ComMITTed to winning in 2012

It's official. Mitt Romney is officially a candidate for President in 2012.

Romney's formal entrance into the 2012 race is good news for the Republican Party. The GOP is in dire need of a candidate with Romney's credentials in the field.

We liked the tone of today's announcement. Romney's 2012 campaign started outside on a sunny farm in New Hampshire with country music playing, the candidate in rolled-up shirt sleeves dishing out chili with his hair whipping in the wind. It's a stark and welcome difference from 2008, when a formally-dressed and perfectly-coiffed Romney announced his previous candidacy from inside a darkened, stage-lit Henry Ford Museum.

At the same time, Romney's speech today showed that he is willing to talk tough about where President Obama is failing, and that's also a good thing. We think Romney stands an excellent chance of winning the GOP nomination. He's got great name recognition, his fundraising is good, and he has a record of success in the private sector.

Off to the races.

Meredith Warren talks presidential politics on NECN's Morning Show

Meredith Warren made a return visit to NECN's Morning Show this morning to talk presidential politics with anchor Steve Aveson.

Today's topics included Mitt Romney's scheduled announcement as an official presidential candidate this week, campaign stops by Michele Bachmann in the Granite State, and Sarah Palin's upcoming bus tour.

You can watch the full video by clicking on the image below (or use this direct link to NECN's Web site for video):