Cheney hosts Romney fundraiser

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., July 13 (UPI) -- Mitt Romney broke from his campaign avoidance of former President George W. Bush and ex-Vice President Dick Cheney to attend an event at Cheney's Wyoming home.

Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, met with donors at a country club during a private reception for more than 200 guests that was followed by a dinner at Cheney's house near Jackson Hole Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Romney had not previously appeared publicly with Cheney and has not appeared with Bush during the 2012 campaign, the Times said. While Bush and Cheney are admired in some GOP quarters, they are unpopular among independents and moderates, two voting blocs Romney is trying to woo.

Cheney, who served in four GOP administrations, said the former Massachusetts governor was well-suited to tackle the challenges a president must face.

"So I've some strong feelings about what we need in a president, about how difficult the job is and the kind of challenges a president has to deal with," Cheney said. "Looking back and reflecting on that, I think there's only one man to be president of the United States who meets those requirements, and that's Governor Mitt Romney."

Donors were flown in from around the country, the Times said. The reception and dinner were expected to raise more than $4 million.