Senator Mitt Romney of Utah recently announced his decision to retire in 2024, marking the end of a tense relationship with his party. However, his departure will not be a quiet one. Instead, Romney has chosen to share his unfiltered thoughts about his colleagues and his disappointment with the state of the modern-day Republican Party in a forthcoming biography titled “Romney: A Reckoning.”
During extensive interviews with author McKay Coppins of The Atlantic, Romney provided access to his emails, texts, and journals, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at his perspective. The book, set to be published next month, promises to be a revealing tell-all that has been eagerly anticipated by many.
One of the key takeaways from the book is Romney’s solitary life in Washington, D.C. With few friends and the absence of his wife, Ann, he leads a hermit-like existence in a townhouse near the Capitol. He spends most evenings alone, indulging in dinner, often salmon fillets, which he covers in ketchup and places on hamburger buns.
Interestingly, while publicly Romney has been at odds with the Trump-led Republican Party, he reveals that many of his colleagues privately share his negative views of Donald J. Trump. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, and others approached him to express their solidarity when he publicly criticized Trump.
The book also highlights Romney’s disdain for certain Republican colleagues. He expressed deep disgust for Senators Josh Hawley and J.D. Vance, as well as former Vice President Mike Pence. Romney confronted Hawley during the January 6th attack on the Capitol, accusing him of being responsible and shouting, “You did this.” He was particularly disappointed by Vance’s swift transformation into a MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporter, considering his previous admiration for Vance’s memoir.
In an unexpected twist, Romney considered challenging Trump in the 2024 presidential race as an anti-Trump candidate. However, he eventually abandoned the idea, realizing it would likely contribute to another Trump victory. He even contemplated forming a new political party with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin III, centered around the motto “stop the stupid.”
Romney’s time in the Senate, as outlined in the biography, offers a unique look into his perspective and experiences. It will undoubtedly leave a fiery legacy and spark discussions about the future of the Republican Party.
FAQs
1. When is Mitt Romney retiring?
Mitt Romney has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2024.
2. What is the name of the forthcoming biography about Mitt Romney?
The biography is titled “Romney: A Reckoning” and is set to be published next month.
3. Did Romney’s Republican colleagues share his negative views of Trump?
Privately, many of Romney’s Republican colleagues, including Senator Mitch McConnell, expressed similar negative views about Donald J. Trump.
4. Who are some of the Republican colleagues that Romney criticized in the book?
Romney expressed deep disgust for Senators Josh Hawley and J.D. Vance, as well as former Vice President Mike Pence.
5. Did Romney consider running against Trump in the 2024 presidential race?
Romney briefly considered challenging Trump as an anti-Trump candidate but ultimately decided against it.
6. Did Romney contemplate forming a new political party?
Romney entertained the idea of forming a new political party with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin III, but it is unclear if it has progressed beyond the initial stages of discussion.