Romney: Trump Is Open To Alternative Views

Townhall.com ^ | December 18, 2016 | Jason Hopkins

[Kaslin]

Mitt Romney appears to have no hard feelings for being passed over as Trump’s secretary of state. Even though ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson was chosen for the position in the end, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee says that his candidacy alone proves Trump is willing to listen to alternative viewpoints.

He expressed his thoughts in a short letter to the editor via The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday:

My political journey was surely not so bizarre as the 2016 campaign. That said, let me offer this personal perspective. I was indeed very critical of Donald Trump during his campaign. But now he has been elected president and accordingly, if I could have helped shape foreign policy to protect the country I love, I would have been more than willing to do so.

I was more than a little surprised that the president-elect reached out to me to potentially serve as secretary of state of the United States. I see it as a welcome sign that he will be open to alternative views and even to critics. As the country's next president, I earnestly hope that he will be successful in fostering greater prosperity and peace. I believe all Americans can join in that wish.

Mitt Romney

The letter shows Romney’s goodwill towards Trump’s final decision. It also does make a noteworthy point about the president-elect’s attitude since winning the 2016 election.

Trump has certainly nominated a lot of campaign surrogates (something a successful candidate is supposed to do), but he’s also appointed and considered numerous candidates who were not just skeptical of his presidential bid – but downright hateful during the election.

Romney, for starters, called Trump a “phony” and a “fraud.” He even said Trump’s promises were as “worthless as a degree from Trump University.” For someone who’s been characterized by the media as petty – it’s certainly something Trump took the high road and considered a former disparager sincerely because he wanted the best person for the job.

Former governor Mitt Romney wasn't the only former anti-Trumper spending time at Trump Tower.

Sen. Mike Lee from Utah spent over an hour meeting with the president-elect earlier this week. The main topic was the Supreme Court – which includes a vacancy many say Trump will look for Lee to fill. Sen. Lee was definitely no Trump supporter during the primaries. He disavowed him after the Access Hollywood tape and even went on to vote for Evan McMullin.

Trump’s willingness to listen to former critics extends to the other side of the political spectrum.

The president-elect met with Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard last month. The two discussed the civil war in Syria and numerous foreign policy affairs. Gabbard is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and was a supporter of Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary. Many in her party were upset that she even took the time to meet with Trump.

Donald Trump has also actively vetted Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Heidi Heitkamp for potential positions in his administration. They both come from red states, but the move still demonstrates that Trump is willing to find whoever is the best fit for the job.

Perhaps the biggest day spent speaking to people at completely different ends of the political spectrum: December 8^th. This was the day Trump held a meeting with Leonardo DiCaprio (a former Hillary supporter) and the manager of DiCaprio's environmental nonprofit organization. The three discussed climate change issues and green energy advancement. The famous Hollywood actor has been an ardent advocate of the environment and has made public jabs at Trump over his skepticism of climate change. On the same day, Trump officially nominated Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt has been one of the fiercest critics of the EPA and has fought the department rigorously over environmental regulations.

Despite the Pruitt nomination, Trump suggested to DiCaprio they meet again next month to continue their dialogue.

Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the guy is certainly willing to lend an ear to his critics.

[TomGuy]

I was indeed very critical of Donald Trump

Critical, hell! You led the shadow rebellion to try to get him defeated -- in the remaining primaries, going into the convention, and before the first ballot at the convention, you slimeball.

[Eddie01]

This is showing on Netflix:

In 2006, Mitt Romney decides to run for president of the United States. In the days before the 2008 presidential election, he seeks to win debates against John McCain and the other Republican Party presidential candidates. After he loses the Republican nomination, he returns in 2012 to challenge incumbent Barack Obama for the White House. Meanwhile, his wife is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and he worries about disappointing his supporters and family if he loses.

Spoiler Alert! - He chokes

...and then "Mitt the LOSER" comes back 4 years later to viciously attack the character of the Republican leading in the primaries who winds up winning the election.

[Dustoff45]

Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the guy is certainly willing to lend an ear to his critics.

I like that Trump met with Jim Brown and Ray Lewis to hear about their accomplishments in the inner cities.

The CEO is looking to hear from SMEs (subject matter experts) so that his team can hit the ground running.

Both Jim Brown and Ray Lewis reported that Trump listened to them, asked questions until Trump understood better the message.

Insight into how he leads to success.

[ZULU]

You mean like you may not be an a-hole, Romney, but a total doofus instead?

[Kaslin]

Excellent point.

[Kaslin]

I don’t have use for Netflix, so I won’t watch the movie

[Pilgrim's Progress]

Sure, he’ll listen . . . just like he listened to you. But what came of it? Like as in your case, he is free to kick it (and you) to the curb.

[Kaslin]

Was Jim Brown and Rey Lewis critics of Donald Trump?
I am referring to the last paragraph of the article

Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the guy is certainly willing to lend an ear to his critics.

[BobL]

DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!!!!

Trump still has an election to win (tomorrow) and then Congress has to accept the results next months. He needs ALL THE SUPPORT possible from the Republican side if he wants to take office. And it’s working...other than that one nutcase in Texas, no other Republican Elector has been identified as potentially bailing on him. But I can PROMISE YOU that if he had treated other Republicans the way he did during the campaign, there would be a REVOLT going on now, probably big enough to sink him. He is being REALLY SMART, and even the Dems will admit this, once he takes office.

Let’s give him a chance to take office...and then go after him when necessary (really, if necessary).

[Eddie01]

Oh gosh no. Under no circumstances, unless you life is in danger, watch that piece of trash.

[Owen]

Romney is 69 yrs old, 70 in March.

His wife has MS and is 67. Prognosis is . . . the disease takes about 10 yrs off life expectancy.

Romney’s primary cause of offense to FR prior to this election was instituting a healthcare plan in Massachussetts whose structure will likely be very near what the GOP will craft as replacement for Obamacare.

[trebb]

LOL! Romney trying to get back because he was played...

[BenLurkin]

Trump is certainly open to posing with people in silly costumes...

[bigbob]

Trump converter Romney from a blathering critic who would have happily adorned every MSM talk show with anti-Trump rhetoric for years into - if not an ally, then at least a subdued enemy who will probably find better ways to occupy his time. That is a win and a skillful accomplishment no matter what you choose to call it.

[Leep]

We need Romney to tell us that?

[truth_seeker]

How about Trump and Romney have behaved like political adults, even classy, post-election?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Agree.

[Kaslin]

They sure have.

[Kaslin]

I told you I have no use for Netflix and refuse to get it.