January 2, 2018

"Orrin Hatch, Utah Senator, to Retire, Opening Path for Mitt Romney" — but Does Mitt Romney live in Utah?

The headline is in the NYT, which says:
Mr. Hatch, 83, was under heavy pressure from Mr. Trump to seek re-election and block Mr. Romney, who has been harshly critical of the president....

Mr. Hatch’s decision clears the way for the political resurrection of Mr. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee who is now a Utah resident and is popular in the Mormon-heavy state. Mr. Romney has told associates he would likely run if Mr. Hatch retires.

“It would be difficult to defeat Mitt Romney if he were running here,” said David Hansen, a longtime Utah Republican strategist and chairman of Mr. Hatch’s political organization.
I associate Romney with Massachusetts, but that says he's a Utah resident. And here's a WaPo article from 2015, "Romney, ahead of 2016 run, now calls Utah home, talks openly about Mormon influence."
After losing two straight presidential races, Mitt Romney packed up his home in Massachusetts and journeyed west to Utah, building a mansion here in the foothills of the Wasatch Range that has served as his sanctuary from defeat....

“He feels very at home here,” said John Miller, a close friend in Utah who has been talking with Romney throughout his recent deliberations. “This is a very prayerful thing. . . . In the end, it’s really a decision between he [sic] and Ann and their belief system, their God. That’s the authentic Mitt.”...

In Holladay, an upscale suburb of Salt Lake City, the Romneys have built a manse complete with a “secret door” hideaway room and an outdoor spa off the master bath. They consider it their primary residence, near their son Josh and his wife and children.

Together with another family, the Romneys also bought an 8,700-square-foot ski chalet in nearby Park City. They still own a lakefront estate in Wolfeboro, N.H., and a beach home in the La Jolla area of San Diego, which made news in 2012 because of planned renovations that include a car elevator. Last year, the Romneys sold their Boston-area condo; they stay at Tagg’s Belmont, Mass., home when they visit....
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62 comments:

Birkel said...

Senator Mia Love?

Fabi said...

Is it still a "chalet" at 8,700 square feet?

Kate said...

NYT has to write a few "don't throw me in the briar patch" stories about Mitt. He's as close to the Left as you can get in a statewide UT election and they would love to see him as senator.

dreams said...
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dreams said...

He recently changed his residence to Utah.

Ralph L said...

Track, Trig, Tagg, you're it.

Bay Area Guy said...

Together with another family, the Romneys also bought an 8,700-square-foot ski chalet in nearby Park City. They still own a lakefront estate in Wolfeboro, N.H., and a beach home in the La Jolla area of San Diego, which made news in 2012 because of planned renovations that include a car elevator"

Ahh, nothing like having the pulse of the common man, eh Willard?


robother said...

When it comes to Mormons like Mitt, determining residency is not merely about the houses he owns. Its about where the plurality of his spouses reside.

TWW said...

Was Hillary a resident of New York before her senate run?

Michael K said...

I could be comfortable with Romney in the Senate.

I think I would prefer Mia Love, just as I would prefer Martha McSally as AZ Senator.

We don't always get what we want. Romney would be fine, if a bit out of touch.

Rob said...

Mitt put Seamus the Irish setter in a crate, tied it to the roof of the station wagon, and drove the family to relocate to Utah.

David said...

"Was Hillary a resident of New York before her senate run?"

The Constitutional qualification is that a Senator be a resident of a state "upon election." She did not have to be a resident before she ran.

California Snow said...

Robther's gotta take the cheap shots at Mormons. Not a thread goes by online about mormons where there isn't someone mocking them. I remember how ironic it was in 2012 (or was it 2008) that of all the Republican contenders for the nomination Mitt was the only one who had been married once yet he was the one taking flack for multiple wives.

dreams said...

Orrin Hatch needed to retire, he has really aged the last few years.

dreams said...

I like Mormons and apparently a lot of Mormons live in Arizona, my youngest brother who moved out there to be near his two sons would tell me about talking to them and how friendly they were.

Big Mike said...

I don't think that Mitt will win the nomination. He may feel at home in Utah, but do the residents of Utah concur that he represents Utah?

1775OGG said...

" ...he has really aged the last few years." Nah. Hatch has always moved slowly, it's his nature. He was called "Mr. SloMo" in his youth, all those many years ago!

So, does he have a 6-month food stash in DC that has to be returned to the Desert?

1775OGG said...

Really!

Bay Area Guy said...

I like Mitt too, but do we need him in the Senate? Of course not.

Mark said...

"In the end, it’s really a decision between he [sic] and Ann and their belief system, their God. That’s the authentic Mitt.”

Might the people have a say? Or does the selfish, narcissistic, unwelcome Republican counterpart to Hillary -- herself a carpetbagger -- think himself entitled?

But I'll bet you that YKW is a big fan.

Mountain Maven said...

Romney's a GOPers GOPer. And a loser. At least he'll be pro life and pro family. Let Mia Love run.

Mountain Maven said...

Romney's a GOPers GOPer. And a loser. At least he'll be pro life and pro family. Let Mia Love run.

Mountain Maven said...

Romney's a GOPers GOPer. And a loser. At least he'll be pro life and pro family. Let Mia Love run.

Wince said...

As for fidelity to Mr. Trump, Mr. Zwick was more restrained.

“When there are things he agrees with him on, he’ll be a big supporter, and when there are things he disagrees with, he’ll voice that,” he said.


Seriously, Mitt, what is there to disagree about?

Mark said...

At least he'll be pro life

Says who? Sure he does, but what indications are there that he really is? He claimed to be "pro-life," but then again he also claimed to be "severely conservative." There is nothing about him that says authenticity in this area (or any other).

Mark said...

A Senator Romney would be simply another Jeff Flake or Bob Corker, constantly yelling, "Hey everybody, look at me!"

As with Hillary, no one really likes Romney, except for a sycophant handful. Even when he got the nomination, it was largely because people bought into the false argument that he was "most electable" and that it was "his turn." Yet, there were still about six guys ahead of him who were frontrunners before he was.

Gahrie said...

Romney has stronger ties to Utah than Hillary ever had to New York.

Gahrie said...

As with Hillary, no one really likes Romney,

I fully supported Romney when he ran against Obama. I think he was the perfect man for the time. He has a proven track record of fixing cluster fucks, governmental and otherwise.

He. like the rest of the GOP Establishment has not covered himself in glory the last couple of years.

Still I would expect him to win in Utah in a landslide.

rehajm said...

I’m with Gahrie. Romney wins Utah in a landslide. Enough LDS there know him well enough to ignore natrional narratives.

Mark said...

The Romney campaign's slogan and strategy was essentially, "At least I'm not Obama . . . and if you don't vote for me, you suck."

That was his strategy because, deep down, he is not conservative and never was. And, let's be honest here, his gig as an event planner was not all that unique and did not commend him to the job at all.

The bad and incompetent way he ran his campaign was indicative of how he would have been as president, in addition governing as Obama-lite.

Mark said...

If Mitt Romney wants to do the people of Utah and his country a service, then he will GO THE HELL AWAY.

Achilles said...

The original author of Obamneycare. What's not to like?

Mark said...

No, my utter contempt for Romney has not lessened in the last nine years.

Etienne said...
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eddie willers said...

I could be comfortable with Romney in the Senate.

Yeah...hide him in the Senate. He'll be happy and I'd rather have him inside the tent pissing out.

Fabi said...

Being a Senator is a significant political accomplishment, but isn't it anticlimactic to go from being a governor, to a presidential nominee and then to a Senate run?

rcocean said...

-So, in other words, a man who wasn't born in Utah - but Michigan, has never lived full time in Utah, and never run for office in Utah - only Massachusetts, now - at AGE 70 - wants to be the Senator From Utah.

-Shouldn't the Utah Republican party nominate a man who WONT BE as old as Hatch in 12 years? Is there a shortage of Republicans in Utah under the 55? I don't think so.

-And of course, the only reason Romney is running for Senate in Utah? He couldn't win anywhere else. That's quite a recommendation right there.

rcocean said...

And of course, on Amnesty,border security, bad trade deals, and pretty much everything except taxes and helping big business Mitt will a vote for Chuck Schumer.

Does anyone with a brain think Mitt wouldn't vote to impeach Trump - y'know 'cause of his conscience?

rcocean said...

Other than being a backstabbing liar, and trying to help Hillary and Doug Jones get elected, Romney is a fine Republican.

Hagar said...

Did Hatch extract a promise from Romney not to run before announcing his retirement?

Michael K said...

"apparently a lot of Mormons live in Arizona, "

I see quite a few joining the military. I had a guy last week who had done his mission in South Africa and was now joining the service,

The original author of Obamneycare. What's not to like?

That is a myth but I'm not going to take the time to explain as I think you now better.

I would prefer Mia Love but Romney would be OK. Hatch was no fire breathing conservative. Not since Reagan, anyway,

1775OGG said...

"Romney's a GOPers GOPer. And a loser. At least he'll be pro life and pro family. Let Mia Love run."

Yes, indeed!

narciso said...

Well Jonathan gruber sold him that bag of magic beans, and they keep selling him more bags re 5he access Hollywood, Roy Moore, et al

Fabi said...

His campaign slogan will be "The Next Maverick".

HoodlumDoodlum said...

But what about his gaaaaaafes?

In what state does the woman he gave cancer to live?h

Give me a break, Media.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Hey! Loopholes on location are only for Democrats!

Bad Lieutenant said...

Without unkindness...

He has been an executive, by many accounts a successful one.

Executives do things, and are in charge. They decide. They act.

These are not the skill sets associated with the legislature. I'm not sure it's a good use of his gifts.

Also, he is old, and something of a carpetbagger, as was the loathsome Hillary!, who has less roots in New York than an epiphyte.

Back to unkindness: in the final analysis, I deem Mitt Romney to be fundamentally weak. He would be led, not lead, in the Senate, and could not be trusted.

Therefore I reject his candidacy, which would bear no fruit even if successful. Perhaps if it were necessary somehow.

The good people of Utah may disagree.

One thought, maybe he would be useful in AZ or NV if thought useful to defeat a strong D. But then he would have to fight. Utah would be easy meat for Romney, too easy for someone of high caliber looking to achieve great things. It would be nice if he could get involved in turning NV/AZ red/der. UT doesn't need him.

YoungHegelian said...

I was never very fond of Romney, even though I voted for him. He was a sterling example of that self-proclaimed brilliance of the GOPe that they decided on him:

a Mormon, from Massachusetts, signer into law of Masscare

to be their standard bearer, in spite of the fact that the Republican base was:

Protestant Christians who consider the Mormons to be essentially heretics, Southerners & Westerners who find New Englanders pompous & arrogant, & opposed to ObamaCare as a primary plank of the Party.

Romney & the GOPe was another reason we got Trump.

Quaestor said...

In Holladay, an upscale suburb of Salt Lake City, the Romneys have built a manse complete with a “secret door” hideaway room and an outdoor spa off the master bath.

Mormons have this thing about priesthood which is too convoluted for my poor brain. (Besides, Quaestor's brain has better things to do than mull over LDS ecclesiastical minutiae, like submerging itself in an evening of classic film noir...)

Whatever priesthood is to Mormons it's not the same as being a professional cleric, the kind of person who typically lives in a manse. The Romney's are rich enough to live in a mansion, which is not quite the same thing.

The Drill SGT said...

I associate Romney with Massachusetts, but that says he's a Utah resident.

The folks in Utah also remember that he salvaged the Winter Olympics there.

Bay Area Guy said...

There isn't a NEED for Romney to run for a Senate seat in Utah. Mia Love would be better, all we need is some young wacko right-winger, who generally supports Trump, jeez,

Geoff Matthews said...

I would like to see Jason Chaffetz in the senate.

1775OGG said...

"I would like to see Jason Chaffetz in the senate."

When would Chaffetz have the time to be a senator? That interfere with his FNC gig and reduce his FNC emoluments?

Tom said...

I’ve seen him several times at the slc airport. We spoke once in a line at Starbucks - briefly - he got a bottle of water.

Gahrie said...

isn't it anticlimactic to go from being a governor, to a presidential nominee and then to a Senate run?

John Quincy Adams served in the House of Representatives for most of the rest of his life after he was president. He ran for governor of Massachusetts during that time also. (he withdrew when there was no clear winner in favor of another candidate)

William Taft became chief Justice of the Supreme Court after being president. Andrew Johnson briefly served in the Senate after being president and President Tyler served as a member of the Confederate House of Representatives.

Chuck said...

Sweet! It seems that Trump failed, in trying to convince Hatch to run again. And the Atlantic called it right in the end. Time for Hatch to retire, after a long and successful career in the Senate.

One month ago; Althouse's blog post on the subject:

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2017/12/donald-trump-is-going-all-out-to.html?m=1

I well understand that Trump, and Trump fans, might not want Romney in the Senate. I hope Trump fans understand, that's why folks like me do want Romney in the Senate.

In 2016, Trump won Utah with 45% of the vote. In 2012, Romney won Utah with 72%. In 2018, I am thinking about all of the Democrats and Trump-weary independents who might add their votes to the big Republican majority in Utah.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Romney hasn’t lived in Massachusetts for the last decade. In fact he came back from Utah to run for governor in 2002 after running the Salt Lake Winter Olymoics. He may have kept a townhouse, but that was a technicality.

stevew said...

Last I heard he still has a lovely place on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. But that doesn't make it his residence. Don't really wealthy people often have multiple homes and get to choose which to call their residence and in which to register to vote?

If Trump can come around to supporting Roy Moore for the Senate then he'll do the same for Romney if he is the Republican nominee (vs Any Democrat).

-sw

lgv said...

1) Romney has always been more a resident of Utah than Hillary in New York

2) . Hatch is retiring and they want to replace with a 70 year old?

AllenS said...

Yeah, but what about his funny underwear? Do we need that distraction?

rcocean said...

Obama got 25% of the Utah vote in 2012. Hillary got 27% in 2016.

The Republicans don't need Mitt Romney to win the Senate in Utah.

So, we nominate an actual conservative instead of a 70 y/o Massachusetts Cuckservative who'll stand with the Democrats 50% of the time and go on Meet the Press every Sunday and call other Republicans "Racists" "xenophobes" and "Bigots'

Bad Lieutenant said...

Chuck, what if Romney runs and loses?