Mitt Romney greeting military veterans

MARIETTA, GA – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has surged ahead in the polls, following his pledge that, if elected, he would not only refuse to cut the Department of Defense, but would personally pay for the entire US defense budget.

Saying it was time for "every American to do their part", Romney made the pledge while touring the Lockheed-Martin aircraft plant in Marietta, Georgia.

"As one of America's leading poverty-deficient individuals, the least I could do in contributing to balance the budget and supporting our troops was dipping into my rainy day fund," Romney said to an applauding crowd of military veterans. "I can always wait until next year before buying another island."