Herbert responds to Romney’s declaration that he won’t run for president in 2016

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SALT LAKE CITY Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement in reaction to the news that former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will not run for president in 2016:

I have been a strong supporter of Gov. Romney all along and I believe he would have been a great president. His highly successful business career, his outstanding work with the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and his ability to work across the aisle as governor of Massachusetts, clearly demonstrate skill and talent that would have greatly benefitted our nation. I certainly respect his decision and I am sure he will continue to be an influential conservative voice on important issues. I believe the Republican party has a very strong field of potential candidates – particularly among the governors– and I like our chances to take back the White House in 2016.

Romney announced Friday that he will not be making a run for the White House in 2016, as well as the reason behind that decision.

“After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee,” Romney said in a statement released Friday.

Romney’s statement in its entirety:

Let me begin by letting you know who else is on this call, besides Ann and me. There are a large number of people who signed on to be leaders of our 2016 finance effort. In addition, state political leadership from several of the early primary states are on the line. And here in New York City, and on the phone, are people who have been helping me think through how to build a new team, as well as supporters from the past who have all been kind enough to volunteer their time during this deliberation stage. Welcome, and thank you. Your loyalty and friendship, and your desire to see the country with new, competent and conservative leadership warms my heart.

After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee.

Let me give you some of my thinking. First, I am convinced that with the help of the people on this call, we could win the nomination. Our finance calls made it clear that we would have enough funding to be more than competitive. With few exceptions, our field political leadership is ready and enthusiastic about a new race. And the reaction of Republican voters across the country was both surprising and heartening. I know that early poll numbers move up and down a great deal during a campaign, but we would have no doubt started in a strong position. One poll out just today shows me gaining support and leading the next closest contender by nearly two to one. I also am leading in all of the four early states. So I am convinced that we could win the nomination, but fully realize it would have been difficult test and a hard fight.

I also believe with the message of making the world safer, providing opportunity to every American regardless of the neighborhood they live in, and working to break the grip of poverty, I would have the best chance of beating the eventual Democrat nominee, but that is before the other contenders have had the opportunity to take their message to the voters.

I believe that one of our next generation of Republican leaders, one who may not be as well known as I am today, one who has not yet taken their message across the country, one who is just getting started, may well emerge as being better able to defeat the Democrat nominee. In fact, I expect and hope that to be the case.

I feel that it is critical that America elect a conservative leader to become our next president. You know that I have wanted to be that president. But I do not want to make it more difficult for someone else to emerge who may have a better chance of becoming that president. You can’t imagine how hard it is for Ann and me to step aside, especially knowing of your support and the support of so many people across the country. But we believe it is for the best of the Party and the nation.

I’ve been asked, and will certainly be asked again if there are any circumstances whatsoever that might develop that could change my mind. That seems unlikely. Accordingly, I’m not organizing a PAC or taking donations; I’m not hiring a campaign team.

I encourage all of you on this call to stay engaged in the critical process of selecting a Republican nominee for President. Please feel free to sign up on a campaign for a person who you believe may become our best nominee.

I believe a Republican winning back the White House is essential for our country, and I will do whatever I can to make that happen.

To all my supporters, friends and family who worked both tirelessly and loyally to support my campaigns in the past, I will always be deeply appreciative. What you have already done is a tribute to your patriotism. We are overwhelmed and humbled by your loyalty to us, by your generosity of spirit, and by your friendship. God bless you all.

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6 Comments

  • munchie January 30, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Poor Mitt, the prospect of being beaten by a woman, after being beaten by a black man, was just too much for him.

    • mesaman January 30, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      I told you not to eat those brownies until you knew who made them. Try chlorpromazine for a while and the delusions should go away.

      • Chris January 30, 2015 at 9:48 pm

        Munchie’s comment is hardly a delusion. Mitt was never a viable candidate, and ran one of the worst managed campaigns in American history. He is a political loser, and he was destined to lose again. The chlorpromazine should be Mitt’s drug of choice to reduce his delusion that he could ever be president.

  • One for the road January 30, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    I was going to say something about how stupid your comment is but you already know that…. Geeeeeeeez

  • ladybugavenger January 30, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    I’m sure Mitt would have won if he wasn’t so kind as to step down for someone else to run. What a nice guy, really. Hahahahaha! He always can say, I would have won, if I had run! ….ive got the munchies, pass the popcorn, please.

  • anybody home January 31, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Thank God and Greyhound he’s gone…oh wait, the greyhound is strapped to the top of the bus.

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