Romney campaigns in Mo. while Deep South votes

[March 13, 2012]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- After urging Mississippi and Alabama Republicans to speed him toward the presidential nomination, Mitt Romney is campaigning in Missouri ahead of its Saturday caucuses.

The former Massachusetts governor made a final pitch to Alabama voters on Monday in Mobile, where he appeared with comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

Romney repeated his familiar jabs at President Barack Obama, saying the president has botched policy on energy, taxes, health care and other issues.

On a rain-soaked morning, Romney did not mention Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul by name. But he said his GOP rivals spent their careers in Washington, rendering them less able to fix the federal government's problems. Romney cited his own career as a non-Washington businessman, governor and Olympic Games administrator. He said he knows how to fix complex problems.

Romney is scheduled Tuesday to speak on jobs and the economy at a morning event in the Kirkwood Park area of St. Louis, and to hold an evening event in Liberty, Mo., north of Kansas City.

Romney spent part of Monday raising money at private events in Florida. He planned to spend much of Wednesday and Thursday raising money in New York before traveling to Puerto Rico on Friday. Puerto Rico's Republican primary is Sunday.

[Associated Press; By CHARLES BABINGTON]

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