Nancy Reagan endorses Romney's bid for president

February 6, 2011: Former first lady Nancy Reagan is helped by Marine Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn as she arrives for a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial of her husband former U.S. President Ronald Reagan during the centennial birthday celebration at the Reagan Library, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP)

Los Angeles – Former first lady Nancy Reagan served lemonade and cookies to Mitt Romney and his wife and offered the Republican presidential nominee something extra -- her endorsement.

The widow of President Ronald Reagan says she is firmly behind Romney. And she says that her "Ronnie" would have liked Romney's business background and what she calls his "strong principles."

Romney and his wife, Ann, visited Mrs. Reagan at her Los Angeles home on Thursday. The Republican presidential candidate has been campaigning and raising money on the West Coast this week.

In a statement issued after the Romneys' visit, Mrs. Reagan said she believes that Romney has the experience and leadership skills that, in her words, "our country so desperately needs."