Breaking News: Mitt Romney to rejoin GOP race?

Josh Romney, one of former Gov. Mitt Romney's five sons, says it's "possible" his father may rejoin the race for the White House, as a vice presidential candidate or as the Republican Party's standard-bearer if the campaign of Sen. John McCain falters.

The 60-year-old Romney, who "suspended" his campaign for the GOP nomination after a disappointing showing on Super Tuesday and a week later endorsed McCain, was taking a break from politics this weekend on a skiing vacation in Utah with his wife, Ann, according to his 32-year-old son.

The elder Romney, who was unable to assemble sufficient conservative support to thwart McCain, has made no public comment since the McCain camp was rocked ...

... by a controversial article in the New York Times last week first revealed in December in a posting on the Drudge Report.

The article, which was criticized even within journalism circles and by the newspaper's own ombudsman for its anonymous sourcing and lack of documentation, implied that the 71-year-old presumptive Republican presidential nominee had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist and did favors for her corporate clients.

McCain and the lobbyist have unequivocally denied the charges, and numerous conservatives, once hesitant to support the more moderate senator, have flocked to his support, at least against the liberal Times.

However, subsequent published reports have contradicted some of McCain's denials of meetings with corporate executives while he chaired the Senate Commerce Committee, and if further revelations occurred, it could raise questions about the Arizonan's viability as the GOP nominee.

Because he suspended rather than terminated his campaign, Romney still retains control of the nearly 300 delegates he's already won. Another former governor, Mike Huckabee, remains in the race and is nearing Romney's delegate totals, though few give him a realistic chance of catching McCain, with more than 900 delegates.

On some Sunday morning talk shows, Huckabee maintained his belief in "miracles" and said the race was not over until someone gets 1,191 votes.

After a full year of campaigning for his father around the country, Josh Romney, who is the only Romney clan member to reside in Utah, is reported to be considering a race for the House of Representatives as a Republican representing Utah's 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democrat Jim Matheson.

In an interview with the Deseret Morning News to be published in Monday's editions, the younger Romney acknowledges that he is considering the House race. "I'm pretty young," he says, "but I've had good experience on the campaign trail." He campaigned for his father all year and invested the summer visiting each of Iowa's 99 counties.

Josh Romney said he was gauging the effect of a political life on his career as a real estate developer and on his young family: his wife, Jen, and their children Gracie, who is 5, Wyatt, 3, and Owen, 1.

He's asked about speculation that, given the McCain troubles, his father might reenter the Republican race either as a candidate for the top spot or as the party nominee's vice presidential partner, and Romney replies that it's "possible." Then, he adds, "unlikely, but possible."

It was the first sign from the Romney camp or family that the former Massachusetts governor's political plans for 2008 were anything but over.

Such a move could provide a possible rallying point for conservatives, who awaited a perfect conservative candidate and held back from supporting Romney all during 2007 while the campaigns of other conservatives, including Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Fred Thompson, collapsed.

By the time they began drifting toward Romney, McCain, whose campaign also collapsed earlier in 2007, had assembled a string of wins in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida and went on to win California and build a seemingly insurmountable delegate lead.

A Ticket item here Sunday noted Romney's graceful exit from the Republican race, which was characterized by the unusual absence of a follow-up plea for donations to retire campaign debt. The Romney campaign cost $98 million, $42.3 million of it contributed by the candidate himself.

But don't look for Josh Romney to lend his name to the McCain campaign. "It's one thing to campaign for my dad, someone whose principles I line up with almost entirely," he told Lisa Riley Roche. "I can't say the same thing for Sen. McCain."

As of early Monday morning the Romney campaign website remained shuttered, displaying only a photo of the smiling Romney couple and a thank you message extolling the greatness of America.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[rocco]

Breaking news yawn.

(Go back to bed then.)

[rocco]

How about just not writing boring stories that nobody cares about?

(Funny, we're getting thousands upon thousands of visitors every day and yours is the only complaint. No one's making you come here. But thanks for checking in.)

[Vail Beach]

The idea that the New York Times' hit piece on McCain could somehow lead to McCain's exit and Romney's resurgence is wishful thinking on the part of the mainstream media. hoping against hope that it retains any credibility. Sorry, but this is not 1988, and McCain is not Gary Hart. The public response to "scoops" like the NYT's will be, henceforward, a high degree of skepticism that can only be overcome by solid, documented evidence that readers can review for themselves. The default position for readers of the NYT, LAT, WaPo, etc. will be "Why should I believe this?"

Was it so long ago that major newspapers were respected, while bloggers supposedly lacked credibility, accountability and skill? The tables have turned completely.

[84rules]

Funny. The institution that was most damaged by that lobbyist allegation was the New York Times who gained a reputation for being a tabloid "hit piece" publication by 1) kicking the story around for a year and 2) attributing the allegations to very questionable anonymous sources.

The McCain campaign was strengthened by the allegation and now has more conservative support as a result .

[Raymond Begolia]

I decided NOT to vote for McCain because he is such a lousy choice. What has he done as a Senator other than keep his face in the media? He supposedly has all sorts of ideas to work on as President, but you notice he has such an ineffective work record as Senator that his PR people try to use his Vietnam service 40 years ago as a positive spin vehicle?

So, I'll simply with hold my Republican vote this year. No voting for me. McCain is worthless.

[RantingRaver]

Romney might as well join back in... Huckabee is a theocrat and McCain is an obvious liar. If Romney doesn't come back who will the fiscal conservatives vote for? McCain doesn't even understand the economy... but at least he doesn't lie about THAT too.

[CALIFORNIAMARTY]

John McCain needs the best running mate he can get. A man who knows the economy and is a tireless, problem solver whose integrity and character are above suspicion. The man who solved the problems of the 2002 Olympics, who took Massachusetts from budget deficits to surpluses without raising taxes, who brought out such companies as Staples and Timberland who can bring jobs and economic prosperity to America, while at the same time keeping our borders secure. McCain would do us all a favor if he chose Mitt for his running mate. The country needs Mitt Romney. What we not need in these perilous times is a naive first termer who would cripple America's ability to negotiate from a position of strength because as Hitler called British P.M. Neville Chamberlain a little worm and took country after country, our implacable enemies would never fea ther consequences of their actions from an appeaser whose first order of business is to run from the Middle East and abandon millions of freedom loving people to the savages.
We do not need a man whose dreams and hopes for America as outlined would cost $800 billions of dollars. Whose policies for America are the policies of Castro for Cuba, govenment regulations and controls.

[alec]

Now that the Romney boys are done serving their country by campaigning for dad,shouldn't they be enlisting?

In one of the debates, Willard said one of his biggest regrets was not serving in uniform. Will he possibly let his children suffer the same regret?

[Rick]

Why is it that Republican conservatives don't think they have a candidate? Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the race. He's the only one who has been consistent and principled his whole political career. Why don't more of you vote for a Constitutional ideology?

[Shelby]

This is encouraging news! Romney was the most decent of all the main candidates in this race, and it would be great to have him back! He is a man of great family values and is gifted in economic matters-just what our country needs right now.

[debijo]

If Mitt Romney "rejoins" the GOP race, it will again show another one of his flip flops. This is ridiculous. He endorsed McCain, then he rejoins the race? See? This is exactly why people don't vote for him.

[ScreenScribbler]

I think Romney is deluding himself. McCain is the candidate and can't be dislodged. This lobbyist thing will be forgotten in a month. The right has rallied around the flag, declaring this all a "lefty smear" by the NYT. And the issue is not getting much traction on the left, where they're more focused on Hillary vs. Barack. The eventual Democratic nominee probably won't touch the issue, because both Clinton and Barack have yucky lobbyist issues in their own closet. So this, in the end, is "a nonstarter," IMHO.

[SimpleRep]

Interesting! Romney as a vice-presidential candidate? It would make sense because inasmuch Romney has dominated the Republican primaries, his age is going to be a debilitating factor. Romney's youthful demeanor may be an equalizing factor.

The democrats are salivating now. All they have to do is go back to the 1996 presidential elections to remind the public of Bob Dole's defeat. The senator was 73 years old and if I recall, his age was an important element of his failure to be elected. John McCain is 71 years old and will be 72 in August.

[Shelby]

This is encouraging news! Romney was the most decent of all the main candidates in this race, and it would be great to have him back! He is a man of great family values and is gifted in economic matters-just what our country needs right now.

[Steve]

Since no one really cares if Romney runs, how about him running with Ralph Nader? They would not accomplish anything other than siphoning votes from others, but they could take votes from both sides. Then be historical footnotes (for Nader, that would be returning to being an historical footnotes).

[Lisa]

If Mitt rejoined the race, it would ignite a fire under the republican party again. I hope to God that he considers it. McCain cannot take on Obama or Hillary. We really don't have a leg to stand on. I believe Romney is the only saving grace for the party at this point.

[Swanny]

Wait, you guys (gals, superintelligent sheep using baaa recognition software, whatever) actually respond to people in their own comments? Sweet. Unless the above person just has a split personality and a parenthetical fetish.

[Diogenes]

Oh, man! Do you guys add parenthetical replies to comments frequently? They are a friggin' riot! That's the kind of interactive news coverage that can only exist on the internet. I love it!

[Daniel A Turner]

Campaigns are hard on family life, often devastating for business/job interests. Just think what three or four tours of duty in Iraq might do, if, that is, one's love of America transcended mere "words".

[spencer]

Romney's exit was graceful?

Really?

Funny, but I don't really consider his remarks regarding the potential meaning of a Clinton or Obama victory to be particularly graceful.

But then again, any organization that pays Jonah Goldberg to produce his usual sophomoric drivel might have a, erm, *different* set of standards regarding that sort of thing.

[Chup, Bryan, TX]

Darn. I was hoping Josh and his brothers were heading for their local Armed Forces Recruiting Office.

[anne]

What's new with Romney? Now he is flip-floping on running for president. Are you or arn't you. I thought Romney was exiting the race for the good of America and to not let terrorist win. ummmm. I guess Huck was the only smart one. The Romney camp was critisizing Mike for staying in and so is the establishment, but I bet of Mitt jumps back in the race you won't here any establishment encouraging him to get out.

[angela]

Romney was soundly defeated by true conservatives. He would be soundly defeated again if he decided to enter this race. His election year conservative conversion did not fool many; however, his money and attack ads did help him get votes. Ultimately, you can run (from your record) but you can't hide.

[art]

I'm interested. Romney was the only candidate on either side that had my support. While I consider it somewhat of a pipe-dream that he would make a furious late comeback to win the nomination, I'd be thrilled to have him as vice-president. That'd be enough to get me to vote in the upcoming election.

[Craig]

Now that the five Romney lads aren't fighting on the home front for dear old dad, are they going to volunteer for Iraq? McCain may be a rabid hawk, but I believe two of his sons are in the military and he has something personal at stake with his position on the war.

[jung patawan]

A pampered son of a pampered son of privelege is thinking about running for office based on his years of "service to his country" stumping for his father?

Quelle surprise!

And that's gone so WELL as a meme for governance lately.

JP

[L.Step]

How about all the conservative Republicans who will not vote for McCain to join with all of the others who had earlier decided that Republicanism had been "neoconned"? Don't sit out the election and let the McCain/Romney types take over the Republican Party -- we have, perhaps, the last chance to get rid of the war-hungry lobby gangs controlling Washington. Make your vote really does count -- it will at least make some pols to wonder if there are indeed conservative Republicans whose votes might have been theirs had they had the courage to wake up.. Think Ron Paul. Don't let them take away our Constitution -- in the name of "Terrorism". They are the Terrorists.

[Nomo]

The Greatest Flip-Flop of All-Time!!!

[Erin]

George Bush: worse president ever
John McCain: Bush's 3rd term

Lets try and get someone in this time who doesn't increase the national debt by 3 trillion dollars and has no plan to ever get it paid off. Hell, why we are at it lets nominate someone who is actually a conservative! I don't love Romney but he beats out the rest.

Anyone but McInsane for the GOP.

[Ken Dubrowski]

The ultimate flip flop...

[Dalton]

Good lord...they guy is flip-flopping again?

GFL

[Christian Econ]

Why did you refer to the New York Times as "the liberal Times"?

Where'd that come from? Was that supposed to be objective? I had to look again to see if this was an op ed piece, but it doesn't seem to be.

(Because its policies are. We're not objective at all. This is a blog. Why do you think the conservatives love to hate it The Times so much, because it's also conservative?)

[Vectorpedia (Rick)]

Mitt who ?..........I thought he just had his 15 minutes of fame and now he wants another 15 minutes. These guys never give up !

[Jibreel Riley]

Two Things I have to get off my chest: Romney is not a flip flopper! Bring me some evidence so I can put this to bed! Oh and for all you want his five sons to enlist, why don't you enlist? We have a 100% voluntary military so quite your crying. People are disgusting when they turn military service into victimhood. I hope Mitt returns and snatch the White House out of the socialists hands of Obama! Get at me.

[David]

How can you talk about conservative republican candidates and not mention the only one in the race. Dr. Ron Paul. End the neocon wars and fed counterfeiting.

[prairiedog]

Mitt, the slime ball is back?

[Allen]

RUN MITT RUN

[Jack]

Maybe if Romney gets back in, he could ask Larry Craig to be his running mate. They both would have the same style of public 180s.

[King Arthur]

Mitt Romney was the only choice that made any sence for the Republicans. I appreciate McCains war heroism, and his service to our country. But, it is hard to make the case that he is someone that will ignite the republican base. I believe that Mitt Romney was on the verge of doing so...had the Rush Limbaugh's of the world backed him several weeks sooner....we would have a real strong "Reagan-esque" type candidate. One that has the right ideas, background and looks the part. Humm sounds good!

[No no Im a real Conservative]

And Shelby and Allen are knuckle-dragging idiots!
Folks who want to vote for a flip flopper like Romney and call him a true Ronald Reagan conservative should just turn in their voters registration card. Drop out of all civic duties, stay at home, watch American Gladiators, and eat Playdoh.

I think all that free time has got the Romney boys worried since they're ripe for enlistment.

Oh and Lisa is a jackass, too. I'm an Equal Opportunity troll.

[Steve]

Hmmm, at first one might wonder if April 1st came early this year? This has got to be the most stupid story I've seen in a very long time.

[TI]

ROMNEY IS THE MOST GREAT CANDIDATE smart ,succes and have integrity

[Nate]

We need to vote for the lesser of two evils. If we hold back our vote, for sure the liberals will take over. Since Romney is out lets support McCain, we still don't know who he's going to pick for vice.

Go McCain!

[Bruce]

Please..........All you who claim that Mitt is a BIG flip-flopper have swallowed the hook, line and sinker from the drive by media. Mitt flipped on abortion but never flopped back. He has had a true change of heart......get over it. If you think there are other evolutions in policy then you are not really educated on Mitt's record.

He stood up agains the most liberal circumstances imaginable in America from the Mass legislature and court system.

The Dems and the liberal press feared Mitt the most and distorted his record every time possible. The media won. We let the liberal media select our nominee........how patheticly stupid can conservatives be?

[Jim]

Mitt thinking of re-entering the race? This is a joke? Right.

McCain has the nomination nearly all locked up. There is so much drama on the Stump I am cracking up, over and over again. If that is the case, Huckabee, get ready to go..... where?

I am just loving this. A fight on the left and the .....right!
Great politics!!
www.vernasmith.blogspot.com

[Jim]

Mitt thinking of re-entering the race? This is a joke? Right.

McCain has the nomination nearly all locked up. There is so much drama on the Stump I am cracking up, over and over again. If that is the case, Huckabee, get ready to go..... where?

I am just loving this. A fight on the left and the .....right!
Great politics!!

[PQ]

The liberal media did everything in its power to help put McCain reach his status as presumed front runner, but that was only done to ensure that there were not any conservatives in the November race.
Just as Nader has entered, perhaps a real conservative will put his or her name under a third party banner, but if the GOP wants to win, they better have a nice talk with McCain and offer him Sec of Defence in the next GOP Administration, or otherwise he is just going to be a moderate Sen. from AZ, and Jim Webb of Virginia will be the Sec. of Def.

[Peter Smith]

Since when does America now worry about morality. Our choice for president in the 1990's clearly suggests that moral standards mean nothing to us.

As for Romney flip flopping again, first READ the article - it was his son, not him, who said he might rejoin and it is unlikely at that. People, you are being sucked into the media's irresponsible frenzie - again! Even if he did rejoin the race, I don't look at it as a flip-flop; I look at it as weighing the situation and making an appropriate decision. I don't know many capable executives who haven't changed their position on key issues.

I can't believe that we are even still talking about Huckabee. This guy is dishonest, deceitful and an opportunist. Really. Do your homework and learn what I have learned about his record and his personal life. The only reason he has any chance is that most Evangelical Christians have been taught to blindly follow their ministers, who will violate the law regarding the separation of church and state and encourage their parishoners to vote for him. Seems to me that someone ought to look into this.

McCain is the best shot, albeit poor. The bottom line is that unless the republicans can rally around someone uniquely different and uniquely conservative, 2008 will be the year of the democrats.

[FlipFlopper Scorecard]

>Romney is not a flip flopper! Bring me some
>evidence so I can put this to bed!

Romney was for abortion, then he was against it.

Romney was for gay rights, including "civil unions," then he was against it.

Romney was for gun control, then he was against it (and caught in a lie about hunting to boot).

Romney was for immigration reform and relaxing immigration standards, and then he was against it.

Romney was for welfare increases (he signed into law the largest in Mass. history) then he was against it.

Romney was for NAFTA, then he was against it, then he was for it, then he was against it.

Romney was against school vouchers and then he was for them.

Romney was against standardized school testing then he was for it.

Google romney+flip flop and you'll get 56,500 hits, including lots of video clips of him flipflopping all over the place.

Next.

[someonewhoreads]

Does anyone pay attention????
Most of these posts keep talking about how Mitt is thinking of re-entering the race, based on this horribly-named article, where Mitt's son says it is UNLIKELY that Mitt would re-enter. It certainly doesn't say that he is thinking about it.