Mitt Romney’s Trump Obsession [OPINION]

Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is obsessed with Donald Trump. Romney is as obsessed if not more so than many on the left who have been unable to focus on little else since Trump first declared his candidacy for president in 2015. Romney, a smug, self-righteous swamp dweller is also obsessed with power and with public perception.

Romney, a Michigan native, launched an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts against liberal icon Ted Kennedy in 1994. Kennedy cleaned the floor with him. In 2002, Romney defeated Democrat Shannon O'Brien for the open governorship in Massachusetts where he was responsible for implementing a near-universal health care system that relied on individual mandates and would later be used as the model for the failed Obamacare.

Through it all, Romney's eye was always on the White House. Massachusetts was simply a stepping stone to that end. A wealthy, successful businessman, Romney lost his bid for the Republican presidential nomination to John McCain in 2008 but captured the nomination four years later and turned to fellow businessman Donald Trump for financial help and an endorsement. Romney was defeated badly by Barack Obama, who was elected to a second term.

After losing to Obama, Romney was trigger shy and chose not to run again in 2016, a decision he would later regret. Rather than focusing on helping the Republicans to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, Romney, bitter about his loss and his timidity to seek the nomination a third time, lashed out at Trump by delivering a vicious attack on the likely nominee.

In 2016, Romney asked President-elect Trump for a job and then for an endorsement when he opted to run for the U.S. Senate from Utah in 2018. Distrustful of Romney, Trump left him out of his cabinet but did help with the endorsement. After winning the Senate seat, Romney immediately turned on Trump, ultimately leading to his being the only Republican in the Senate to vote to remove Trump from office following his impeachment.

Romney believes he could have defeated Hillary Clinton and that it should have been him and not Trump elected president in 2016 but he lacked the confidence to launch. Mitt Romney is a troubled man. He is consumed by bitterness and jealousy.

As a result of his vote to remove Trump from office, there have been calls for his expulsion from the Republican Party and he could find himself being recalled by the voters in Utah.

What a tragic reality for Mitt Romney as he watches his dreams fade before him. Trump will likely be elected president for a second time this fall. All Mitt Romney can do is to wonder what might have been – if only.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.