For Mitt Romney campaigning has become a family affair. REALLY a family affair. According to news reports as many as 96 of his aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and grandchildren are in Iowa to bolster what is already a huge ground operation for Saturday’s Republican straw poll that far outstrips any other campaign for the party’s 2008 presidential nomination.

Leading the shock troops will be Mr. Romney’s five sons, who have come to occupy an increasingly prominent place in his campaign, giving speeches, being hosts at fund-raisers, blogging and even weighing in on strategy, all the while helping their father paint a not-so-subtle contrast to some of his leading rivals.

It is Mr. Romney’s family portrait that lends him credibility in his appeals to all-important social conservative voters here, many of whom are still grappling with whether to believe he is really one of them despite some of his past positions, like support of abortion rights.
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