SALEM – On a day known for cookouts and kickoffs to the political campaign season, presidential contender Mitt Romney touted his grassroots support yesterday.

Having started his campaign months before the summer's end celebration, Romney said he's ready for when Fred Thompson makes his White House candidacy announcement later this week.

"He'll actually add to the race and the interest in our race," Romney said. "I'm not somebody that was well known seven months ago, but I've been able to grow a great grass-roots campaign." Knowing that the former Tennessee senator intends to announce his candidacy a day after tomorrow's presidential debate at the University of New Hampshire, Romney offered advice for the race's newest candidate.

"I think what I'd say to Fred is, 'Why the hurry?' Why not slow it down and maybe think about coming in December (or) January?" After earler stops in Moultonborough, Ashland and Milford's own Labor Day parade, Romney said support for him at the Salem parade eclipsed the number of supporters for the Democratic candidates present.

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"About 150 -- we had more people standing with signs for me than the next two guys combined - Barack Obama and Chris Dodd," he said.

Whether they've entered late or early, candidates working hard at the local level are what will last in this race, Romney said.

"There's no substitute for meeting people face-to-face, and that builds the kind of support that lasts," he said.

Up-close greetings with the former Massachusetts governor were aplenty at the cookout being held to raise money for the Salem Republican town committee.

Making his way through the cookout's eating area outside the Salem- Derry Elks, Romney greeted supporters, but he stopped to flip burgers and hot dogs while talking politics with local Republicans Chuck Morse and state Sen. Michael Downing.

Revving the crowd of more than 100 with mentions of Clay Buchholz' no-hitter on Saturday, Romney took aim at Democratic leadership and legislation since the 2006 election.

"I think they're overplaying their hand," Romney told supporters.

"They expect America to take a sharp left-hand turn, and it's not going to happen."