Mitt Romney money machine calls in cavalry

Mitt Romney’s money machine is sending a message to the Washington establishment: Help.

GOP operatives thought it would cost Romney about $50 million to secure the nomination, but coming off a bruising few months and with a slog still ahead, some say it could cost closer to $75 million.

Romney has put out a rallying cry to his supporters in Congress, asking them to kick in cash and get their best donors on board, too. He asked the 80 Republican lawmakers who have endorsed him to raise $10,000 each for a fundraiser at the end of the month in Washington. By law, they can personally contribute $2,000 from their reelection committees; the rest would need to come from their supporters.

The call for cash from new donors — including members of Congress and their friends, no less — suggests the campaign is trying to broaden its fundraising network and stave off donor fatigue. The end of the primary is just the beginning of a faceoff with President Barack Obama’s well-funded operation.

Bringing in reinforcements is particularly important, given Romney’s burn rate. In February, reports showed Romney spending cash more than twice as fast as he was raising it. The Romney presidential campaign and the super PAC supporting him brought in $13.1 million in January but spent $32.7 million that same month.