# Mitt Romney is not running for reelection next year **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 13, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066 "2023-09-13T18:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/21 "2023-09-14T00:14:59Z")
We got Alabama for 2 years because Republicans nominated Roy Moore and we put up a quality Democratic candidate. It doesn’t cost much to see if there’s a solid candidate in the state, even if the chances are slim. Slim is better than zero, and occasionally slim happens. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/22 "2023-09-14T00:17:50Z")
And this “quality” candidate promptly got destroyed by Tommy Tuberville… ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/23 "2023-09-14T00:27:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Utah is way too conservative for MAGA to gain much traction, there. Mike Lee is about as MAGA as it gets in the Senate and he was just re-elected by ten points. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/24 "2023-09-14T00:33:57Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > It’s a waste of money and resources to put up someone else. Well, the Dems need to put up someone, don’t they? If only on the off-chance that the Republican running gets caught with a dead boy or a live girl or a live fish or something two weeks before Election Day. I’m not opposed to putting Evan McMullin on the Dem ticket, with his word that he won’t switch parties if elected. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/25 "2023-09-14T00:50:46Z")
Yep. But we had an extra Democratic senator for two years. Your strategy would have been one less Democratic senator for those two years. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/26 "2023-09-14T01:20:02Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I might actually read that book. Wait until it gets to a public library, then read it for free. The fucking man waited seven fucking years before he came clean about this. Please do not reward him. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/27 "2023-09-14T01:27:39Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The fucking man waited seven fucking years before he came to me about this. Please do not reward him I think it’s a book _about_ him, not _by_ him. So, I doubt he’s getting royalties. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/28 "2023-09-14T01:30:06Z")
If he wasn’t getting anything from it, he’s a fool. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/29 "2023-09-14T01:49:51Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > he’s a fool. Why the conditional? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/30 "2023-09-14T02:56:02Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > It’s a waste of money and resources to put up someone else. Not to pile on, but the only way that Democrats are ever going to make inroads in Utah and other red states is to keep fighting. Even if today’s race is hopeless, you have to give your voters, volunteers, and donors something to rally around and give them hope for the future. Nothing could possibly be more deflating for Democratic volunteers and organizers busting their asses to sell the party to tomorrow’s voters than seeing their party leadership essentially give up. That’s why I think it was a mistake for Utah Democrats to endorse Evan McMullin (who is 100% a conservative Republican) last year. Their voters and volunteers have to be asking themselves what it even means to be a Utah Democrat. Why spend countless hours door knocking for the party when they’re going to endorse someone who opposes almost everything you believe in? Even when the fight is hopeless, you have to fight. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/31 "2023-09-14T03:01:43Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > The Dems should run a conservative candidate who is anti-Trump, anti-Maga against a pro-Trump GOPer. Might pick up a seat. Liz Cheney? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/32 "2023-09-14T04:20:16Z")
His political epitaph: “Corporations are people, my friend!” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/33 "2023-09-14T09:18:13Z")
_Corporations are people! They’re PEEEEEOPLLLLLLLE!!!_ [![](https://www.watershed.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/wshed_main_square/public/blog/key_image/2019-06-07/soylentgreen.webp?itok=bVPsU242) ](https://www.watershed.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/wshed_main_square/public/blog/key_image/2019-06-07/soylentgreen.webp?itok=bVPsU242) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/34 "2023-09-14T13:11:33Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > That said… COULD Romney have done more? He’s still got a year before he leaves, so can he take any meaningful action in that time? Can he do anything to restore what he sees as sanity in the Senate and politics overall? Well, he could publicly break with all the stupid shit the Republicans are doing, and be very vocal about it. Publicly denounce the sham impeachment inquiry, and vote against it if that mess somehow ends up in front of the Senate. Publicly back someone other that Trump for president. He could also publicly endorse a non-MAGA candidate to replace him as Senator. Back a non-MAGA in the primaries, and if the MAGA gets nominated anyways, endorse whatever candidate the Dems put up. I suspect he won’t do any of that, but these are things he _could_ do, that might make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/35 "2023-09-14T13:22:57Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Yes and he’d lose today, which is why he’s packing it up. I think he might just be retiring because he’s not enjoying being a senator in the current conditions. He had a major role in Mormon Church leadership in the late 80s/early 90s, and if he enjoys wielding power, I’m sure he can get called to something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in some important administrative position, or even as an apostle. He certainly has enough money. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/36 "2023-09-14T13:47:36Z")
Who is Mitt going to bequeath his binders to? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/37 "2023-09-14T13:47:57Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > With the announcement of Romney’s intention retire, the Atlantic released this preview of their November issue. Quoting you to respond to the allegations Romney makes in his book - I’m sorry, but what a slimy little weasel. Sorry Mitt, I’m just not buying it. If you were _so horrified_ by the things the other Republicans did, if you truly “believed in the constitution” unlike the other Republicans - why did you do so little to stop them? Why not openly come out against them until now? I believe that Romney doesn’t like MAGA or Trump. What I don’t believe is that he’d ever have been willing to openly work against them so long as he still had a political future. It is only now that the party is irrevocably MAGA that Romney has realized that he will never be able to advance any higher than he already has. And what does he do with that realization? Does he fight for the soul of the Republican party, using his solid base to allow him leeway in going against the party line? Of course not - he slinks off to sell a book that paints himself as a tragic hero. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/38 "2023-09-14T13:49:59Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > But I also came away thinking, couldn’t he have done more while he was there? Seems like a lot of politicians suddenly find their spine and voice once they’re no longer in power. Understandable at a basic level, I suppose, but I still consider it cowardly. > > That said… COULD Romney have done more? He’s still got a year before he leaves, so can he take any meaningful action in that time? Can he do anything to restore what he sees as sanity in the Senate and politics overall? We are thinking along similar lines, I see. Yes, Mitt can name names, unveil skeletons, and do his best to torpedo the monster that the Republican party has turned into. He won’t, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/39 "2023-09-14T13:56:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > > [@Chingon](#): > > > > Yes and he’d lose today, which is why he’s packing it up. > > I think he might just be retiring because he’s not enjoying being a senator in the current conditions. I think he just realizes that there’s no future for him. Sure, he could be senator again. I doubt anyone, MAGA or otherwise, could unseat him. But to what end? Senator isn’t his end goal, and he can’t even be a party leader anymore. The Republican Party has left him behind. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > Who is Mitt going to bequeath his binders to? The modern crop of Republicans don’t need blinders, they’re happy to tranple our constitutional rights with their eyes wide open. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066/40 "2023-09-14T14:28:20Z")
Not blinders, _binders_. Binders full of women. To think that 11years later that sounds almost quaint and you wish you could be mocking people for saying that instead of despairing that they are loudly proclaiming they want to destroy everything… …. If as he is stating, a large number of the Republicans are actually _truly_ in fear that the MAGA terrorists _will_ inflict violence on their families, I can see why he may not want to name names. But it just paints a picture of defeatist despair… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-not-running-for-reelection-next-year/990066.md?page=3)