Former GOP presidential nominee says he expects about 15 people to toss their hat into the ring for a 2016 bid — but he definitely won't be among them.
Speaking on the debut airing of Bloomberg Politics'
"With All Due Respect" with Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, Romney once again threw cold water on speculation he might consider a late entry into the race.
"Are we right, basically, that you’re in the same position you were: you’re not inclined to run, your family isn’t gung-ho about it. But if you look out and see no Jeb Bush, no Chris Christie, no one you think can raise the money, compete against a Democratic nominee, that you’ll think about it?" Halperin asked.
"I think Jeb is an excellent person, can be a terrific president. I think that about a lot of the people who are running on the Republican side, who I think will get in," Romney replied.
"My guess is that you’re going to see 15 or so people on stage at the first debate. I don’t know who all they’re going to be at this stage."
He predicted that among the crowded field, "we’re going to see someone who catches fire, who ignites the interests of the Republican base, and you’re going to see someone who can go on to be president."
In the wide-ranging interview, Romney also noted even Hillary Clinton has been critical of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, just as, most recently former CIA director Leon Penetta, who's criticized the president strategy as "adrift."
"Well, I think when you have someone who is clearly identified as a leader in Democrat circles say what Republicans have been saying, frankly say what Hillary Clinton said the other day about the president's foreign policy as well saying basically he doesn't have one, that saying we're not going to mess up is not a foreign policy," he said.
He also says the president's policy has been "extraordinarily ineffective.'
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