Mitt Romney Writing Political Book: Launch of Presidential Bid?

Republican Mitt Romney signed a deal to write a book entitled "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness." The book is scheduled to be published by St. Martin's Press in March 2010, which is primary season for the midterm elections.

Romney's book, which was reported by The New York Times, will be a platform to lay out his political agenda. The 304-page manuscript details Romney's vision on strengthening the economy, improving education, creating jobs, reforming health care and conserving energy.

The former governor of Massachusetts, who ran for president in 2008, leads early polls for the 2012 White House race against President Obama. But, without a current public office, Romney needs a means to keep up his public profile, other than the occasional interview or op-ed. So, a book tour – which involves national media interviews and speaking events -- would provide him that opportunity.

In politics, the political agenda or memoir book is considered the first step to launching a presidential bid.

Almost all the presidential candidates in the 2008 election wrote books leading up the campaign, including: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), former Sen. John Edwards (D-S.C.). And, Romney's first book, a memoir entitled "Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games," which was published in 2004, was released in paperback in 2007

With his successful fundraising -- his Free and Strong America PAC took in $1,924,373 in the first six months of 2009 – and now a political agenda book, Romney seems to be pulling out ahead of the pack of Republican contenders for the race to the White House in 2012.

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