Surprise political move: Mitt Romney buys a home in California

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 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.

The Romneys currently have a home in Massachusetts, a home in New Hampshire and a home in Utah. If the La Jolla deal goes ...

... through, that will leave them only 46 more states to go. (Or 53 if Sen. Barack Obama gets elected.)

As The Ticket reported back in February, Romney and his wife of 38 years, Ann, invested $42.3 million of their own money in his unsuccessful $98-million campaign this last year. That worked out to about $150,000 for every Republican National Convention delegate he won. Who can pass up a deal like that, eh?

Yes, the Romneys mark holidays in San Diego with family.  But this being a politics blog, we have to examine everything through a political magnifying glass. If Romney was to become McCain's choice as running mate, would a California residence finally give the GOP at least a shot at winning the state's 55 electoral votes?

Or at a minimum, force the Democratic ticket to play some expensive defense on that front instead of taking the Golden State for granted as usual?

And we must also point out something else on the calendar:   

2008 -- Romney establishes legal California residency.

2010 -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot run for reelection because of term limits.

And there are a couple of U.S. Senate seats to fight over out here.

Oh, and don't forget, John and Cindy own a couple of beach condos on nearby Coronado Island.

We're not saying. We're just saying.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times. For a Mitt Romney photo gallery, click here.

Comments

[Bob]

He can help McCain in-

Michigan-he was born there
Utah-Mormons
Nevada-Mormons
Colorado-Mormons
Massachusetts-was Governor
California-lives there

Maybe if he buys the Washington Redskins he can help McCain take DC?

[mike anderson]

Who cares he can't take it with him so why not spend it. Huh.....

[Jon]

Sounds a little too obvious... California could sure use the help though.

[Scy]

Mitt Romney . . . winning an election . . . in California?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[jelj]

yeah, to win state-wide in CA you need to be (1) pro-choice, (2) pro civil rights for all (including gays/trangenders/etc), (3) pro gun control, and (4) an envirnomentalist. It's going to be a bit hard to combat his shift to the right for the 08 nomination, as it was so heavily covered by the media.... And, Californian's don't like folks from the East Coast coming over to change our politics....

[Daniel]

If anyone thinks Romney has any chance of being elected to any statewide office in California, they should put the bong down immediately. I mean really... a carpetbagger running against Villagarosa or Gavin Newsom for Governor? He'd have to be the craziest politician ever! Though in his defense, he did strap his dog to the roof of his car. He couldn't run for Boxer's seat either, because Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger already has dibs on that race and even with only a 41 percent approval rating, Arnold can't be beaten in the primary. Frankly, I think watching seals tan is the most likely option.

[Harry Grace]

San Diego is pretty much Right Wing Racist country, isn't it? Kinda like Orange County. I pray to Almighty God to make Romney McBush's VP nominee. This guy is Steve Forbes II. It would be appropriate that he runs with Bob Dole II.

[Rob]

Romney in CA? So what, it's not going to influence those of us out here in the golden state to go for McCain, or not to. Who really votes for a president because of who the VP is? Did anyone vote for Bill Clinton because Al Gore was VP? Did anyone vote for George Bush Sr because Dan Quayle was on the ticket? Did anyone vote against the current Bush because they liked him but hated Cheney? NO!!!!!!! The VP is overrated in their importance and if Romney is doing this to overvalue himself then on his head be it. If on the other hand he's simply sick of snow then he'll be fine where he's going.

[mblat]

nothing can help McCain in California - Dems could nominate Micheal Moore and he would still win California over anybody with letter R next to his name.

This is one party state.

[bcamarda]

All it means is he'll have another state to insult after he leaves it.

[CA Isawhat]

You guys have a short memory span. Could you please name the last four CA governors? How many of them where democrats?

Please know something before claiming, "CA is a one party state."

jackass...

[Alex Pierson]

You're right, California is NOT a one party state, but still I can't see Romney running for state wide office. And, if he is moving to Californnia 'cause he's going to be McCain's running mate and thinks by doing so he and Busy Boy2 are going to win the state, then think again pal, cause you guys don't have a chance. California is going true blue, I know that and everybody knows that.
It's not rocket science to know that. Obama '08
YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

[Oh]

Romney has a son who lives in the San Diego area.

[sandiegan]

Hey,

CA voted in an REPUBLICAN AUSTRIAN BODYBUILDER.

I guess anything is possible.

[linda]

I like Mitt's style.
GO MITT 2012!

[Sarah Michelle Spinosa]

Californians don't like east coasters coming to change their politics? More accurately, I'd say they're resistant at first, but over time learn to accept new ideas if they're convinced that they are improvements. I think you're more open-minded than you give yourself credit for.

People don't have to like everything about east coast politics, but what's wrong with some outside perspective? I'm from New England: Boston and Southern NH to be exact, and I don't think SoCal is really all that different politically - or economically for that matter, and even though I faced quite a bit of resistance when I started blogging in OC, people are starting to come around to my ideas. All change requires an adjustment period.

Unfortunately, most real political change comes from gerrymandering here in SoCal (the districts are almost brutal in appearance), and that's the main difference between the two areas. Also unfortunate is the fact that there's not much we can do about it really as it's the legislature's prerogative.

Maybe we should redistrict by referendum? Food for thought.

SMS

[harve]

IF ROMNEY IS GETTING PREPARED TO WIN THE RACE ..LET HIM.SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TAKE CHARGE AND GET PREPARED ! IF OBAMA WINS WE HAVE TO STUGGLE WITH KINDERGARTEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND HOPE OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY DOESNT COLLAPSE WHILE HE TAKES HIS BABY STEPS OBAMA WILL .HIRE ALL HIS SURLY FRIENDS LIKE THE MAD BOMBERS AND THE MAD PREACHERS AND THE MAD WIFE. ROMNEY WILL TAKE CHARGE AND GET SOME MONEY MOVING IN BECAUSE HIS FRIENDS ARENT SMOKING DOPE THEIR BUSY MAKING MONEY, AND COULD BE DOING THAT FOR US UNITED STATES. THATS HIS EXPERTISE!

[James Lee]

Mitt Romney is very welcomed in California.California will soon some day become ROCK SOLID RED Again like it used to be before 1992.It was regestering illigal aleans from Ronald Reagons Amnesty that gave the state of California to the Demacrats.Mitt Romnney might really be the next Ronald Reagon. California will be the first step. John kerry only won California by 10 % thats enough room to win.California 2012 or 2016 will be a red state

[Johns Son]

John Mc Cain and Barach H. Oboma are staying away from the number one issue: When are we going to start drilling for oil in all of the choice locations in our own country? Is there any reason not to, or are our politicians just plain stupid? Their excuses that it would take years to get started
is getting a bit old. It seems to me that if John Mc Cain or Barach Oboma can't or won't get off their backsides and change their negative opinions of our country being self reliant for its oil needs then perhaps neither of these politicians is suited to run our government.

What are the real reasons for a big percentage our countries economy being siphoned off to middle eastern oil concerns or are we just plain stupid to keep listening to their insipid arguments that all is hopeless and that we are responsible for this. In fact we are for electing politicians with no gumption or reasoning powers to determine what is best for our great country. All of their talk is meant to get them into office so that their party can get more jobs for their own elk. They don't give a damn about our great country which is founded on free enterprise-not political hacks that put their ambitions ahead of our country needs.