Governor Mitt Romney, originally uploaded by sethrubenstein.

Operatives for John McCain are buzzing about two news stories tonight that suggest Mitt Romney is paying the way for college students to attend CPAC in order to boost his standing in the 2008 straw poll. The articles, one by Jonathan Martin in The Politico and the other by David Kirkpatrick in the New York Times, give McCain an opportunity to dismiss the significance of the straw poll as merely bought and paid for by Romney.

The situation is reminiscent of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last year in Memphis, Tenn. At that event, home-state Sen. Bill Frist bussed in supporters, propelling him to victory in the straw poll.

Romney’s campaign acknowledges the plan, but it’s significance — it involves a little over 200 students — could mean little to his chances in the straw poll. More than 5,000 attendees are expected.

Nevertheless, on a night when McCain’s campaign was battling allegations from CPAC organizers that he tried to stage his own event at the Omni Shoreham, the Romney news is a welcome distraction. (McCain consultant Patrick Hynes of Ankle Biting Pundits declined to comment on the Human Events report about McCain. However, he did say that he contacted the hotel to inquire about hosting a happy hour, which may have prompted the confusion with CPAC organizers.)