“Political deals are far less common than is supposed because politicians do not trust each other and ego and conflicting interests tend to tug them in different directions.”
That’s my impression too. My take is that Jeb had Mitt boxed in, and was there to notify him it was over, and negotiate the terms of surrender. Probably had Romney’s main donors locked up, and offered to throw him some bone to minimize the blowback from a disgruntled Romney. Mitt does seem a little miffed though.
NY Times and WaPo are reporting that the Romney folks were gauging their support on the ground for the three weeks prior, and found that it just wasn’t what good enough. So their take is that it was a unilateral decision by Mitt.
I hope that the rumor of Romney gunning for Mike Lee’s Senate seat are not true - Romney has established residency in Utah, is royalty in the Mormon Church, and could probably raise over 100 million if he needed to. Mike Lee is up for re-election in 2016.
Orrin Hatch is 80, but not up for re-election until 2018. Perhaps behind the scenes he might have to leave sooner for health (just baseless speculation there). The Governor of Utah is up in 2016.
Romney meets with Christie tonight, and sits next to Govenors Walker and Pence at dinner tomorrow. No doubt politicking hot and heavy.