Romney says he's not running

[Lincoln Republican]

Two observations on this momentous announcement of today.

First, I have been saying all along that Mitt would not be running in 2016.

Please consider this historic announcement as my vindication.

Second, this is the best news that Hillary could possibly have, given the fact that Mitt was the only Republican running even with, or ahead of her.

[IceSpear]

Second, this is the best news that Hillary could possibly have, given the fact that Mitt was the only Republican running even with, or ahead of her.

That's not really true though. The same polls that had Romney even with Hillary also had others close to her, and the same polls that had her blowing everyone out of the water also had her blowing Romney out of the water.

[retromike22]

Good riddance!

[Simfan34]

Thank God. It would have been an embarrassment for all involved.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

RIP

[RI]

So, without Romney in the race, how do Mormons vote? Jeb? Surely not Huckabee or Santorum.

[Averroës Nix]

Jonathan Bernstein wrote something yesterday that came close to saying what Simfan and others have posted here:

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He elaborates on this analysis in another post today, following news of Romney's withdrawal:

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He draws two conclusions from this. First, this is a strong crop of Republican candidates. Second, the size of the Republican field today doesn't guarantee that the race will remain crowded by the end of the year. (I haven't read enough of the 2016 board to know whether these are unsurprising and uncontroversial statements among posters here.)

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Excellent. We can do so much better. The odds that our candidate will be Walker or Rubio go way up now.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I won't be surprised if the GOP field becomes lackluster by July/August 2015 and he decides to run again.

He's not going to run. Just forget about him.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

So, without Romney in the race, how do Mormons vote? Jeb? Surely not Huckabee or Santorum.

Why would the Mormons take issue with a conservative Christian?  I think Santorum is right up their alley.

[PresidentTRUMP]

Excellent. We can do so much better. The odds that our candidate will be Walker or Rubio go way up now.

Im praying one of them are our candidates, only chance we have is with one of them IMHO.

[Likely Voter]

I was surprised when he signaled he was getting in so I guess this shouldn't be a surprise.

This shows that the establishment donor and elites class were never really with Romney, he was only their best chance in 2012. Remember all those calls for someone else like Christie to get into the race back then?

[BaconBacon96]

It's bittersweet. I would have loved to seen him take a crack at but this allows for newer candidates to run.

[Likely Voter]

NYT has interesting tidbit

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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/us/mitt-romney-2016-presidential-election.html?_r=0

[SWE]

Well, now Republicans have a chance in 2016

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

Well, this means that Rand Paul can win Utah.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

So, without Romney in the race, how do Mormons vote? Jeb? Surely not Huckabee or Santorum.

Why would the Mormons take issue with a conservative Christian?  I think Santorum is right up their alley.

Radical Roman Catholics like Santorum are not exactly fond of Mormons.

[heatmaster]

So Mitt is out, can't say I'm surprised,  just disappointed. That means one thing Jeb Bush is the 'one' - all the establishment money's on him. I was probably one of those few Republicans who were hoping that he'd make another go of it. Last time we had ex-presidential nominee try for the brass ring, was Nixon in '68. Thought Romney was gonna go the whole way, shame!!!

[Abraham Reagan]

I am truly saddened. This man has such dignity, grace, and experience. Would've made a fantastic president.

[Angel of Death]

Obligatory:

[ElectionsGuy]

Good

[ShadowRocket]

I was skeptical that he would make a third try so I'm not surprised. I do think that his remark about the need to nominate a younger candidate was noteworthy. As is the fact that he'll appearantly meet with Christie. I suspect him or Walker will be the one to get his endorsement.

[Cobbler]

Disappointing. One of the very few Republican choices this go around that I would have gladly supported.

[PresidentTRUMP]

I was skeptical that he would make a third try so I'm not surprised. I do think that his remark about the need to nominate a younger candidate was noteworthy. As is the fact that he'll appearantly meet with Christie. I suspect him or Walker will be the one to get his endorsement.

Disagree his support will go to Rubio or Christie and his donors....whoever gets them instantly becomes the front runner IMO.

[Bull Moose Base]

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Quite a gratuitous swipe at Jeb. One of the articles I read about Romney's deliberation said he and his wife noticed Jeb didn't do much to help him in 2012. But would Romney seriously help Christie of all people because he has a grudge from 2012? Or maybe he's just mad at Jeb for poaching all his donors this time and blames him for not being able to run.

I was skeptical that he would make a third try so I'm not surprised. I do think that his remark about the need to nominate a younger candidate was noteworthy. As is the fact that he'll appearantly meet with Christie. I suspect him or Walker will be the one to get his endorsement.

Disagree his support will go to Rubio or Christie and his donors....whoever gets them instantly becomes the front runner IMO.

Unless Ryan and Walker had a rift, I could see Ryan successfully lobbying Romney to endorse Walker.

Edit: Also could easily see Romney not endorsing anyone in the primary.