From Deseret News archives:

Romney has no interest in a McCain Cabinet position

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 12:10 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The same goes for a spot in a McCain Cabinet, he said, because of what he saw when his father, the late George Romney, served as President Nixon's secretary of housing and urban development.

"I really would not enjoy being in the Cabinet," Romney said.

He also told reporters — yet again — that he never expected to be chosen McCain's vice president. McCain surprised political watchers Friday by choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the No. 2 spot on the ticket.

Romney also said his Mormon faith was not the reason he lost the presidential primary — or why he was passed over by McCain as a vice presidential nominee.

"I think John McCain's successful campaign is why he became the nominee," Romney said. "... In terms of the v.p. choice, I think he brought someone on his ticket who had a solid record as being a reformer and a maverick that he thought would be able to connect with not only the base of our party but people in other parties."

Later in the day, after news broke that Palin's unmarried teenaged daughter was pregnant, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom told Congressional Quarterly, "Nothing has changed."

Story continues below
Ferhnstrom called the situation "a very personal matter for the Palin family. We should all respect the love they have for the child and the desire all parents would have for their children's privacy."

Despite having no place on the party's ticket, Romney continues to attract national media attention. Both ABC and NBC sent network crews to cover the breakfast meeting. Romney hasn't slowed down his efforts on behalf of McCain, hitting the campaign trail over the weekend and scheduling numerous appearances during the convention.

The Utah delegates were clearly thrilled to have Romney as a guest. Utah GOP Chairman Stan Lockhart told them, "For those who keep complaining we don't get 'A' list people to our events, I'm not sure what else we can do."


E-mail: lisa@desnews.com

Recent comments

"
Between Gustav and left leaning media coverage, the RNC isn't...

G | Sept. 5, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.

you guys seriously? ... "Sandra" Palin was a stupid choice by a...

how can anybody take | Sept. 3, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.

Sandra Palin was a great choice. She's a mover and shaker if you...

Palin is Great | Sept. 3, 2008 at 7:41 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Cougar defense rose to occasion

Is that BYU gets to call next year without Hall, Pitta, George, Hooks, and a...

Hall mouths off about hate of Utah

ummmm.....relevant?

Max Hall issues apology

I think BYU and Utah should take a two-year hiatus from playing each other in...

fantastic story! thanks for the RSL coverage, d-news.

Wait, don't be so hard on the guy. Newsweek is the problem. They lure you in...

USC, CAL or AZ are going to be easy.

Please can we all just get along? Can we take this Thanksgiving holiday and...

Great game! Great playoffs!!! Thanks RSL!

Love my Cougars. Max, you disappointed me on this post-game remark, but...

Max Hall issues apology

He was forced to apologize. You knew it was coming as soon as he said it.

Advertisements