Mitt Romney has as strong a shot of becoming the next president as NeNe Leakes does becoming the 2015 Miss Teen USA.
Based on previous interviews, Romney seemed to be aware of his chances at once again becoming the de facto leader of the Republican Party. Throughout 2014, Mitt Romney was asked the following: “Are you going to run in 2016?” Each time, the former Massachusetts governor, 2012 Republican presidential nominee, and 2008 Republican presidential primary candidate loser answered no.
The reasons why varied.
On CBS’s Face The Nation, Romney said he wasn’t thinking about himself in the 2016 race, but rather, “No, I’m thinking about the people who I want to see running for president, and there’s quite a group.”
In an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Radio Show, Romney was frank about why he wouldn’t bother, explaining that was his “belief that someone else stands a better chance of winning than I do.
When hit again with this question on FOX News Sunday last November, Romney repeatedly said, “I’m not planning on running.” One month prior, his wife, Ann Romney, ‘Completely. Not only Mitt and I are done, but the kids are done. Done. Done. Done.”
So much for that.
According to MSNBC, a source close to Mitt Romney revealed, “He’s more open to it, based on all the encouragement he’s received.” It was not a declaration; more like a not so subtle nod to potential GOP donors that if they’re willing to throw some money behind him, he’s willing to give it another go. And then Romney himself became more blunt about his interest.
On Friday, Romney reportedly told a “room full of powerful Republican donors” that “I want to be president.” As for his wife, she has changed her mind and is now “very encouraging.” His sons are said to be conflicted and split down the middle — proving at least two of the Romney sons have a more realistic view of the world than their parents.
Even the often-obtuse head of the RNC knows this is a bad move. The New York Times reports that at this month’s Republican National Committee fundraiser at the Union League Club in New York City, Reince Priebus did his part “to remind donors deluded by a Romney repeat run just how terrible a campaign Romney ’12 was.”
As much as Romney’s massive wealth was made an issue, it wasn’t so much the problem as was Romney’s failure to understand the world outside his own privileged life. The “47 percent” comment hurt, but so did the manner in which he spoke about diversity–the infamous “binders full of women” remark is perhaps the most noteworthy example.
Then there were campaign stops like the one Romney made in 2012 at a West Philadelphia charter school. There, Romney said, “I come to learn, obviously, from people who are having experiences that are unique and instructive.” What he actually did, though, was lament about the importance of having a two-parent household — which should’ve earned him a dunce cap that day, given that former President George W. Bush’s Healthy Marriage Initiative had already proven itself to be a failure.
This is why as “eccentric” as many (rightfully) find him, Rand Paul makes more sense on addressing inequality than relics like Mitt Romney.
And given the way Romney interacts with Black kids, I’m so not keen on the prospect of Romney visiting a community center and asking, “So can you guys show me and Ann how to twerk?”
The suspected reason why Romney is suddenly willing to run again makes the prospect sound even more exhausting. Per reports, Romney has some sort of rivalry with fellow rich and well-connected politcian, Jeb Bush and is “worried” that Bush’s work for Lehman Brothers and Barclays “makes Bush vulnerable to the same kind of Democratic attacks that he faced in 2012 over his career as Bain Capital co-founder and chief executive.” Why would Romney running make that line of attack any different? Who cares when you’re fueled by ego and entitlement?
The GOP may be inclined to give failed candidates second or third chances – John McCain, George Bush, Ronald Reagan – but they’re much better politicians. Sure, most Republicans have the political leanings of pre-ghost visit Ebenezer Scrooge, but Romney has the personality of dad jeans and Dockers. He’s proven himself to be a bad salesman; don’t let him back on the floor.
Mittens, your time has come and there will never be another. You are rich, you’re aging quite well, and you are rich: go find something else to do. The presidency will never, ever happen for you.
If it’s any consolation, though, it likely won’t happen for Jeb Bush either.
Michael Arceneaux hails from Houston, lives in Harlem, and praises Beyoncé’s name wherever he goes. Follow him @youngsinick.
