Back Channels: In Pa., Romney has avid base of supporters

Just how well did Mitt Romney do in New Hampshire?

This is a primary-night post by Rich Lowry, editor of National Review:

"The exit polls tell the tale of strength across-the-board: Romney won men and women; he won everyone over age 40; he won all education groups; he won everyone mak[ing] $30,000 and up; he won Republicans by an impressive 49 percent; he won moderates, somewhat conservatives, and very conservatives; he won voters who support and who are neutral on the tea party; he won Born Again's and Non-Born Again's; he won Catholics and Protestants; he won voters who think leaders should compromise and voters who think leaders should stick by their principles; he won in urban, suburban, and rural areas."

This all might be a surprise to people focusing on the divisions in the Republican Party, but not to Pennsylvanians who expect Romney to have similar across-the-board support when the commonwealth holds its primary on April 24.

Local supporters cite three reasons for backing Romney: his business experience, his ability to beat President Obama in the general election, and his nonideological approach to governing.

The Independence Hall Tea Party Association endorsed Romney on Jan. 2, the day before the Iowa caucus. Don Adams, one of the group's founders, said the vote was overwhelming.

"Mitt Romney is a man who has a great deal of experience in both the public and private sector, and we believe that his support of free markets, and of meritocracy, are in line with the tea party message," Adams said.

The endorsement has drawn criticism from other conservatives, including that the group is "RINO," Republican in Name Only.

Adams reminds critics that the tea party is not part of the GOP. His group has endorsed Republicans, Democrats, and independents in previous races, and puts principle over party.

"We consider ourselves conservative - for limited government, lower taxes, and free markets and enterprise," Adams said. "Mitt Romney is not a perfect vessel, but he can carry out the mission of winning the White House and changing the direction of the country toward where we'd like to see it go."

Jim Scherrer, a business owner in Chester County, decided a year ago Romney was the right candidate. The way Romney has handled himself since, in debates and elsewhere, has only reinforced Scherrer's first impressions.

"I couldn't be more proud of any candidate," Scherrer said. "He's poised, gracious, and honorable, and he attempts to listen to everyone up there."

Scherrer, who calls himself fiscally conservative and socially moderate, started an informal network of supporters last year, Romney 2012 - PA Grassroots Team Leaders, which has grown to more than 100 people statewide who are organizing for the former Massachusetts governor.

The issue that unites them is the economy.

"Most of the people who have joined are business-oriented fiscal conservatives who want to see business in Pennsylvania grow," Scherrer said. Though he himself is a Republican, not all members are.

"We're a Romney group first," Scherrer said. "Certainly, there are more Republican members, but there are lots of independents and crossover Democrats for Romney. I think we'll see more of that."

A Republican member, Karen Ash of Bala Cynwyd, is a strong conservative who isn't concerned about talk of Romney as a flip-flopper on social issues.

"He shares my values," Ash said. "He's pro-life, he's conservative, and that's enough for me."

Ted DelGaizo, a Republican from Downingtown, said in an e-mail, "I prefer Romney because I believe he is best qualified for the job, particularly his business background . . . He can attract independents and Reagan Democrats and therefore has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama. . . . Electability has to be number one."

One of the Democrats in the group is Downingtown business owner Craig Hunter. Four years ago, Hunter wasn't a citizen, but he was "absolutely" for Obama. Now that he can vote, he won't support the president's reelection.

"He let ideology govern totally what he does," Hunter said. "People didn't agree with Obamacare, and he did that. Now we need jobs, and he won't approve the Keystone Pipeline."

Hunter recalls how ideological swings from right to left hurt his native Britain, and he sees the same dynamic here, first under George W. Bush and now with Obama.

"Both presidents alienated large portions of the population," limiting their ability to address problems, he said.

Hunter sees Romney as a consensus builder, both from the candidate's years in business and also as a Republican governor of an overwhelmingly Democratic state.

"He can work with the other side and stop this ideological thing," Hunter said. "You can't make Congress or the president do what they don't want to do, but you can sure as heck negotiate something near where we need to go."

There's a long road to travel between New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, but right now it appears Romney has plenty of friends in the Keystone State ready to help him continue his across-the-board success.

Chat live with Kevin Ferris at 1 p.m. Monday at www.philly.com