Governor Acknowledges National Ambitions
       Asked by reporters this morning in Dorchester about his recent out-of-state forays and speaking engagements, Gov. Mitt Romney said party leaders from both sides of the aisle commonly travel the nation, but added that it would be a “fair characterization” to say that he is testing the waters for a run for president.
       “We go to each other’s states to raise money and to speak on our behalf. If someone said, well the governor’s testing national waters, that’s a fair characterization, but I’m planning on running for governor. Time will tell. I’ll make a formal decision and announcement in the fall.”
       Asked again by FOX25 political editor Joe Battenfeld whether that means he’s testing the national waters, Romney said: “That’s a term that’s been applied. I’m out speaking across the country and seeing what it’s like in the rest of the nation. But nothing’s changed. My job keeps me here.”
       Romney has delivered several major addresses to Republican groups around the country in recent months, fueling speculation that he will seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Massachusetts elects its next governor in November 2006. Democrats Thomas Reilly, the attorney general, and Deval Patrick, a former federal civil rights law enforcer, have announced they are running for governor.