I think we just went back in time to 2016. At least that’s what it feels like.
Yesterday, on the first day of 2019, Mitt Romney blasted Trump over his lack of presidential character in an op-ed in the Washington Post, saying that as the new Senator of Utah he won’t hold back in speaking out against Trump when his statements are “divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions”. He also accused Trump of not rising “to the mantle of the office”.
Here’s more on that op-ed:
NY POST – “It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination,” Romney wrote in the piece. “After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not.”
The 2012 Republican presidential candidate said that Trump’s role in the Oval Office is to “demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity” — but the president has failed.
“With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable,” he said. “And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.”
Romney mentions US foreign policy and domestic fiscal concerns as areas of improvement for the president. But he also cites Trump policies that he agrees with, such as cutting taxes and deregulating the economy.
“These are policies mainstream Republicans have promoted for years,” Romney said.
As a result, Romney pledged to oppose policies that are not in the best interest of the country and “speak out” against hatred and destruction.
“I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not,” he wrote.
“I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions.”
Well isn’t that swell. Trump has constantly been under attack from Democrats and the media who want to defeat him in 2020 – and they are about to take it into a whole new gear now that Democrats control the House.
Knowing this, Romney’s first major act as Senator-elect is to blast Trump in a Washington Post op-ed? How very NeverTrump of him.
Trump fired back at Romney this morning. But he didn’t go all in on insulting Romney like you’d expect. Here’s his lone tweet thus far:
Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!
Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019
Believe it or not, I think that is Trump’s version of taking the high road. Heh.
While Trump did remind Romney that he lost in 2016 and suggested that he hoped Romney would not be a flake, that tweet was pretty tame given Trump’s past tweets when he’s attacked like this.
In any event, this is how Romney chose to start the new year and I’m sure Trump won’t soon forget it.