Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert endorses Mitt Romney

Speaker Hastert backs Romney
by Holly Klaft | The Flint Journal
Tuesday January 15, 2008, 8:35 AM

GRAND BLANC -- On the evening before Michigan's primary, Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert had words of encouragement for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign volunteers.

"You're work getting people to the polls and getting them to check the right delegate has paid off," Hastert told about 20 campaign volunteers and supporters Monday at Romney's Grand Blanc campaign operations center, 5225 E. Cook Road. "We can't do it without folks like you."

Hastert -- who also has worked with Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain during his political career -- said Romney has the background and presidential presence needed to lead the country.

He praised Romney's ability to bring delegates to the table to resolve issues quickly.

Hastert said he's confident Romney will gain the support of Michigan voters in Tuesday's primary. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, came in second in Iowa and New Hampshire.

He stopped in Grand Blanc early Monday to speak to area students at Grand Blanc High School.

"I think we can win Michigan," Hastert said. "There's a good feeling and a good presence and we're moving forward."