Primary Problems? Conservative leaders have been deeply worried that the 2016 Republican presidential primary will look like 2008 and 2012 -- a half dozen or more solid conservatives competing for the nomination against one establishment candidate who has far more money. In recent weeks it looked like that establishment candidate would be former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. But there are signs that the Republican establishment may have its own primary problems. Mitt Romney met with approximately 30 major donors in Manhattan Friday. Romney reportedly told them, Everybody in here can go tell your friends that Im considering a run. Romney is more than just considering a run. According to todays Washington Post, Romney is is moving quickly to reassemble his national political network, including key activists in New Hampshire. Of course, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is also expected to run (if he can ever put Bridgegate away) and former New York Governor George Pataki is expressing interest too. Further underscoring the likelihood of another Romney run, yesterday Rep. Paul Ryan, Romneys 2012 running mate, took himself out of contention for 2016. Last year, Ryan said he would not run against Romney. Romneys position has changed dramatically over the past year. Last January, when asked by a New York Times reporter whether he would make a third run for the White House, Romney answered rather emphatically, Oh, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no. Clinton confidant and Democrat strategist James Carville suggested that Romney may attempt to position himself as the conservative alternative to Bush. The Post writes that Romney is even making that argument himself and has reached out to conservatives like Newt Gingrich and Laura Ingraham. Whether you find Carvilles speculation credible or not, there appears to be a growing chance that the establishment may be divided this time, perhaps creating an opening for a strong conservative to emerge. Gary L. Bauer
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:26:54 +0000
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