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Romney Says Election an Endorsement of Conservative Views

Romney Says Election Was Endorsement of Conservative Principles

Senator Mitt Romney said Republican gains in many down-ballot races in last week’s election were an endorsement of conservative principles, while losing the White House was “a referendum on a person.”

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” one of three appearances on Sunday, Romney said it was legitimate for President Donald Trump to pursue any irregularities in the Nov. 3 vote. “But if, as expected, those things don’t change the outcome, why, he will accept the inevitable,” Romney added.

Romney Says Election an Endorsement of Conservative Views

“I’m more concerned about the language that’s used” in describing those challenges, he said.

“There’s a battle going on around the world between authoritarianism and freedom, and it’s important for the cause of democracy and freedom that we don’t allege fraud and theft and so forth unless there’s very clear evidence,” Romney said on “Fox News Sunday. “At this stage, that evidence hasn’t been produced.”

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee highlighted the seats picked up by his party in the House of Representatives and in state races, as well as holding its Senate majority pending two run-off votes in Georgia set for January.

“The presidential race was more a referendum on a person, and when it comes to policy we did pretty well,” Romney said. “I don’t think the American people want to sign up for the Green New Deal. I don’t think they want to sign up for getting rid of coal or oil or gas.”

Since his election to the Senate Romney has been one of the few senior Republicans willing to stand up to Trump publicly. He also was the lone Republican in the U.S. Senate to back Trump’s impeachment earlier this year.

New Relevance

In a hyper-partisan America, the former Massachusetts governor finds himself in a politically lonely place under Trump. But, with Biden in the White House and a potentially fragile majority in the Senate, Romney may find a new relevance.

On Saturday, Romney and his wife Ann were the first prominent Republicans to congratulate Biden and running mate Kamala Harris on their victory. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski followed Saturday night.

“We know both of them as people of good will and admirable character,” Romney said in a statement. “We pray that God may bless them in the days and years ahead.”

While most other current Republican elected officials have been silent on Biden’s election, former President George W. Bush issued a statement on Sunday that he’d talked to Biden and “extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night.”

“I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can,” the 43rd U.S. president said.

Maryland’s Republican Governor Larry Hogan, said Sunday on CNN that “it’s time to get behind the winner of the race.”

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.