RomneyWatch: Upgrade to "Almost certainly" running again

[JRP1994]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-moves-to-reassemble-campaign-apparatus-for-2016/2015/01/12/d968592e-9a88-11e4-96cc-e858eba91ced_story.html?postshare=1391421097123581

"Mitt Romney is moving quickly to reassemble his national political network, spending the weekend and Monday calling former aides, donors and other supporters — as well as onetime foes such as Newt Gingrich.

Romney’s message was that he is serious about making a 2016 presidential bid. He told one senior Republican he “almost certainly will” run in what would be his third campaign for the White House, this person said."

[moderatevoter]

Not going to lie, this is kind of hard to digest. This feels like some sort of sick, twisted joke or an epic troll.

[RogueBeaver]

FWIW, Andrea Mitchell said on MTP yesterday she's hearing this is a head fake.

[Mehmentum]

In before the Ron Paul 'ITS HAPPENING' gif.

[Flake]

Congratulations, President Clinton!

["'Oeps!' De blunders van Rick Perry Indicted"]

This reminds me of when Gary Hart decided to rejoin the race after the Monkey Business stuff. I think Mitt has some kind of addiction issues around losing elections.

[Goldwater]

Because it worked out so well last time.

[Angel of Death]

I had to delve a bit into history to find an earlier example of someone who lost his party's nomination for President, won it only to lose the general election and won both, and found Martin Van Buren, although for him it happened in reverse order. On yet another occasion he would be nominated by a third party.

[SWE]

RIP GOP

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I thought the 47% remark would have kept him out.

[AelroseB]

I believe that this is what the kids call Pulling A Thomas Dewey.

[Lief 🗽]

Romney is the current frontrunner.

[Lief 🗽]

From 2012: http://www.theonion.com/articles/mitt-romney-terrified-what-will-happen-if-he-ever,30111/

[IceSpear]

Haha, this is seriously amazing. This is going to be the best primary ever!

[bedstuy]

This makes me wonder, what happens if Romney, Bush and Christie all run for President?  Those are all "serious," "establishment," "moderate" candidates who can raise money and probably run a competent campaign. 

Could that be a reverse 2008 Republican primary scenario where the establishment field is so crowded that the right-wing candidate pulls it out?  Rand Paul and Ted Cruz come to mind as potential beneficiaries if the party elite can't circle the wagons and decide on a single candidate.

[Intell]

REALLY, Romney!

[Mister Mets]

I had to delve a bit into history to find an earlier example of someone who lost his party's nomination for President, won it only to lose the general election and won both, and found Martin Van Buren, although for him it happened in reverse order. On yet another occasion he would be nominated by a third party.

Many potential presidential nominees would follow an unprecedented path to the White House. Hillary Clinton was first lady. Jeb Bush is the brother and son of Presidents.

Also-rans have often lost in their next go-arounds, although part of it is that the political environment was often against them. No one Democrats would have nominated could have beat Ike in '56.

Romney's had some relatively lucky breaks. The establishment primary is unsettled, and history seems to have vindicated some of his comments (that Russia is a geopolitical enemy, Northern Mali is vulnerable to rebels, and Detroit should go bankrupt.)

I guess the precedent he prefers is Ronald Reagan, a former Governor elected President on his third go-around in his late 60s.

He probably doesn't want to be Tom Dewey (Northeastern Governor who was the losing nominee twice) or Al Smith (Northeastern Governor with controversial religion nominated on his second go-around, who loses the primary in his third.)

[bobloblaw]

I believe that this is what the kids call Pulling A Thomas Dewey.

More like Harold Stassen

[Lincoln Republican]

Unfortunately, Mitt and his campaign spokespersons are too gaffe prone.

[Panda Express]

Wait, the same Mitt Romney as the one who struggled to put away bottom of the barrel Republicans like Santorum and Gingrich and the pizza dude in 2012? That Mitt Romney? When there is a bunch of actual candidates this time?

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Wait, the same Mitt Romney as the one who struggled to put away bottom of the barrel Republicans like Santorum and Gingrich and the pizza dude in 2012? That Mitt Romney? When there is a bunch of actual candidates this time?

Unfortunately, he's now viewed as a conservative icon for his valiant last stand against the Kenyan socialist.

The Days of ObamneyCare are long gone. Plus, are Bush and Christie really shaping up to be that much better than Gingrich? The Midwesterner Governors are in the same position as Pawlenty was - waiting to gain momentum. Carson keeps gaffing way earlier than Cain ever did. Huck hasn't been in politics in years and is going to share a demo with Santorum. And then we have Rand Paul who has yet to show that he can significantly expand his father's base.

The field continues to disappoint.

[IceSpear]

This makes me wonder, what happens if Romney, Bush and Christie all run for President?  Those are all "serious," "establishment," "moderate" candidates who can raise money and probably run a competent campaign. 

Could that be a reverse 2008 Republican primary scenario where the establishment field is so crowded that the right-wing candidate pulls it out?  Rand Paul and Ted Cruz come to mind as potential beneficiaries if the party elite can't circle the wagons and decide on a single candidate.

The problem is that the "right wing" field is even more crowded than the establishment field. This could seriously end up being a fifteen-way primary. Time to invest in popcorn.

[The_Doctor]

He won't be the GOP nominee. No matter what. This is him being deluded or trying to be a stalking horse for someone else. I don't get the animosity to Jeb Bush, though. Is Mittens really that scared that a conservative will be the Party's nominee in 2016 and possible President?

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Memo to Willard, please DON'T RUN.!!!!!

[Devils30]

He can expect a fairly predictable 6% loss to Clinton with North Carolina being the only state to flip.