Team Romney wins backing from 16 (RNC) committee members

(from The Hill)

Team Romney wins backing from 16 committee members
Former Massachusetts Gov. and presidential aspirant Mitt Romney’s (R) campaign has won the support of 16 Republican National Committee members, according to sources familiar with the campaign.

The list includes Cindy Costa (S.C.), Darrell Crate (Mass.), David Norcross (N.J.), Donna Gosney (W.Va.), Jody Dow (Mass.), June Hartley (Ore.), Louis Pope (Md.), Lynn Windel (Okla.), Peter Cianchette (Maine), Robert Manning (R.I.), Ron Kaufman (Mass.), Sara Gear Boyd (Vt.), Solomon Yue (Ore.), Tom Rath (N.H.), Tony Parker (D.C.) and Vance Day (Ore.).

The endorsements follow yesterday’s announcement of the appointment of Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.) as Romney’s House congressional liaison. Romney’s exploratory committee said McCrery would lead Romney’s “outreach efforts” in the House.

“I am proud to have the support and service of Jim McCrery on my exploratory committee. Congressman McCrery will be a strong voice in the U.S. Capitol for our vision to move America forward. Today’s announcement is just another sign of our growing support,” Romney said in a statement.

The committee also announced the appointment of Reps. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) as co-House congressional liaisons.

“With their help, we will find new solutions for the new generation of challenges confronting our nation,” Romney added.

Camp will also serve as Michigan co-chairman of the Romney for President Exploratory Committee.

When asked about a response to Romney’s announcement of congressional liaisons, a spokesman for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Danny Diaz, said in a statement:

“Sen. McCain enjoys many friendships in the nation’s capital and has many supporters throughout the country. The senator’s exploratory committee is reaching out to leaders at every level of government and his record of common-sense conservatism is receiving strong support.”