Key Romney donors and longtime staffer moving toward Bush

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and STEVE PEOPLES

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As Mitt Romney closes in on a decision about whether to again run for president, he does so without several major donors who supported him in the past and a veteran Iowa staffer — defections all to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

The donors, in interviews with The Associated Press, said they see in Bush what they liked about Romney in 2012, the capacity to serve successfully as president, but also something Romney could not muster over two campaigns: the personality and senior staff needed to win the White House.

"I've got great respect for Gov. Romney, and I busted my buns for him," said Chicago investor Craig Duchossois, whose wife contributed $250,000 to a pro-Romney super PAC while he collected tens of thousands more for Romney's last campaign. "But I have turned the page."

Beyond the donors, Romney lost one of his most trusted political advisers on Thursday when David Kochel joined Bush's team. Kochel, who led Romney's campaign in Iowa in 2008 and 2012, is in line to play a senior role in Bush's campaign should he run, Bush spokesman Kristy Campbell said.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015 file photo, former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss. Closing in on a decision about whether to again run for president, Mitt Romney is finding that several past major fundraisers and donors in key states have defected to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The donors, in interviews with The Associated Press, said they see in Bush what they liked about Romney in 2012, namely what they believe it takes to serve successfully as president, but also something he could not muster in his two previous campaigns: what it takes, both in personality as a candidate and in a supporting staff, to win the White House for the GOP. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150130/us-gop-2016-romney-donors--e76478ef8f.html

[stillwaiting]

1. Well THAT'S a shocker...

[Hoppy]

2. Mitt better run. Does he think Jesus is gonna just give him the presidency?

Mitt is just being tested for his faith.















Yes sweetheart, it is sarcasm.

[indivisibleman]

3. I don't think it is any surprise to Mitt either.

But it is encouraging for me to hear this news because it makes certain that we will never be threatened by this vulture for the presidency again.
Good riddance.

[woodsprite]

5. Truthfully though, doesn't Mitt have enough money to fund his own campaign?

He wouldn't have the social network support, but I would think he has enough bucks.

[Frank Cannon]

4. The 'White Horse' Prophecy DEMANDS that Mitt runs.

This is merely a test of Mitt's and His followers' faith.

DON'T GIVE UP, MITT. If you do, you basically might as well march immediately into the Celestial Kingdom and kick Joseph Smith squarely in the balls. Because that's what you'll be doing.

[yellowcanine]

6. No problem. He still has the binders full of women.