Brownback Writes of 'Hatred' of Clintons

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney talks with reporters gathered at a news conference in Coraopolis. Pa., before attending a private fundraiser in Pittsburgh, Thursday, June 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic - AP)

The host committee missed that first goal by $2 million but has since closed the shortfall by $500,000. The convention is scheduled Aug. 25-28, 2008.

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NEW YORK (AP) _ New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared himself in "great health" on Friday and said his heart surgery years ago, which was not disclosed until this week, was so minor that he was out on the golf course soon after.

In his first public comments about the 2000 surgery, in which he had two coronary arterial stents installed to relieve blockage, the 65-year-old mayor brushed it off as a routine operation.

"It's a very common thing, and I'm in great health and there are lots of people my age that have it," Bloomberg told reporters. "My recollection is I went out and played golf the next day _ it was that serious."

The news surfaced this week as Bloomberg has been mentioned as a potential independent candidate for president.

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Associated Press writers Glen Johnson in Boston, Megan Reichgott in Chicago, Brian Bakst in Minneapolis and Laura Wides-Munos in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., contributed to this report.