Albert Einstein defined the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Apparently Mitt Romney didn’t get the memo.
The former governor has all but announced that he will make a third run at the White House in 2016. Romney has let it be known that he is considering a run while burning up the phone lines with former donors.
Skeptics think this is more about staying relevant than a serious run. I disagree. Why? Because every poll out there shows that when added to the list of Republican hopefuls Romney leads the pack by a wide margin. Never underestimate the ego of a guy who is used to getting what he wants.
You do have to wonder how Romney will get around some of the faux pas that haunted his last campaign. For example Romney says that if he runs his campaign will be a three pronged approach focused on helping the poor, rebuilding the middle class and developing a strong foreign policy. So how will this strategy play when framed against his history at Bain and his belief that “Corporations are people too, my friend.” Certainly his opponents will counter with a continuous loop of his comments about the “47%” and “I’m not concerned about the very poor; we have a safety net there. And of course he will be asked once again to release his tax returns. It promises to be great theater.
If Romney does officially announce he will join an ever increasing gaggle of political hopefuls that are already scurrying to secure donor support.
Jeb Bush, in all probability Romney’s strongest competitor, is in. He has already formed a PAC to get the donations rolling. Will he be able to bear the weight of his brother’s baggage all the way to the White House?
Chris Christie is in. His recent State of the State address sounded more like a State of the Union speech. He banned local media outlets from a recent appearance but invited ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CNN to attend. He too is in the process of setting up a PAC. Will his bombastic temperament ruffle too many feathers?
Rand Paul has been in for months. But the Bush and Romney’s entrance has him relegated to media clips where he seems to be pleading: “Hey, hey…I’m over here. I’m running too.”
Scott Walker remains a conservative super star, but thus far he has chosen to remain under the radar.
Ted Cruz has kept his handful of right wing crazies in suspense by keeping his intentions close to the vest. Again this is more about remaining relevant than having any real chance at the White House. Whether or not he announces his inflammatory rhetoric will draw the attention of the media and give him the attention he craves.
Marco Rubio says he’s still deciding; but nobody outside of Florida cares.
As a political writer I hope they all get in. The more the merrier. I can’t wait for the inevitable cataclysmic campaign implosion. My bet is Chris Christie will be the first to implode. I give him maybe two months into the eighteen month marathon before he loses it…calls someone stupid…or goes off on a reporter for asking if he always orders fries with his Big Mac.
The 2016 campaign is about to begin. I can’t wait.
Laissez les bon temps rouler
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