Romney gives no sign of changing strategy despite eroding support

ROCHESTER NH — Mitt Romney is giving no indication his campaign will change strategy amid signs his support in New Hampshire is eroding.

A Suffolk University tracking poll showed the former Massachusetts governor dropping in support for the fourth day in a row, coming in with 35 percent in Sunday’s poll compared to 39 percent in Saturday’s poll.

And Romney was subject to repeated attacks from his Republican rivals in Sunday morning’s Facebook/NBC News debate.

{mosads}He showed no signs of concern, however, at a rally in Rochester, N.H., Sunday afternoon.

Romney, who had changed out of the suit he wore for the debate into casual clothes, made no mention of his GOP rivals and barely mentioned the debate, just asking supporters if they watched the Saturday night debate or the Detroit Lions football game.

Of the two debates scheduled on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, he joked: “I felt we shouldn’t have stopped but gone through the night until morning.”

Otherwise, Romney delivered his standard stump speech, talking about his family and his business experience.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who endorsed Romney and has been traveling through the state with him, told The Hill he didn’t need to make any changes to his campaign.

“His strategy is right on,” she said. “He showed he is ready to take on Barack Obama.”

She noted of the debate that he “handled the attacks so well. No one got in any punches.”

The senator, who won her 2010 primary by less than 1 percent, said she wouldn’t be surprised if the final results Tuesday showed a close race.

Asked about her prediction, she said: “It’ll be a lot stronger win than in Iowa.” Romney won those caucuses by a mere eight votes.

Romney, as he has been doing over the past few days, reminded the crowd they could take nothing for granted. “I need your vote,” he said.

The crowd at the Rochester rally filled the city hall to capacity, and there were almost an equal number of supporters and members of the press.

Several Occupy protesters were outside the venue, as were a few Ron Paul supporters.