[Before I begin this posting, I want to stress and make absolutely clear that at no time have I ever accepted any money from Mitt Romney or Romney for President, Inc. for my endorsement, nor is it solicited by them. These are my views as a registered voter of the Great State of New Hampshire in the First in the Nation Primary.]

Until yesterday I was an undecided Republilcan voter in the New Hampshire Primary.

Yesterday was when I had the opportunity to see Governor Romney in an intimate setting at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. The occasion: an "Ask Mitt Anything" campaign appearance which is just as it sounds. He promises that anyone can ask anything, but he says he may not be able to answer.

I thought his candor and his honesty were something I've missed in the leadership of this country.

When I listen to Mitt Romney, I believe that he wants to serve his country because he wants to change it for the better and not because he's some kind of shameless opportunist.

I believe Mitt Romney is a leader. I believe he can and will put the right people around him to get things done in Washington and I believe he will manage them effectively.

I believe he is thoughtful man who is willing to listen to others, even if he doesn't agree with them.

I believe that his business experience can help improve things like our Federal Budget, energy independence and the health care system in America.

I believe that he wants to secure the borders of this nation to help ensure our sovereignty and, by doing so, also ensure our greatness as a society.

I believe Mitt Romney can help make America great once again and i believe that Mitt Romney is the best choice for the next President of the United States of America.

Oh, but I can hear all the "nay-sayers" now...

"But Mitt is a flip-flopper."
I respect a man who can look at a position he's had and realize he may very well be wrong. It takes courage to do that and even more courage to be willing to stand up and take the hit. Mitt Romney doesn't change his opinions with the direction of the wind--not like the Bay State's Junior Senator, anyway.

"That Romney guy is a Mormon."
Yes, he is. I've known many Mormons in my life and they've been some of the kindest and most honorable people I've ever had the good fortune to meet. I lived with friends of the family for three years while I lived in Denver and they opened their home and their hearts to me and they happened to be Mormon. His faith is important to him, but I believe he's an American running for his country's highest office first.

"He's too slick and polished."
Perhaps we've become too accustomed to a leader who is unvarsnished and is a dreadful public speaker. Mitt Romney is intelligent, articulate, refined, polished and is an outstanding speaker and communicator. That's the kind of leader you want representing you, isn't it? It will be refreshing to have a President who doesn't speak in five or six word bursts or continually put his foot in his mouth.

"But I don't agree with him on every position."
You know what, neither do I! I have a couple of notable disagreements with Governor Romney--and especially on gay marriage. However, for me, he's still the best candidate in this race. You know, there's an old political axiom--and I don't know who said it--but the only candidate you'll ever see completely eye-to-eye with is you...once you decide to run for office. I wish Mitt had different stances on a couple of issues, sure, but I still believe he can lead this country effectively.

As a New Hampshire native, I've had time to watch and observe Mitt Romney as he governed the Commonweath of Massachusetts. I saw him beat a candidate from the Democrat establishment in a state that's got an overwheming Democrat majority--and he did it 50% of the vote. One out of every two voters who went to the polls cast a vote for Mitt Romney including a good number of Democrats.

I also saw him try to turn around a state in a liberal tailspin. During his watch in Massachusetts, he balanced budgets. He lowered taxes. He left Massachusetts with nearly a billion dollar budget surplus. Unheard of things in the most liberal state in the union.

So, yesterday when I saw the Governor and I asked him my question, I didn't get an answer that was politically correct. I got the truth. After the event, I shook his hand and he thanked me for coming out and I got the sense that he was the "real deal."

When I go to the polls in the New Hampshire Primary--whenever that is since it hasn't been scheduled yet--I will happily, enthusiastically and proudly cast my vote for Mitt Romney.

You can learn more about Governor Romney online at www.mittromney.com and if you have the opportunity to attend an "Ask Mitt Anything," I would whole-heartedly encourage you to do so.

William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com