Romney campaigned for the [[U.S. Senate]] seat from [[Utah]] by promising to support President [[Donald Trump]], but after Romney was elected he proceeded to do the opposite. Romney constantly engages in a never-ending series of scurrilous criticisms of Trump, much as fellow [[Mormon]] Senator [[Jeff Flake]] did until public disapproval of his positions forced him to forgo running for reelection.
Romney was defeated for the nomination for president in 2008 by [[John McCain]]. In 1994 – a year of landslide victories for Republicans – Mitt Romney came up short in challenging incumbent Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] of Massachusetts,<ref>[http://archive.newsmax.com/romney/ Romney to the Rescue: Mitt Romney's Got the Right Stuff for 2008] Kessler, Ronald, newsmax.com archives, retrieved April 27, 2012.</ref> the same seat that Republican [[Scott Brown]] won after Kennedy died. In 2018, Romney ran for Utah's Senate seat when he could have run again for Massachusetts' seat—narrowing the GOP's opportunity to expand its Senate majority.<ref name="MA,UT2018"/>
Before entering politics Romney was a businessman in Boston, having served as CEO of [[Bain Capital]], a management consulting firm known for taking over American companies, laying off employees,<ref name="InvestorsProfits">Kraychik, Robert (January 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2019/01/03/henry-olsen-mitt-romney-put-investors-profits-over-american-jobs/ Henry Olsen: Mitt Romney Put ‘Investors’ Profits’ over ‘American Jobs’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref> and profiting from bankruptcy:<ref>https://thinkprogress.org/under-romney-bain-capital-made-millions-from-south-carolina-business-that-shut-down-laid-off-150-b855c39012ca/</ref>
===Abortion===
Currently, Romney claims to be pro-life, but his record is very spotty. At times he has claimed to be pro-[[infanticide]] and has also explicitly opposed common pro-life legislation and positions.
"I am [[pro-life]]. I believe that [[abortion]] is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate." ([[Boston]] Globe, Mitt Romney Editorial, July 26, 2005)
<ref>[http://www.mittromney.com/Issue-Watch/Values America's Culture and Values] mittromney.com</ref>
Despite having a largely pro-life record as governor, in a 1994 debate with Senator [[Edward Kennedy]], Romney said that abortion should be legal, declaring that "regardless of one's beliefs about choice, you would hope it would be safe and legal." "Many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion", Romney said. "It is since that time my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter. And you will not see me wavering on that."<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/07/03/clarity_sought_on_romneys_abortion_stance/?page=2</ref>
In his campaign literature for the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Romney expressed a willingness to defend that State's pro-choice abortion status quo.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/4</ref> He stated in a live, televised debate:<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4</ref>
{{cquote|"I've been very clear on that, I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose, and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard."}}
In May 2019, Romney publicly opposed an Alabama law that banned abortions in most cases.<ref>Frazin, Rachel (May 19, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/abortion/444453-romney-expresses-opposition-to-alabama-abortion-ban Romney expresses opposition to Alabama abortion ban]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.</ref><ref>Beavers, David (May 19, 2019). [https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/19/mitt-romney-alabama-abortion-law-1332867 Romney says he doesn't support Alabama abortion law]. ''Politico''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.</ref>
===Civil Unions===
*Anapol, Avery (July 2, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/395125-romney-too-early-to-say-whether-ill-support-trump-in-2020 Romney: ‘Too early’ to say whether I’ll support Trump in 2020]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 2, 2018.</ref> He criticized President Trump's trade policies and efforts to correct the mistakes of past government officials.<ref>Muñoz, Gabriella (July 6, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jul/6/mitt-romney-trade-wars-are-a-tax-on-americans/ Mitt Romney: 'Trade wars are a tax on Americans']. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved July 6, 2018.</ref> Despite this, in October 2018, he claimed, despite the evidence, that he never led the NeverTrump movement.<ref>Samuels, Brett (October 14, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/411331-romney-defends-trumps-policies-as-effective-disputes-he-led-never-trumpRomney defends Trump’s policies as ‘effective,' disputes he led 'never Trump' movement]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 14, 2018.</ref><ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (October 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-denies-he-led-never-trump-movement-says-presidents-policies-pretty-effective Romney denies he led 'never Trump' movement, says president's policies 'pretty effective']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 14, 2018.</ref>
In November 2018, Romney attacked President Trump for criticizing the mainstream media for its bias against him.<ref>Chasmar, Jessica (November 1, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/1/mitt-romney-i-cannot-conceive-calling-cnn-enemy-pe/ Romney defends media, attacks Trump: 'I cannot conceive' of calling press enemies of the people]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved November 1, 2018.</ref> This came despite the fact that Romney himself was harshly attacked by the media when he ran against Obama in 2012.<ref>Dorman, Sam (April 20, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/after-mueller-report-journalists-issue-mea-culpas-on-romneys-russia-prediction Post-Mueller report, journalists rethink handling of Romney's 2012 Russia prediction]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 20, 2019.</ref>
===U.S. Senate campaign===
While he could have run in Massachusetts, the state where he served as governor and where he could have worked to defeat far-left Democrat [[Elizabeth Warren]], Romney chose to run in the solid Republican state of [[Utah]], where him winning would not help the GOP agenda and would actually impede President Trump's conservative agenda.<ref name="MA,UT2018">Pollak, Joel B. (January 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/05/pollak-isnt-mitt-romney-running-senate-massachusetts/ Blue State Blues: Why Isn’t Mitt Romney Running for Senate in Massachusetts?]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.</ref> He was heavily favored by the [[mainstream media]] in Utah,<ref>[https://www.axios.com/utah-media-if-romney-runs-he-wins-2522067938.html Utah media: If Romney runs, he wins]. ''Axios''. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.</ref> and his opposition to President Trump was noted in the election.<ref>Kamisar, Ben; Hagen, Lisa (February 15, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/373944-romneys-trump-feud-looms-over-utah-senate-race Romney’s Trump feud looms over Utah Senate race]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved February 15, 2018.</ref> Romney was endorsed by fellow globalist RINO [[Jeb Bush]].<ref>Beavers, Olivia (January 15, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/369049-jeb-bush-backs-romney-for-utah-senate-run Jeb Bush backs Romney for Utah Senate run]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Moran, Sean (January 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/15/jeb-backs-potential-mitt-romney-bid-for-u-s-senate-i-hope-he-runs/ Jeb! Backs Potential Mitt Romney Bid for U.S. Senate: ‘I Hope He Runs’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref>
Romney formally announced his campaign on February 16, 2018, doing so by video.<ref>Multiple references:
===Senate tenure: opposing Trump===
After Romney continued opposing President Trump after his election.<ref>War, Emily (May 20, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/the-new-mccain-romney-carves-out-role-as-gop-thorn-in-trumps-side The new McCain: Romney carves out role as GOP thorn in Trump's side]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved May 20, 2019.</ref> [[establishmentEstablishment]] Republican House Speaker [[Paul Ryan]] stated that Romney saw himself "as a standard-bearer for our party" and a moral successor to globalist Republican [[John McCain]].<ref>Church, Nate (November 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/pre-viral/2018/11/29/ryan-romney-sees-himself-as-gop-standard-bearer/ Ryan: Romney Sees Himself as GOP ‘Standard-Bearer’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 29, 2018.</ref> Romney moved to take the place of anti-Trump Republicans McCain and [[Jeff Flake]].<ref>Morton, Victor; Miller, S.A. (January 2, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/2/mitt-romney-ruffles-republicans-donald-trump-with-/ Mitt Romney seizes role vacated by anti-Trump Republicans McCain, Flake]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 21, 2019.</ref>
On January 1, 2019, Romney published an op-ed in ''The Washington Post''<ref>Buchanan, Patrick J. (January 4, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/31095-trump-and-the-post-whose-side-is-mitt-on Trump and The Post: Whose Side Is Mitt On?] ''The New American''. Retrieved January 4, 2019.</ref> in which he harshly attacked President Trump, claiming he did not have the "character" to be president – despite Romney's own flip-flopping and opportunism – and in the op-ed, he also subtly criticized [[America First]] immigration policies along with [[Right-wing populism|conservative European populists]] while showing support for the [[globalist]] European Union.<ref name="ForeignCmte"/><ref>Multiple references:
*Bowden, John (January 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423490-rand-paul-defends-trump-against-romney-op-ed-he-wants-to-signal-how-virtuous Rand Paul defends Trump against Romney op-ed: He 'wants to signal how virtuous he is']. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Bedard, Paul (January 2, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/its-war-rand-paul-hits-big-government-romney-trump-an-actual-conservative It’s war: Rand Paul hits ‘Big Government’ Romney, calls Trump an ‘actual conservative’]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Miller, S.A. (January 2, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/2/rand-paul-scolds-mitt-romney-anti-trump-screed-big/ Rand Paul scolds Mitt Romney for anti-Trump screed: 'Big mistake']. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref> Even members of the GOP establishment believed the op-ed was "all about self-promotion."<ref>Drucker, David M. (January 3, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/even-the-trump-hostile-gop-establishment-questions-romneys-presidential-tongue-lashing Even the Trump-hostile GOP establishment questions Romney's presidential tongue-lashing]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref> Romney was defended by disgraced FBI Director [[James Comey]],<ref>Axelrod, Tal (January 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423620-comey-defends-romney-for-calling-out-trump Comey defends Romney for ‘calling out’ Trump]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref> and former left-wing Democrat Senator [[Harry Reid]] endorsed Romney for the GOP nomination in 2020.<ref>Spiering, Charlie (January 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/11/harry-reid-endorses-mitt-romney-for-2020-republican-nominee-for-president/ Harry Reid Endorses Mitt Romney for 2020 Republican Nominee for President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 11, 2019.</ref> The media, which had attacked him in 2012, came to adore him upon attacking Trump.<ref>Concha, Joe (January 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/423544-romney-attacks-trump-now-hes-a-media-darling Romney attacks Trump, now he's a media darling]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 21, 2019.</ref>
Upon assuming office, Romney was given seats in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, meaning that he was in a position to oppose and obstruct President Trump's [[America First]] foreign and immigration policies.<ref name="ForeignCmte">Carney, Jordain (January 3, 2019). [https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/423789-romney-gets-seat-on-foreign-relations-committee Romney gets seat on Foreign Relations committee]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref> Despite his anti-Trump comments, he joined the GOP Senate leadership.<ref>Ferrechio, Susan (January 15, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/despite-trump-slam-romney-named-to-senate-gop-leadership-team Despite Trump slam, Romney named to Senate GOP leadership team]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref>
Romney continued flip-flopping, publicly opposing President Trump on several issues.<ref>Multiple references:
*Huston, Warner Todd (April 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/20/mike-huckabee-slams-mitt-romney-makes-me-sick-you-could-have-been-president/ Mike Huckabee Slams Mitt Romney: ‘Makes Me Sick’ You Could Have Been President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
*Frazin, Rachel (April 19, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/439809-mike-huckabee-blasts-mitt-romney-it-makes-me-sick-that-you-could-have-been Huckabee blasts Romney: 'Makes me sick' that you could have been president]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
*Casiano, Louis (April 20, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/huckabee-lashes-out-at-romney-makes-me-sick-how-disingenuous-you-were-to-trump Huckabee lashes out at Trump critic Romney: ‘Makes me sick’ you could have been POTUS]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 20, 2019.</ref><ref>Kuznicki, Jen (April 23, 2019). [https://www.conservativereview.com/news/romney-the-pious/ Romney the Pious]. ''Conservative Review''. Retrieved April 23, 2019.</ref> On May 14, 2019, Romney voted against one of President Trump's federal court nominees simply because of comments made by that nominee about Obama.<ref>Axelrod, Tal (May 14, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/443703-romney-votes-against-trump-pick-over-comments-attacking-obama Romney votes against Trump pick over comments attacking Obama]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 14, 2019.</ref> On May 19, 2019, Romney described liberal-libertarian, [[anti-Trump]] representative [[Justin Amash]] as "courageous" for calling for President Trump's impeachment,<ref>Multiple references:*Key, Pam (May 19, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/05/19/mitt-romney-justin-amashs-statement-on-impeachment-is-courageous/ Mitt Romney: Justin Amash’s Statement on Impeachment Is ‘Courageous’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.*Yilek, Caitlin (May 19, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/romney-unsure-hell-vote-for-trump-but-hes-against-impeachment Romney calls fellow Republican Amash 'courageous' for Trump impeachment push]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.</ref> and Romney also attacked Trump's character.<ref>Multiple references:*Key, Pam (May 19, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/05/19/mitt-romney-trump-has-distanced-himself-from-humility-honesty-integrity/ Mitt Romney: Trump Has Distanced Himself From ‘Humility,’ ‘Honesty, Integrity’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.*Frazin, Rachel (May 19, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/444442-romney-trump-has-distanced-himself-from-some-of-the-best-qualities-of-the Romney: Trump 'has distanced himself from some of the best qualities of the human character']. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.</ref> Leading up to the 2020 Republican presidential primaries, Romney described [[William Weld]], a liberal Republican challenger to President Trump, as a "terrific guy."<ref>Moran, Sean (May 31, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/31/mitt-romney-trump-challenger-bill-weld-terrific-guy/ Mitt Romney: Trump Challenger Bill Weld a ‘Terrific Guy’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 31, 2019.</ref> In his first speech on the Senate floor, Romney advocated for a globalist foreign policy in contrast to a patriotic "[[America First]]" policy.<ref>Carney, Jordain (June 4, 2019). [https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/446859-romney-united-states-cant-neglect-international-alliances Romney defends international alliances in first Senate floor speech]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 4, 2019.</ref>
==See also==