Romney For President Office Opens in McLean

The Romney for President campaign office formally opened in downtown McLean on Tuesday, one of more than 20 offices around the battleground state of Virginia.

Pat Mullins, chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, said at the event "we're spending  a lot of time in Fairfax. In order for Romney or Obama to win, they have to win Virginia."

"Virginia is a battleground. Northern Virginia is the epicenter of the battleground," he said.

Jay McConville, chairman of the Fairfax County Republicans, went so far as to say "we're running a ground game like no one has ever seen."

"We're making record voter contacts on the phone and in person. Walking in neighborhoods," said McConville, describing the traditional "ground game" for candidates.

The McLean office opening, at 6867 Elm St., was part of a day-long series of  "Women for Mitt" events in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.

The speakers at the McLean opening were all women: Susan Allen, wife of GOP Senate candidate George Allen; Jean Ann Bolling, wife of Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling; Tiero Cuccinelli, wife of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli; and Carolyn Wolf, wife of U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf.

Beth Myers, a long-time high-ranking Romney staffer, who headed his vice-presidential search was the keynote speaker. She told the crowd estimated at more than 100, two things about the very secretive vice-presidential search:

• "My job was really hard" and it "included your governor," a reference to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

• The vice presidential running mate will be named between now and the third night of the GOP national convention that opens in Tampa Bay, Fla, Aug. 27.

Virginia Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34th) hosted the opening. She heads the McLean office. In addition, she and Lt. Gov. Bolling are co-chairs of Romney's Virginia campaign.

Comstock told the audience she first met Romney in 2002 when she worked at the U.S. Justice Department and Romney headed the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

"The McLean office will be one of the busiest offices," she said. The office opened about a month ago. "We just wanted to have a celebration for our volunteers."