AT THE GOP SUMMIT – AT 8:31 A.M. ET: I'd love to be a fly on the wall, or a microphone in the light fixture. From Fox:
Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney plan to meet in Utah this week, as both men consider launching a Republican presidential run.
Fox News has confirmed the private meeting, first reported by The New York Times. The sit-down apparently had been planned before Romney took the surprise step two weeks ago of telling donors he was considering a 2016 bid.
Whether the meeting will be a symbolic gesture -- or a chance for the heavyweight Republican figures to try and avoid a bitter clash on the campaign trail -- remains to be seen.
Both former governors appear to be seriously considering a presidential run. If they both enter, their campaigns could divide the GOP establishment and donor base -- particularly if New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie enters, too.
According to the Times, former Florida Gov. Bush asked for the meeting, with the intention of showing respect for the party's 2012 nominee. They kept the appointment even after Romney began openly flirting with a third presidential run. The former Massachusetts governor also spoke before a Republican National Committee summit last week.
Bush may already be en route. ABC News producer Richard Coolidge tweeted a photo Thursday morning of Jeb Bush at Washington's Reagan National Airport, apparently about to take off for Utah, where Romney has a home.
COMMENT: Fascinating. Both men understand that a clash of titans would hurt the eventual nominee in the general election and would waste valuable financial resources. Can it be avoided? Can one man be persuaded to drop out? Can a joint ticket be in prospect? Romney-Bush? (It could never be the reverse because a former presidential nominee would never be demoted.) Would Jeb, son of a president, brother of another, take second place? Recall that his father was Reagan's vice president. Or, a deal? Romney-Bush, with Romney agreeing to exit after one term?
Love it. Reads like a novel.
January 22, 2015 |