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April 25th, 2024

Insight

Romney, Revising: Mitt now admits he isn't exactly ruling out his presidential nomination

Callum Borchers

By Callum Borchers

Published March 7, 2016

Mitt Romney isn't trying to steal the Republican presidential nomination from the four remaining candidates. He has made that much clear.


But the 2012 GOP nominee is nevertheless leaving the door open - just a crack - to the possibility of being drafted by his party at a contested convention in July.


"I don't think anyone in our party should say, 'Oh no, even if the people in the party wanted me to be the president, I would say no to it,' " Romney said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "No one's going to say that."

It's a far-fetched scenario, to be sure, but it goes something like this: If through the primary process Republican front-runner Donald Trump fails to collect the majority of delegates needed to secure the nomination, the result would be a contested convention. And if, when delegates are free to vote as they please, none of the candidates is able to secure a majority, it is possible that an off-the-board name such as Romney's could be entered for consideration.


The former Massachusetts governor said he is confident such a scenario won't come to pass.


"I can guarantee you this: One of the people running for president - one of the four - is going to be the Republican Party nominee," he added. "Three of the four are people I would endorse. But I'm not running, and I'm not going to be running."

Previously:


03/07/16: Even Trump's favorite TV hosts, Scarborough and O', can't avoid feuding with him
03/04/16: Mitt Romney: Media darling?
03/02/16: Donald Trump: The King of the 'No Comment'
02/29/16: Why this new media narrative could actually, for once, hurt Donald Trump
02/26/16: Why haven't Trump's tax returns, Clinton's speech gotten the Romney treatment?
02/08/16: In media coverage of Chelsea Clinton, the kid gloves are still on

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