August 27, 2009
Posted: August 27th, 2009 04:49 PM ET

From
Mitt Romney ran against Kennedy for Senate in 1994.
Mitt Romney ran against Kennedy for Senate in 1994.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Responding to speculation that Mitt Romney might be looking at Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, a Romney spokesman said Thursday the former Massachusetts governor isn't interested.

"Governor Romney's focus right now is on helping other Republicans run for office, and that is how he will be spending his time," Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom said in an e-mail to CNN.

Romney mounted a challenge to Kennedy in 1994 but lost by 17 points. The former GOP presidential candidate referred to the race in a statement he released on Wednesday after Kennedy died.

"In 1994, I joined the long list of those who ran against Ted and came up short," Romney said. "But he was the kind of man you could like even if he was your adversary. I came to admire Ted enormously for his charm and sense of humor - qualities all the more impressive in a man who had known so much loss and sorrow."

Romney is widely believed to have his eyes set on a bigger prize than a U.S. Senate seat, and is considered likely to seek the presidency again in 2012. Another statewide run might also pose a tougher challenge for Romney than he faced when he last won office as a pro-choice candidate, in a state Barack Obama won by 25 points last November.

Filed under: Mitt Romney • Ted Kennedy


POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: August 28, 2009 | Grafika komputerowa   August 30th, 2009 8:36 pm ET

[...] CNN: Romney not interested in Kennedy's seat Responding to speculation that Mitt Romney might be looking at Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, a Romney spokesman said Thursday the former Massachusetts governor isn't interested. [...]

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[...] vacant Senate seat would be filled by someone with all the charisma of an ATM: Mitt Romney says he's busy, thanks... "Governor Romney's focus right now is on helping other Republicans run for office, [...]

Daily News Round-Up for August 28, 2009 « Real Republican Majority Blog   August 28th, 2009 12:14 pm ET

[...] CNN (USA) [...]

Links… « 4&20 blackbirds   August 28th, 2009 12:06 pm ET

[...] Romney not interested in Kennedy's seat. Oliver Willis: “Mass. not interested in Mitt, more like [...]

Andrew   August 27th, 2009 5:59 pm ET

I'd be surprised if he didn't run for pres in 2012.

I am getting a kick out of those on the far left and right commenting. Liberals are shouting a Republican won't be in the white house ever again and he is evil – while Conservatives claim he'll sweep the floor with Obama.

Let the guy run and we'll see what happens. How bout that?

Bill   August 27th, 2009 5:56 pm ET

"Governor" Rommney? Did I miss something? He is no longer entitled to use that title and in doing so would appear to have forgotten that our politicians (Kennedy's aside) are not American royalty.

Zaley   August 27th, 2009 5:53 pm ET

And we're not interested in Mitt Romney.

John M, NoHo   August 27th, 2009 5:49 pm ET

He's not dumb. He knows the same people who re-elected Ted seven times aren't about to flip over for the polar opposite.

Failin' Bailin' Quittin' Palin, How Does Your Ignorance Grow?   August 27th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

He's too unctuous to get any seat including president. Dream on, Mittens, and don't forget your magic undies!

lovable liberal   August 27th, 2009 5:46 pm ET

Not interested in getting beaten...

Alex   August 27th, 2009 5:45 pm ET

We here in Massachusetts have no interest in seeing Mitt Romney's political career forwarded in any way... Run if you like, you piece of Mormon crap, we're not buying!

Four and The Door   August 27th, 2009 5:44 pm ET

Mitt Romney is a class act. He's got to be getting more and more excited about 2012 every day.

J.C. - Independent & Insured   August 27th, 2009 5:42 pm ET

I liked Romney till he suddenly got out of the race for the greater good of GOP. But I still admire his courage and efforts for the MA health care reform.

Beck   August 27th, 2009 5:42 pm ET

He is too smart to stay on supporting that loser state Massachusetts. It ranks up there with NJ in political corruption and is so hyper partisan it will not be resurrected anytime soon.

Will-South Dakota   August 27th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

A snake-in-the-grass.

felicia   August 27th, 2009 5:35 pm ET

The democrats, got 2010 and 2012 on lock, the repigs are gonna have to sit down these eight years because they don't have a thing coming but straight losing.

Shirley In California   August 27th, 2009 5:34 pm ET

Please run Mitt so you can lose yet again. L-O-S-E-R. That's what he is.

george cook   August 27th, 2009 5:30 pm ET

For those pundits who give Romney no credit, not chance...don't be so quick to decide he wont be around when the race is "winding up!" He has lots more positive credentials and credentials that are "clearly needed" in Washington today !! Mainly some business experience which is nearly "non existent" in Washington today. The Lawyer "Overload" is very obviously. How do you thing the Health Care Bill got to be over 1,000 pages? Individuals with business world background NO BETTER. It you can't "cut to the chase" in less than 100 pages ( or less ) probably shouldn't be in the chase at all! Romney understands business and comes from a business family. Maybe he should have been the candidate last time around. He has a lot more business moxie that most of the other Senators and Representatives and the Administratin together and he knows how to espouse' same.

George

Lynn   August 27th, 2009 5:28 pm ET

Teflon Rom comes up short against a lot of people.

Mario, mtl, ca.   August 27th, 2009 5:25 pm ET

Again who wants mr. wax,,,,

WI Henry   August 27th, 2009 5:25 pm ET

Sorry Romney but americans will no longer vote a republican in office for president. You are so old book and uneducated.

Proud American   August 27th, 2009 5:23 pm ET

Lucky him because he could never win it...

D. Tree   August 27th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

Romney's ego is way too big to be a Senator at this point – he wants the Presidency.

Sniffit   August 27th, 2009 5:18 pm ET

Good thing too, cuz MA isn't interested in Romney.

phoenix86   August 27th, 2009 5:17 pm ET

Too bad. Massachusets has not had an intelligent senator in decades.

Nathan   August 27th, 2009 5:13 pm ET

I'm a democrat who would have voted Romney in a second if I had the chance. Hopefully he is asked to contribute in some way towards an economic recovery. I hope I have the chance in 4 years to vote Romney, well unless the ticket says Romney and Palin.

Independent   August 27th, 2009 5:11 pm ET

NO WAY!!!!!!! Romney's name should not be used in the same sentence as Ted Kennedy

Karen   August 27th, 2009 5:09 pm ET

I think he needs to focus on 2012 instead.

Ula Nejad- Sacramento, Ca   August 27th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

If Obama can, why not Romney for President ? He has a proven record.

Chris D.   August 27th, 2009 5:00 pm ET

Of course not, he wants to be President of the USA.......He will never get my vote.

Henry Miller, Libertarian   August 27th, 2009 4:54 pm ET

Good. Kennedy's seat probably isn't interested in Romney either. I just wish he'd get it that the country isn't interested in him, or the rest of the neo-cons, either.

Josh in TN   August 27th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

He could not win it any way.

notfooledbydistractions   August 27th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Romney had a 34% approval rating when he left office after his first term. He's since become – or puts up the appearance of being more conservative now. He'd lose again by at least the same margin if he was to try again.

Marie MD   August 27th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Oh please! Like anyone wants him anyway. That would be one of the worst insults in the history of our Nation.
Another loser trying to make a name for himself by riding somebody like Kennedy's coattails.
Disgusting!

DT   August 27th, 2009 4:51 pm ET

He'll neva be elected so run....please do...

Bridgette   August 27th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

He probably wouldn't get it. Just like he's not going to be President. There is something really evil about that man. I can see it all in his eyes. There is just something not right about him.

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