California dreamin'? Mitt Romney buys La Jolla home

This story lives at the rarely traveled intersection of trophy Southern California real estate and political intrigue. Is it important? Time will tell.

From the incomparable political blog Top of the Ticket: "Mitt Romney, the former Republican presidential candidate, the former Republican governor of Massachusetts and a current silent candidate to become Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate, is also about to become a Californian."

"A Southern Californian."

"The Romneys await closing on a home in La Jolla on the oceanfront, of course. Are there any other kind there?

"According to SignOnSanDiego.com, the savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics and a self-made multimillionaire has decided to pour a few more of his millions into a home in that oceanfront community in the state that just happens to have the most electoral votes.

"Or maybe he just wants to watch the seals sun themselves."

Interesting stuff.

Hat tip: The irrepressible Andrew Malcolm, via e-mail.
Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[jj]

prediction: as the economy goes further and further in the tank, people are going to wish Romney was the nominee or prez. he's the only guy (or gal) who has a clue on the real world working economy.

i'm not much into politics/politicians, but it was very refreshing to see someone for the first time who wasn't a career politician, who had earned his money himself (and not from suing other people), had lived in the real word, had a real family, etc etc. get so far. I'm disapointed he's not in the finals, but perhaps in 4 years.

I'm just so sick of the career politicans on both sides. Give me someone who has a life, and actually wants to go back to it (& the real world) and live the rest of his/her life clinging to what power they can get in whatever office.

[jj]

...last part should read "...RATHER THAN live the rest of his/her life clinging to power..."

[BJ]

Nice of Peter Viles to insinuate political ambition as reason for buying the La Jolla home. Too bad Viles omitted that Romney's son and family live in the area, and that Mitt's wife Ann -- who has MS -- rides horses in the area, one her greatest sources of relief from her debilitating disease.

[Uncle Billy Climbs Mont Pelerin]

Ewww...

Lizards and snakes don't creep me out. This guy does.
Just to keep the blog straight: He is *not* a moron.

Is it illegal to discriminate against politicians with regard to housing? Can't we just say no and reject him like Yakuza's bodies reject million dollar american livers?

[anon]

I agree with JJ. I hope Romney runs for CA GOV. We do not need more career politicians like Villaraigosa whose only expertise is mugging cameras, squiring mistresses, and courting votes.

As this economy tanks we desperately need a man who knows how to turn the ship around and make lemonade from lemons.

If McCain picks him as his VP I might just vote Republican!

[Wilson]

Wait...wait a minute. Did I just read "he's the only guy (or gal) who has a clue on the real world working economy." from JJ?

If this guy had a real clue on the economy, he wouldn't have purchased a home now. He would have rented and waited to buy that same home at half the price in 18 to 24 months.

Even though it doesn't matter because he has multi-millions, money is money and financial decisions are financial decisions. This is a bad one--now you want him to be the guy that runs the country?

[Geri Mander]

BJ: you don't need to buy overinflated beachfront real estate to visit family or ride horses. Horseback riding provides relief from MS. Are you on drugs?

How much did he put down?

[puckhead]

Wilson,

Mitt buying a house in La Jolla is like me super sizing my combo meal number 1 at McD's. Neither of us really need the additional purchase, but what's a few dollars here and there.

[SVS]

wilson, you obviously dont know how money works. when you can buy a house in full like romney, it doesnt matter if you buy that house at the top of the market or the bottom. you have a sound investment either way.

[Wilson]

SVS:
Please give us a full factual or mathematical breakdown on what you wrote. I'm open-minded. If I'm wrong, I am happy to admit it.

What is the difference between overpaying for a home with cash or overpaying period?

[AA]

Maybe Romney is thinking of the political market and not the economical market with this purchase... if he can get the Cali votes if/when he runs for pres, then this is a good investment. Either way he gets my vote.

[sfvrealestate]

"We do not need more career politicians like Villaraigosa whose only expertise is mugging cameras, squiring mistresses, and courting votes"

Uh, anon, Villaraigosa? Didn't you mean to say Schwarzenegger? Oh, right, you said CAREER politicians. His isn't exactly a career. Yet.

[BJ]

Geri Mander -- Who spoke of need? If he can afford it and has a history of owning homes in several states where his family gathers and/or has roots (MA, NH, UT), why is it unimaginable and objectionable that he purchase near his expanding family in CA?

As for horseback riding/dressage helping aleve her MS, it's her own admission. In fact, nearly any story about Ann Romney during the primaries noted as much. The following ABC story notes she pursued "a combination of traditional medicine and alternative therapies" to treat her MS. (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Story?id=
3477592&page=1)

No, I'm not on drugs. I just did simple research and didn't look for reason overreact.

[Massachusetts Voter]

As a resident of Massachusetts for many years I might be able to add a bit of perspective on Mr. Romney. While I don't deny that he is intelligent, capable and wealthy, I would also say that he seems to be all about himself. He would never... I repeat ,... never get re-elected in this state. He did almost nothing for the state during his administration and was away from the state for the majority of his last year in office running for, at that time, his undeclared fun for president of the United States. During this time he made desparaging remarks about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the people who live here (and elected him). I respect the fact that he bought a 'trophy' home in La Jolla. Good for him. But, to the good people of California, I would say 'watch out'. Don't be dooped into thinking that he will solve your financial problems despite his business acumen, if he should run for political office. He is the epitome of a flip-flopper and his number one constitutent is himself. This comment may sound harsh but I would say that most Mass. residents would probably agree with this position. Money can buy a lot of things, but not integrity or honesty...both of which Mr. Romney seems to lack.

[sandiegan]

John McCain & wife own two condos in Coronadoo, bought in 2004 and 2008

Coronado Shores is next to Hotel Del Coronado. The 10-building complex has four pools, eight tennis courts and sits on the beach.

Purchase Prices and Dates: Eighth-floor unit, $2.6 million in September 2004; second-floor unit, $2.1 million in February 2008..

Will Obama and running mate buy property in San Diego just to even things out?

We invite all Presidential candidates and VP candidates to buy RE in San Diego--even if they are politicians.

[150 multiple choice questions]

Puckhead, I don't think McDonald's has supersize anymore...(Damn Spurlock!) have you been lying about those kids of yours?

[Geri Mander]

Sorry to overreact BJ. Mrs. Romney should feel welcome to come and ride her horses and visit the kids. But kids, does dad really have to come to california? Can't you go visit him somewhere else? Can't he get a nice place in Vegas.. It would probably suit him much better.

Wikipedia on Bain Capital: 113% annualized returns over 14 years? Kinda suspect when almost every horse you pick wins, isn't it? Show me someone who produces these kinds of numbers without raping america and you can sign me up. How come the seed money for Bain Capital came from El Salvador? And is he still advising/profiting from Bain capital in any way? Last year they were trying to sell 3com to the Chinese.

[Chris]

Massachusetts Voter, are you familiar with our two current top presumptive candidates for governor? Villaraigosa and Newsom? Both would put Romney to shame in a competition for most self-oriented. OTOH, I'd bet Romney would easily beat them both in a comparison of ability and actual accomplishment. This state is a bona fide joke if you haven't noticed.

[ralph]

Diddo....been in Military 32 years and Gov Mitt Romney is the only guy I trust and look up to in this election...he knows how to spell ECONOMY (as Kramer as endorsed) and he has done things right in his life....he is an example of good....to the liberal media they are threatened by this guy....America wake up; it's not IRAQ I'm worried about, it's our competitiveness in the world and the way certain countries bend the world. Romney gets it and he's smart and uncompromised to get things done for once, rather than inexperience and politicians who have never run anything. Please make a good choice America, ROMNEY is a big 10-4.

[Greg]

I second Massachusetts Voter's opinion. I only spent 2 years in Mass while he was governor, but in that time he was utterly detached and didn't even pretend to care about anything other than setting up his presidential run.

[Steven Rinehart]

I think Romney could win the governship in California. That would sure be unique to have some be governors of both MA and CA.

[CaptainObvious]

Viles makes it seem like it's a surprise that Romney moved to SOUTHERN california. Perhaps after Viles lives here for another year or two, and learns a little bit more about the state, he'll realize that Southern CA is the main Republican stronghold here

[jj]

Don't mean to spoil the anti-Romey Mass voters, but just getting elected in Mass is a HUGE accomplishment. Mass & Cali are racing each other for the most liberal and crazy states in the union. I doubt the uber-liberal state govts would let any type of conservative get anything done in there. I wouldn't expect him to win again either, given that enviornment. Heck, any state that would continually elect Ted Kennedy all these years is obviously troubled. How Romney even won in the first place is beyond me.

SImple point that he is an incrediblly intelligent, hard working, family man. We need more of those types, rather than the purely self-serving career politicians who simply want to hang around and 'live-the-life' of power.

[Cory]

I agree with the above commenter who said he would vote for McCain only if Mittt was on the ticket. Romney would be better on the top of the ticket, but I'd take him as VP as well.

[Don]

From one Massachusetts resident to another: You must be a democrat that had to suffer through Mitt's Governorship, thank God you now have Barack's best friend Duval Patrick. Our new Govenor bought 2 new Cadillacs on day one, hired a personal assistant for his wife (on the Commonwealth) and spent $12,000 on new curtains for the Govenors office, his budget is 8 MILLION DOLLARS higher than Mitt's was in his last year in office! By the way, remember this? "Boston Business Journal-Tuesday, December 31, 2002". "Mitt Romney, who will be sworn in as governor of Massachusetts on Thursday, and his lieutenant governor will not take salaries while in office. Romney is passing up $135,000 a year, while incoming Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey is giving up $120,000. "We face huge challenges in the coming year that require sacrifices of us all,'' Romney said in the release." Before you say that he did it because he had the money, consider that my kid's school, along with most in the state are asking parents to bring in supplies such as soap and toilet paper! How many rolls of toilet paper could Duval have purchased had he kept the old curtains?