Carly Fiorina backers launch super PAC for White House bid

Supporters of Carly Fiorina launched a super PAC on Tuesday, aimed at building support for a 2016 presidential bid by the former Hewlett-Packard CEO.

The political committee was unveiled ahead of Fiorina's speech Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a major gathering that will give thousands of grassroots activists a chance to scrutinize Republicans considering a run for president.

"As Carly decides whether to enter into the 2016 race, Carly For America will continue to build conservative support and help lay the groundwork for a potential presidential candidacy," said Steve DeMaura, a former executive director of the New Hampshire GOP who will lead the super PAC. "Carly has a demonstrated track record of delivering the kind of transformational change -- within bureaucracies and within industries -- we need to get our country and our economy back on track."

Fiorina got positive reviews for her speech last month at the Iowa Freedom Summit, another closely watched event featuring potential GOP presidential candidates. In that speech, Fiorina was one of the few speakers to take direct aim at Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is widely expected to seek the White House again.

"Like Hillary Clinton, I too, have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles around the globe," Fiorina said to cheers in Iowa. "But unlike her, I have actually accomplished something. Mrs. Clinton, flying is an activity -- not an accomplishment."

Fiorina was forced out as Hewlett-Packard's CEO in 2005. She ran an unsuccessful race for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and was defeated by Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer.

DeMaura was political director of the Unlocking Potential PAC, which Fiorina created to draw more women into politics. Carly For America will draw on veterans of conservative campaigns -- including Greg Mueller, who advised presidential candidates Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes, and Keith Appell, who worked on the Forbes campaign and previously advised Pat Toomey and Rick Scott.

Carly For America released a video on Fiorina, which included soundbites from the Iowa speech.