Sunday, November 20, 2016

Romney: I had a 'very thorough' talk with Trump

Mitt Romney met with President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday to discuss foreign policy as Trump continues to mull potential cabinet picks.
Romney emerged from the clubhouse at Trump's golf course in New Jersey a little over an hour after he arrived for the meeting, which comes amid speculation that Trump is considering him as a possible pick for secretary of State.
“We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theaters in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance,” Romney told reporters.
“We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. A very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had and appreciate the chance to speak with the president-elect and look forward to the coming administration.”
Romney did not say whether the two discussed a possible cabinet position.
The 2012 GOP presidential nominee was a vocal critic of Trump's candidacy and blasted the businessman during a speech in March, accusing Trump of conning Americans.
"Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said at the time. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He’s playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat."
Trump's transition team has said that some of the president-elect’s meetings this weekend are to solicit advice, and not all of his guests at the Bedminster, N.J., club are under consideration for cabinet posts.
As Romney approached reporters on Saturday, Trump remained near the front door of the clubhouse, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling out, "It went great."
 
The former Massachusetts governor didn't take questions and ignored the ones shouted at him after making his statement, which lasted about 30 seconds. 
 
"Do you still think he's a con artist, sir?" a reporter could be heard asking as Romney pivoted on his feet while looking around for his car to leave.
 
Trump was quick to fire back at Romney after the former Republican nominee delivered his blistering speech earlier this year warning about the dangers of a Trump presidency.
 
Trump called Romney's 2012 White House bid a "disaster" and labeled the former GOP governor a "choke artist" while feuding with other members of his party.
 
Romney has also warned about Russia, blasting Russian President Vladimir Putin last year as a "thug" as Trump expressed mutual respect for the Russian leader.
 
Romney is among a number of names that have been floated for secretary of State, along with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).
 
Trump's meeting with Romney came Saturday as the president-elect met with a series of potential cabinet picks as he works fill out top positions in his coming administration.
 
He also met with retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, GOP donor Betsy DeVos and Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of Washington, D.C., public schools.
 
On Sunday, Trump will meet with Giuliani, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
 
His transition team announced Friday Trump's pick of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as his nominee for attorney general, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) as CIA director and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as his national security advisor.

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