WASHINGTON — White House hopeful Mitt Romney formed a Global Competitiveness Policy Advisory Group Wednesday, tapping Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, as one of his advisers.

Romney, a Republican, created the group to advise him on issues and policies needed to make the United States more competitive in this global economy, the campaign said Wednesday.

"Today, our economy faces unprecedented challenges from abroad," said the former Massachusetts governor — best known in Utah for running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. "Maintaining our competitiveness will demand a commitment from Washington to cut the tax and regulatory burdens, better our education system, make health care more affordable and accessible, and end our dependence on foreign oil."

In addition to Bennett, Romney has 15 other advisers in the group, including Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay; William B. Harrison Jr., the former chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase; and Michael E. Porter, the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School.

"I have spent my Senate career looking at how issues like banking and accounting standards, entitlement and health-care reform, and demographics can impact U.S. global competitiveness," Bennett said in a statement. "I'm happy to bring this perspective to the group and look forward to working with Gov. Romney in this capacity."

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