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WORLD WAR III Title: Mitt's new mission AP Photo DEER VALLEY, Utah Mitt Romney is working with an unlikely collaborator Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino mogul who bankrolled Newt Gingrichs 2012 campaign in the hopes of ensuring that the GOP primary produces a mainstream conservative without any of the mayhem that marked his own race. The two, who speak monthly, aim to convince the wealthy contributors bankrolling various candidates to work together to avoid the kind of primary election chaos that Romney believes laid the seeds for his defeat in 2012. The former Massachusetts governor is also considering endorsing a candidate to achieve his goal. Theyre unmistakable signs of Romneys newly assertive role in the Republican Party but also of his determination to guarantee the GOP an unbloodied nominee with broad-based appeal. It was all on display at the E2 Summit this week, which drew around 250 of his most loyal donors and prominent supporters to the Stein Eriksen Lodge, a luxurious five-star ski resort. Six Republican presidential hopefuls also made the Utah trip one of whom, Scott Walker, used part of his nearly 40-minute speech to pay tribute to Romneys father, former Michigan Gov. George Romney. Chris Christie, during a Friday afternoon speech, paid homage by saying the 2012 nominee had been clairvoyant in the warnings hed raised about the direction of the nations foreign policy. I dont think that Mitts got the apology note yet from the president, said the New Jersey governor, who prior to his address spoke with Romney backstage. For a failed nominee who waged a presidential bid that many in his party found disappointing, Romney maintains a striking degree of influence. In part, its because of his unique mix of business acumen and political skills, but its also a recognition of his deep access to the complex, jungle-like world of super PAC donors. In a party that lacks a unifying figure, hes eager to fill the void. I think he realizes he has a good role to play, said Ron Kaufman, a longtime Romney friend and adviser who is a Republican National Committeeman. He can be a senior statesman. Romneys budding friendship with Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate who is one of the richest men in the world and one of the most influential forces in the Republican Party, only amplifies his voice in 2016. Together they make for powerful, if unlikely, allies: In 2012, Romney was damaged when a number of super PAC donors, including Adelson, ganged up against him. But after Romney secured the nomination, Adelson spent tens of millions of dollars in support of him. Before Romney announced that he wouldnt seek the 2016 nomination, Adelson told friends that hed like to see him enter the race and that hed be open to supporting him. One big question hanging over Romney is whether hell endorse a candidate. He would be most likely to provide his seal of approval, friends say, if the primary contest turns into a battle between a pragmatic candidate and one who isnt. Theres the possibility that there might be someone who emerges strong who I agree with on a whole host of issues, and then someone else comes along who I find not as attractive from a policy standpoint or another standpoint. And at that stage I might jump in and go to work to help the one whos more in tune with the things I believe, Romney told reporters on Friday evening. The value of that assistance would be considerable. Aside from his sprawling network of powerful donors, he has access to Restore our Future, the super PAC that supported his 2012 presidential bid and remains active. The group has nearly $200,000 in its bank account. He wants to win, said Spencer Zwick, Romneys former finance chairman and one of his closest confidants. The question is whether we nominate a candidate who can win the general election. Romney, however, is wary of the risks involved in getting behind a contender. Hes relishing his role as an informal adviser Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie have all sought him out for his private counsel and endorsing would mean relinquishing that power. Those that have spoken with Romney say the pain and introspection over his 2012 loss hasnt completely subsided. In February, during a private dinner at Adelsons home before a group of Jewish Republican donors, the former governor held forth on foreign policy, analyzing the turmoil abroad. He said he wished he could be president, because he wanted to deal with these problems, said one person in the room. At other times, he seems to reflect on his failings as a candidate. In my case there were a long list of mistakes. So which one is at the top I cant judge, he joked lightheartedly to reporters on Friday. Romney noted that he was far from successful in selling his campaign to minorities. Hes still on a search for answers. Zwick one of the most sought-after Republican operatives has remained neutral in the 2016 race, and has undertaken a research project aimed at better understanding the reasons for Romneys 2012 defeat with a goal of not replicating them for the future. He wants to be involved in whatever way he can be, said Romneys eldest son, Tagg. And one of the ways he can be involved is helping whoever the future nominee is learn from his successes and also from his mistakes. When Romney decided earlier this year that he wouldnt seek the presidency, it took some of his aides by surprise. Hed pondered running for about a month, speaking to many of the people in his network a brief exploratory that, for a time, led many to believe hed launch a third consecutive bid. On Friday, Romney provided a window into his decision not to run, saying it reflected a calculation of his prospects. He recognized, he said, that someone who wasnt as negatively defined as I was in some circles, and someone who was the next political generation, had a better chance of getting the White House than I did. I said, You know, Ive had two shots, I really should let someone else who I think has a better shot getting the presidency have a chance to do so. The role of party elder seems to suit him. At this weeks summit, the third that Romney has hosted, he was in good spirits. Romney who was often criticized for his stiff appearance was tie-less, his hair less gelled and parted than in the campaign. On Friday morning, on his way to Rubios speaking event, he called out to a group of reporters to follow him into the auditorium. Come on, guys, he said smiling. I dont look back and second guess, Romney said. I dont say, Oh, I should have made a different decision. Im glad I made the decision I did. Poster Comment: An adult deer tick Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top Page Up Full Thread Page Down Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 4.
#4. To: hondo68 (#0)
Romney is one of the crookedest bastards that ever came down the pike. He founded Bain Capital investment. He and his rich pals would buy up controlling interest in small companies, immediately charge the companies for the costs they incurred in buying controlling interest, then install their club members as CEOs at exhorbitant salaries. Some of these companies had been going propositions for 90 years. They were looted. Twenty two percent of them went bankrupt almost immediately. Most of the others just struggled along barely surviving after Bain Capital got through with them. Romney made over $300,000,000 from the operation, then left to enter politics. I don't want to see that worthless son of a bitch involved in anything for the rest of his, or my, life. He's a glorified thief trading on his family name.
#5. To: rlk, *2016 The Likely Suspects* (#4)
Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham and three Republican governors Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Chris Christie of New Jersey and John Kasich of Ohio To summarize: The 6 Romney picks (worst of the Republicans) are... Carly Fiorina - former Hewlett-Packard chief executive
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