Tough challenge for wealthy Romney

Mitt Romney has moved a step closer to clinching the Republican presidential candidacy after his Super Tuesday victory in the key Ohio primary.

But his failure to make a clean break away from rival Rick Santorum means he is not yet in the clear.

The mud-slinging between the competing Grand Old Party camps looks set to continue, with every aspect of Mr Romney’s character scrutinised for cracks.

In his favour, the former governor of Massachusetts can rely on a good organisational structure and a solid financial base to support him.

He has money, and lots of it. Estimated to be in command of a personal wealth exceeding 200 million dollars, his team has access to the largest campaign fund - which is crucial in the primary stage.

The 64-year-old has in effect been running for the last five years, having failed to win the ticket last time round.

And with his film-star looks, charisma and smooth manner, many observers have been led to say that he looks the part.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 12 1947, Willard Mitt Romney is the son of former Michigan governor and 1968 presidential candidate George Romney, and 1970 US Senate candidate Lenore Romney.

After starting at Stanford University, Mr Romney served in France for 30 months as a missionary for LDS Church.

He married his high school sweetheart Ann in 1969 and the couple have five sons and 16 grandchildren together.

In 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has more recently fought breast cancer.

After his missionary work, Mr Romney attended Brigham Young University and, in 1975, graduated from a joint JD/MBA programme co-ordinated between Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School.

He was named a Baker Scholar for graduating in the top 5% of his business school class.

Mr Romney has spent most of his working life in the private sector, rather than in politics.

After working as a business consultant for several years, he founded investment firm Bain Capital in 1984.

His track record led to him being drafted in to head the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games Organising Committee, where he was praised for reducing its budget and restoring public confidence.

From his success there, he went on to become a Republican governor in the Democratic state of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, and pledged to use his experience to clean up the “mess” of Washington as president.

Although his success as a businessman means he is seen as the most qualified candidate to jump-start the nation’s economy, he is mistrusted by the Republican Party’s evangelical wing, due in part to his Mormon faith.

In addition, past positions on gay rights, abortion and healthcare have critics accusing him of flip-flopping on the issues and kowtowing to the right.

He has also been bizarrely lambasted for his ability to speak French. Among the body-blows struck by his competitors in the race was an advert released by rival Newt Gingrich, warning that “just like John Kerry, he speaks French too”.

This attempt to link him with the former Democratic candidate highlights the challenge Mr Romney faces in proving he is tough enough to take on President Barack Obama.

It is a challenge he has yet to accomplish.