Breaking News
The GOP Still Thinks Mitt Romney Matters
- Romney went on the warpath for Donald Trump during a Thursday speech by the ex-presidential candidate.
- Romney called Trump a “phony” and a “fraud”.
- Trump fired back calling Romney “a failed candidate”.
- Romney represents the lengths that the GOP establishment will go to attack Donald Trump.
Mitt Romney plans to launch a broadside against Donald Trump’s surging campaign on Thursday, calling the man who wishes to succeed him as the GOP’s presidential nominee a “phony” and a “fraud” who is playing Americans for “suckers.”
The 2016 front-runner already is firing back, calling Romney a “failed candidate” who begged him for his endorsement when he ran four years ago. Trump indeed endorsed Romney in the 2012 race.
Romney plans to deliver his speech at 11:30 a.m. ET at the University of Utah. In prepared remarks, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee issued a stark warning that Trump’s policies would lead to recession and “make America and the world less safe.”
He says the “only serious policy proposals” for the country are coming from the other Republican candidates on the field.
“I understand the anger Americans feel today,” Romney plans to say, but adds: “Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat.”
Romney also claims Trump, if nominated, would enable Hillary Clinton to be elected president.
The speech comes ahead of the Fox News Republican primary debate Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET in Detroit, the candidates' first showdown since Super Tuesday.
Trump swiftly responded to the ex-GOP nominee, taking to Twitter to claim he’s the “only one who can beat Hillary Clinton” and recalling Romney’s record in the presidential elections so far.
“I am not a Mitt Romney, who doesn't know how to win,” Trump tweeted.
He added: “Failed candidate Mitt Romney,who ran one of the worst races in presidential history, is working with the establishment to bury a big ‘R’ win!”
And speaking on MSNBC, Trump once again would not rule out mounting an independent bid.
The address Thursday amounts to an astonishing full-court press by Romney to stop Trump from winning the party’s nomination. Until now, Romney has mostly criticized Trump via Twitter and media interviews, but this is his most robust effort yet to rally the party and primary voters against the GOP front-runner.
In his prepared remarks, Romney says Trump “has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president.”
There were no signs that Romney would either endorse a candidate or jump into the race himself.
Romney considered another White House run at the beginning of 2015 before deciding against the move, reportedly after being out-raised by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — who has since suspended his campaign.
Despite his decision not to run, there has been widespread media speculation that he could be tempted back into the race in the case of a contested Republican convention as a last gasp way to derail Trump.
The speech comes after Trump racked up a string of Super Tuesday wins, building a wide — though not insurmountable — delegate lead over closest rivals Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.
The former Massachusetts governor has become increasingly vocal in his opposition to the business mogul.
Last week, Romney told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that he believes there may be a “bombshell” in Trump’s tax returns, and called for Trump to release his returns as soon as possible.
He later criticized Trump for not immediately disavowing the support of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.
Although Trump did later disavow Duke, Romney called his response “disqualifying and disgusting.”
Trump responded to Romney with barbs of his own, calling him “one of the dumbest and worst candidates in the history of Republican politics.”
Fox News' John Roberts contributed to this report
By FoxNews
30 Comments
He seems like a nice guy. But he represents the mainstream GOP politicians. Great and full of electioneering retoric, but no actions to back the bs up. Besides, he gave Barry the idea for Obamas are. Take your losses like a man and shut the f up.
They need a new leader for the hop . Trump is becoming to no one he said he is here for the amarican people . We have oboma what do we have their more then a bad deal he is takin the country down the drane all the fat cats in the goo and was are a frame of trump because is is going to put the stops on washing doing bis as usually.
He is part of the Republican establishment- a corrupt Washington beltway coalition who collude with and appease progressives and liberals in order to maintain their own power. He is a failed candidate and has no authority in this capacity, only serving to remind people why they want to vote for an outsider and a no-nonsense aggressive candidate like Trump. The Republican establishment is incredibly tone deaf to have put him up to this. It only shows how completely out of touch with the American people they are.
This is exactly why people stayed home when Romney ran. He is a great representative of the ‘establishment’ with their noses in the air. He acted like a sissy and cannot get that rough and tumble is kind of the “American Way!”
The GOP thinks that ol mitt can change peoples minds..NOT. Romney’s relative doled out the tickets to last nights debate. I guess they are getting worried that their “gravy train” is about to be derailed. By the one person that WILL do it. TRUMP 2016!
He had his chance before and lost–he needs to stay out
Romney was not my choice. He was forced upon me and others when he ran. He had an opportunity to win over Obama and he let that time go by. He is a wimp and wont stand up under Obama or Hillary pressure, How could he turn on Trump when he was good for him. I believe Obama and Hillary would only trounch him again in an election and he would loose to Hillary. It is already determined that Hillary will be president, but right now it is Trump standing in her way. I am praying for the safety of Trump. Sheriff Alpo , Pastor Manning, and Trump are going to met justice against Obama and Hillary. Pray for safety. Romney does not want to be president, he is obeying Obama.
well he made a speech ,for the g.o.p.Sad Calling Trump all kind of thing ,Like a fraud and phony.Were four you a go He say how great Trump was ,,,,Pleas Give me break and the American people ,,, You half to do better than ,( romney ) ,,,All i can say is the g.o.p. are a joke …. the merc ….. ha ha ha
He’s just a puppet for the GOP!
I have lost respect for Romney. Donald J. Trump, endorsed you in 2012, and help raise money for your campaign. This makes you look like a traitor. Also, if you think that you will stop Donald J. Trump, you are also, a stupid person.
Well if Mitt had shown as much passion in defeating Obama, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. He lost and Trump is gonna show him how to win. He lost and his time is over. Also, he (Mitt) has shown his true colors, hypocrite. Sold his soul, as have our Congress and Senate, he just showed himself as an “establisment guy”
HeHe’s a LOSER!!!!!
Mitt Romney Has A BIGGER EGO than ” The Donald ” and he (Mitt ) knows that if Donald Trump makes it to be the next President that the Republican Party & Mitt WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ” HANDLE ” The ” Donald ” ! It is as Simple as That !
Romney is part of the establishment and does not want the establishment to crumble.
The eastern republican establishment
continues to give us very bad candidates for
president:
a weak U. S. senator in 1996
a manchurian candidate in 2008
and a mormon bishop in 2012
Romney’s Mormon Garment is apparently far to small and is preventing him from clearing the colon mucus from his brain/eyes/ears. He lost his election, he should return home, be silent about politics & retire for good.
ROMNEY IS A BACK STABBING SOB a real sorry loser he never could make a PRESIDENT
Mitt Romney is a loser. He had his chance and seriously blew it. Donald Trump is a winner.
he talks from both sides of his mouth. He lost twice . He stated how great Trump was and intelligent, smart, stated trump understands fully about jobs, economics, and world economics when Trump endorsed him. Now he is being paid or bribed to say the opposite by his own party. It seems the corporations wont allow anyone to be president that is trying to make a change. The corporations, the Federal Reserve, and both political parties only want someone who will guarantee that things stay exactly the same. It is eerie, rigged, and frankly quite scary that all of the USA and the worlds population doesn’t see this and acknowledge it, call it out for what it really is.. Thank god it seems like more and more people are and actually will take a stand. Trump winning may actually be a blessing, and a blessing in disguise for many !! Wake up America.. Vote Trump if you are a republican, and Vote Sanders if you are a democrat.. Let your vote make a difference, possibly and hopefully this vote could be make the biggest difference you could have ever dreamed ..
Let the people determine who the Republican nominee will be. Quit trying to strong arm voters and ganging up on Trump. After all, you are the ones who create this circus with your do nothing, self serving policies.
Romney is now a puppet of the Party and is not reveled to this election, I strongly disagree with the interference being made by the so-called ” established party members “. After all, I consider myself established since I have voted Republican in all major races since 1960. I plan to vote for Trump because I am sick of our do nothing Washington politicians who are allowing Obama to destroy our Nation. Plus, are running like scared chickens versus the Democrats although we control both the House and the Senate , who is in charge ?
Romeny is a bigger joke now , than when he run for president….He just made a huge ASS out of himself and the
RHINO pub party… American citizens are tired of his kind.
America needs change, not talk. Mit should have used all of this bluster against Obama. Maybe he would have won.
Romney didn’t stand up to Obama in his last debate-He just sat there in a very passive state. We need a STRONG person as President-Romney didn’t fit — but he could have. Trump has shown us he has a backbone and isn’t afraid to lock horns with those who have no ability to deal with what our great country needs to withstand failure and regain our place among the nations of the world.
Romney is just a puppet it’s obvious the Wall Street bankers he was talking to about the 47% have their hands up his Ass. How much do they have invested in trade against the US wage earners who bailed their sorry Asses out after the 2008 housing collapse. The way things are going this country is lost.
Tell Mr. Romney to go home, shut his mouth and stay out of it. I am totally disappointed in
him for doing this.
Further proof that the GOP is so screwed up that it no longer matters. Romney can be their captain that goes down with the GOP ship. Idiots all!!!
If it wasn’t for this loser, Obama would not have had the opportunity to destroy this Country for another four years.
He was not able to defeat the worst President that this Nation has ever had.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If it
d the chance to destroy this Country for another
Mitt is a ftard establishment puppet. And don’t forget his mass state healthcare plan was like a blueprint for this abhoration nicknamed obamacare
Mitt is last week’s super market adds from a big city newspaper. When he left mass. He did absolutely 0 to help Lt. Gov.Healey, a very gifted women leader.by him not helping the Lt. Gov., mass had to suffer thru 8 yrs. Of duval Patrick and enabled mass. To go hard Obama left. To the RNC, Paul Ryan, ditch Mitch,Lindsey, McCain we say no mas! To the rest of the rinos, well see you Obama cheer leaders when you go for re- election. We indepents that gave the house and Senate back to you deserve elected Republicans that have leadership skills and do not cave in to Obama, Reid, and peiosi. No mas rinos!