At peace in Massachusetts

BOSTON — It's a slow day on the campaign trail for Mitt Romney.

After a morning meeting on health-care issues at his home in suburban Belmont, he's supposed to head over to the Romney-for-Governor headquarters.

But there's a change of plans.

It seems Romney is stuck at home, waiting for a plumber to unclog a toilet that stopped up during a party he threw the night before for several dozen of the Republican faithful. True to his thrifty nature, he'd already tried to fix it himself — without success.

No one else is home, so the man dubbed the "White Knight" when he swept into Utah three years ago to take over the troubled 2002 Winter Games has resigned himself to sitting where he'll be able to hear the doorbell ring.

Away from the nonstop action of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, Romney doesn't appear to be in any hurry to pick up the pace in his battle to become the Republican governor of Massachusetts, a largely Democratic state.

Told he seems remarkably relaxed for a candidate, Romney smiles from his spot on a cushy sofa in the home's comfortable family room, decorated with portraits of his and wife Ann's five sons.

"For people who are defined in their own mind by whether they win or lose an election — or who have to win the election to pay their mortgage — it can be a very intense and anxious time," Romney said.

"I know who I am. I am running because I think I can be helpful to average citizens in this state. If they disagree, I can live with that. I think they'd be making a big mistake if they didn't select me, but that's their choice."

'Time will tell'

Someone else was the choice of Massachusetts voters when Romney took his first stab at politics eight years ago. Of course, he was running against U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, the head of the nation's Democratic political dynasty.

Utahns no doubt remember the race because Romney was hit with questions about his faith. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a state where the Catholic Church dominates.

So far, there's been little talk of what it would mean to have a member of the LDS Church in the "Corner Office," as Massachusetts residents like to refer to the governor's office.

"Time will tell," Romney said.