By Alyssa Lafage | The Save Jersey Blog
In prepared remarks earlier this morning, Save Jerseyans, Mitt Romney announced that he will not run for president in 2016.
After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to become our next nominee,”
There has been speculation among conservatives that if Romney decided not to run he would throw his support behind someone like Jeb Bush, Chris Christie or another well-known name in the GOP establishment. Depending on who you ask, the “GOP establishment” could include any number of people on the 2016 radar.
But during his press call today, Romney gave us some insight on who he is hoping to see become the nominee:
I believe that one of our next generation of Republican leaders, one who may not be as well-known as I am today, one who has not yet taken their message across the country, one who is just getting started, may well emerge as being better able to defeat the Democrat nominee. In fact, I expect and hope that to be the case.”
So which 2016 hopeful is Romney going to throw his support behind?
Jeb Bush is hardly a “next generation” Republican leader by any reasonable standard.
Chris Christie is known to have a great personal relationship with Romney but his pugilistic leadership style may not be the type of freshness Romney is hoping to see. Or not? They’re reportedly meeting dinner on Friday evening…
Earlier this week, Romney was on with Neil Cavuto and gave great praises to his former running mate, Paul Ryan (who previously ruled out a run), saying he will, “always be first and foremost in my mind… given the extraordinary campaign we worked on together and his leadership in Washington.” During that same segment, Romney gave mention to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Ohio Governor John Kasich while wholly dismissing Senator Rand Paul and Senator Ted Cruz as representing “different parts of the party.”
Who do you think will win the Romney Primary? Let us hear your best guess in the comments section:
Does the Romney endorsement help or hurt another candidate?
@Jim I think it does more good than harm, though it’s just as much about cash as votes. He could be the kingmaker in a Christie v. Bush v. Walker v. Paul royal rumble.
After Christie backstabbed him w the Obama Sandy hug, it won’t be him.
Mitt likely wants to play kingmaker here. And that could be a good thing if Bush v. Christie v. ??? gets too ugly.
His evasive statement hints at Rubio or Walker. My bet is Rubio.
I would like to see him endorse Scott Walker.
Who cares?? One RINO Loser endorses another RINO Loser.
They have taken care of each other for years
I really hope Romney has more sense than to support Christie.