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?

[Mev]

I'll agree that many here thought Mitt wasn't giving his full attention to being governor, I'll make 2 statements in his defense:

1) He was blocked from making greater strides by a super-majority in the legislature that ignored him and overrode him at will. I believe that at some point he decided the best way to help Massachusetts was to get elected president.
2) Lets say he didn't give the governorship his full attention. With that limited attention and legislative road block, he still did a much more effective job than Gov. "Casinos are the answer" Patrick.

This country (or California, for that matter) could do much worse than Gov. Romney. Massachusetts already is.

[Michael]

Kind of nice if you can spend time in La Jolla and pick up some electoral votes!! Smart man, Romney!!!

[Jed Merrill]

Romney for VP, and then President!

There is no candidate that I respect more for his intelligence and preparation to lead a country, let alone this one.

If McCain cares about the future of America and wants to balance his ticket with someone who will appeal to conservatives, Romney is THE choice.

Anyone who says he is selfish hasn't been paying attention. He is a true public servant, and the last several jobs he has taken, including Governor of Massachusetts and head of the 2002 Olympics he has refused payment.

I've been watching him for six years now, and if voters can't see who he really is and that he is really sincere about his hopes for America, they are disenfranchised from the cranium out.

[Craig Jeffcoat]

Talk is cheap when it comes to politics. I would rather look at a politician's resume to decide if he has what it takes to both lead and get things done. Mitt Romney has the best resume both in the public and private sectors. The other presidential canditates were U.S. senators. What do they manage? Probably a staff of 30! They legislate and spend our money. Gee, is that why we have such a huge deficit? They don't govern or manage! Mitt Romney is the only person that understands money. I would trust him with mine! I would probably turn my $1,000 into $10,000! He also has a great personal life and is happily married to his wife. He would also be great with foreign policy. He is the only candidate who speaks a foreign language and has lived in a foreign country. He speaks French and lived in Fance for two years! He is just the person to "unite" our allies. He could bring Europe and the U.S. together as opposed to Bush and McCain who are both devisive! If Romney runs for California's governor, he'll have my vote! I hope he can get something done in Sacramento despite our corrupt senate and legislature and our state government that is run by the state employees unions (teachers, nurses, prison guards, etc). I am tired of these "tails" wagging the dog. If Romney is the dog, I hope he can "wag the tail!"
CJ

[greg]

His son lives in San Diego, so maybe he just wants to be closer to the grandkids?

[Tiffany]

I LOVE reading the comments. It is refreshing to hear from people who have actually lived under Romney's stewardship.

I'm a big fan of Romney. Not so much for McCain, and I too, agree that I will vote for McCain if Romney is his VP and also, I agree they will balance each other out. It would be a smart choice for McCain to pick Mitt.

And this article was dumb. Why are we even talking about where/when someone chooses to buy another home? Who cares?! When Mitt is VP/Gov/Pres, and if he spends PUBLIC money wasteful (curtains?), then I will be first in line to complain, but for right now, Romney is just like us, nothing suspicious of his purchase. Even if he WERE to be doing it to gain voters in Cali, good for him. But life is too short to speculate on something not so important as his home-buying decisions.

[JamesD]

I've lived in Mass. since 1999. Mitt Romney was an outstanding governor. He righted the sinking fiscal ship, stood tall and strong against the judiciary's unilateral move to legalize gay marriage, and accomplished a truly astounding amount while continually opposed by a democratic legislature. I happen to know one of Mitt's sons well, have seen Mitt repeatedly in person (though I haven't formally met him) and am a close friend of his next door neighbor. Their family is among of the best I've ever seen, and the strongest evidence of Mitt's level-headedness, sacrifice for others, goodness, and honesty. In his 30+ years in Mass., he has done enormous amounts of personal community service (this never makes the press for some reason), created thousands of jobs, and helped move a liberal loony-house of a state toward sanity. He has the clearest thinking of all candidates on the range of issues, from foreign policy to domestic. BTW, all the nonsense about flip-flopping is wrong. The only issue he has made a significant change on in abortion, and that he has justified quite well. If you honestly read what his *actual* positions were on other issues, not the way the media has reinterpreted them, and you'll see this clearly. Our nation desperately needs an experienced, intelligent, compentent, successful leader. Mitt is the best choice for VP and president 2012.