Mitt Romney Not Running for President in 2016: Fellow Pols React
Published at(WASHINGTON) — Mitt Romney spent the past few weeks hinting that he might be considering another bid for the White House — so his announcement Friday morning that he would not run for president in 2016 caught many by surprise.
Here’s how some of the people who might have run against Romney reacted to his official announcement:
Potential 2016ers Weigh In
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — also thought to be considering a White House bid — called the 2012 GOP nominee “a patriot.”
“I join many in hoping his days of serving our nation and our party are not over,” Bush wrote on Facebook. “I look forward to working with him to ensure all Americans have a chance to rise up.”
The two met in Utah earlier this month, fueling speculation that they discussed the 2016 contest. Party pundits had feared pitting the two candidates against one another would divide the Republican establishment. (Bush, however, told reporters they “put aside…awkward” talk of a potential match-up.)
The Florida governor wasn’t the only likely 2016 candidate to weigh in on Romney’s announcement.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who trolled Bush and Romney on Twitter earlier this month, said he wished Romney and his wife, Ann, the best.
“I hope to work together with Mitt to grow our party and lead our country forward,” Paul wrote.
My family & I wish Mitt & Ann the best. We have gotten to know them over the last few years & deeply respect their family & Mitt’s service.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 30, 2015
I hope to work together with Mitt to grow our party and lead our country forward.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 30, 2015
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who was rumored to be in the running to be Romney’s vice presidential nominee in 2012, said in a statement on Friday to ABC News, “Over the past two years, there hasn’t been a day when I didn’t think that Mitt Romney would have been a better president than Barack Obama.”
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know Mitt and campaigning for him, was grateful for his support in my Senate race, and I know what a difficult decision this must be given his love of our country,” he added. “He certainly earned the right to consider running, so I deeply respect his decision to give the next generation a chance to lead.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who competed against Romney for the 2008 nomination, thanked Romney on Facebook for his leadership and said he could “understand and respect his decision not to run.”
Former New York Gov. George Pataki mused that Romney would have made “a great president.”
Having served as Governors together, I know @MittRomney would have been a great president. My best to Mitt, Ann and their entire family.
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) January 30, 2015
Romney’s 2012 running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who officially announced earlier this month that he would not seek the GOP nomination in 2016, also said Romney would have been a “great president.”
“I respect his & Ann’s decision,” Ryan tweeted, “and will work with him to move our party forward in 2016.”
.@MittRomney would’ve made a great President. I respect his & Ann’s decision and will work with him to move our party forward in 2016.
— Paul Ryan (@PRyan) January 30, 2015
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, tweeted on Friday that Romney made his announcement today with “class & grace.”
Best of luck to @MittRomney, who showed great class & grace with today’s announcement – he still has plenty to contribute to our nation
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 30, 2015
Democrats Not Quite as Complimentary
Democrats generally were less effusive about Romney.
At a Democratic retreat in Philadelphia on Friday, according to The Washington Post, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Romney a “wonderful American,” and added, “I don’t want to make a joke about his candidacy.”
Other Democrats chimed in on Twitter:
Farewell, old friend: http://t.co/YBL1bHUbu6 pic.twitter.com/ncP0ykTNxx
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) January 30, 2015
Congratulations to Mitt Romney for finally saying something the American people want to hear.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) January 30, 2015
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.