No one can say that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney doesn't make a grand entrance.

While filing today for the First-in-the-Nation primary, Romney's campaign called out all the troops – and the halls of the Statehouse were lined with them – cheering for their favorite Republican presidential candidate.

Arriving about 45 minutes late, Romney thanked his New Hampshire supporters for being with him during the filing process, stating, "It's an honor to put my name on this paper and, hopefully, this time, it will take."

"I hope to become the nominee of our party and, hopefully, president of the United States," he said.

Romney thanked Secretary of State William Gardner for his tenacious defense of the primary and signed the ceremonial ballot, next to former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu, House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt, former House Speaker Doug Scamman and others.

After filing, and thanking his supporters, Romney met with some of his campaign people in Gardner's office and then headed out to the front of the Statehouse for a short press conference.