Added to the RNC Winter Meeting Schedule just hours before the three day rally entitled “Building on Success” got started, former Presidential nominee Mitt Romney teased Republican National Committee leadership, leaving questions of his intentions for 2016 a mystery as rumors swirl over his intention to revive his candidacy after failing to overtake Obama in 2012.
“Now there’s some speculation about whether I’m about to embark on a political endeavor in which I’ve been previously unsuccessful. Let me state unequivocally, that I have no intention of running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts.”
Mitt did however grace the party crowd with his vision, saying “I do want to mention three principles that I think should form part of the foundation of what we take to the American people. First, we have to make the world safer; second, we have to make sure and provide opportunity for all Americans regardless of the neighborhood they live in; and finally, we have to lift people out of poverty. If we can communicate those three things effectively, the American are going to be with us, with our nominee and with our candidates across the country.”
Romney went on to invoke the legacy of President LBJ, “50 years ago, Lyndon Baines Johnson, in 1964, 65, declared the war on poverty. His heart was in the right place, but his policies didn’t work. We haven’t won that war.”
Referencing his extensive experience running for and losing Presidential campaigns, Romney indicated support for the future nominee, signaling Republicans follow suit.
In speaking with a number of RNC Winter Meeting attendees, each one expressed either opposition to another Romney run at the Presidency even if he or she previously supported him or a belief that Romney would not seriously pursue the nomination.
Thursday evening Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker emphasized repeatedly his push that the party needs “new, fresh leadership” going into 2016, a nod to his own impending candidacy and the fact that Romney is neither new, nor fresh.
Past Presidential candidate Rick Perry also addressed the RNC crew at the winter meeting. In his last public speech as Governor of Texas telling the luncheon bunch, “I’ve been thinking a lot about 2016.”
Of all the potential Presidential 2016 candidates featured at RNC Winter Meeting events, not one officially declared his candidacy for the position, but rather played into and spurred on persistent speculations.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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