Romney's considerable retail skills on display

A confident Mitt Romney made a retail stop Tuesday at Geno’s Chowder Shop in Portsmouth and all but asked the crowd to run up the score for him in New Hampshire.

“I want to send a message coming from New Hampshire,” Romney told a crowd of about 225 people. Later he reiterated his desire that the outcome send a “loud and clear” message. He asked supporters to think of people they know who might have trouble getting to the polls and to bring them along to vote.

Geno’s seats about 25, and after squeezing himself inside to shake some hands, Romney spoke outdoors, using Portsmouth Harbor at high tide as his backdrop.

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, who traveled with Romney for the day, introduced Romney in three minutes of remarks. Romney then spoke for five minutes. Romney brushed aside a heckler – soon removed by the Portsmouth PD – then took 20 minutes to exit the venue, shaking hands, receiving and giving hugs, posing for photos, and signing autographs for all comers. The whole visit took 45 minutes.

Romney drew nearly 10 people for every seat available at Geno's in Portsmouth

Geno’s is an off-the-beaten-path Portsmouth soup and sandwich mainstay well known for its GOP leanings. Behind the counter, the Marconi family displays photos of matriarch Evelyn with former President George H.W. Bush along with photos of President Reagan and the Romneys. The shop was closed for the week but opened specially to host Romney’s visit.

Fergus@ferguscullen.com, December 27, 2011