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Summarized by Rosemary Pollock
Is governor's mansion in Romney's future?
Deseret News 11Apr00 N2
By Lisa Riley Roche: Deseret News staff writer
and
Jack E.'s Bad News Bid
Boston Globe pgA19 24Mar00
By David Nyhan;
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Mitt Romney was recently labeled by the
Boston Globe as a prime candidate to represent the Republican Party.
"That's true. I would seriously consider running for office again
under the right circumstances," Romney told the Deseret News. There
is considerable speculation that Romney would remain in Utah after
the Olympics and possibly run for office.
"I am not leaving Utah until these Games are completed, buttoned down
and successful," Romney said. "That could be as soon as March 2002," he
said, just weeks after the Winter Games closing ceremony. Romney said he
intends to return to Massachusetts, where he maintains a home in the Boston
area and is where he cast his vote in the recent presidential primary.
Romney has declared his Deer Valley home his primary residence for tax
purposes, but hesitates to rule out a political run for office in Utah. He
calls the question about his intentions "too speculative." Romney is a
successful venture capitalist from Boston who was recruited by Utah leaders
in 1999 to take over the troubled Salt Lake Organizing Committee. His
appointment is credited, in part, to his membership in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Romney is no stranger to politics. His father, George, was the governor
of Michigan and a presidential candidate in the 1960's. "Obviously I was
after the Senate, but in the right circumstances I would consider an
opportunity to run for governor," Romney told the Globe. Six years ago
Romney challenged the popular Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts. With Romney now
successfully running the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, the odds may be
different.
A Bush presidency could mean a new opportunity for Romney. "A Republican
president, what would that mean to me or to a Republican governor," Romney
asked Tuesday. He declined to speculate further, "given my non-partisan
position now." Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has also been mentioned as a possible
Bush appointee.
Romney's decision to run also depends on the health of his wife, Ann, who
was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year ago. She has not shown any
significant physical effects of the disease but, "she does tire easily,"
Romney said.
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