Mitt Romney

===Primary election===
[[File:Romney 2011 Paradise Valley, AZ rally.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=Mitt Romney sitting outdoors during daytime, with crowd behind him holding up blue and white "Romney" signs |Giving an interview at a supporters rally in [[Paradise Valley, Arizona]]]]
On April 11, 2011, Romney announced, in a video taped outdoors at the [[University of New Hampshire]], that he had formed an [[exploratory committee]] for a run for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/romney-forms-presidential-exploratory-committee/ |first1=Paul |last1=Steinhauser |first2=Robert |last2=Yoon |title=Romney forms presidential exploratory committee |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303061152/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/romney-forms-presidential-exploratory-committee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="bg-ann-12" /> [[Quinnipiac University]] political science professor Scott McLean said, "We all knew that he was going to run. He's really been running for president ever since the day after the 2008 election."<ref name="bg-ann-12">{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/04/12/romney_takes_next_big_step_toward_run_for_president/|title=Romney takes next big step toward run for president|author=Viser, Matt|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115218/http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/04/12/romney_takes_next_big_step_toward_run_for_president/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Romney stood to benefit from the Republican electorate's tendency to nominate candidates who had previously run for president, and thus appeared to be next in line to be chosen.<ref name="pol062909" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/20/palin-or-romney-republicans-weigh-passion-vs-principle/|title=Palin or Romney: Republicans Weigh Passion vs. Principle|author=Lewis, Matt|work=[[Politics Daily]]|date=October 20, 2009|author-link=Matt Lewis (political blogger)|access-date=December 29, 2010|archive-date=November 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124134103/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/20/palin-or-romney-republicans-weigh-passion-vs-principle/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt060211" /> The early stages of the race found him as the apparent front-runner in a weak field, especially in terms of fundraising prowess and organization.<ref name="pol-x">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/x-factor-5-questions-for-the-gop-race-055095|title=X factor: 5 questions for the GOP race|author=Burns, Alexander|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=May 17, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124353/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/x-factor-5-questions-for-the-gop-race-055095|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-do-nothing-frontrunner/238376/|title=The Do-Nothing Frontrunner|author=Green, Joshua|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 5, 2011|author-link=Joshua Green (journalist)|access-date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119075612/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-do-nothing-frontrunner/238376/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pol-newopts" /> Perhaps his greatest hurdle in gaining the Republican nomination was party opposition to the [[Massachusetts health care reform]] law that he had shepherded five years earlier.<ref name="pol-5chal">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/5-challenges-for-front-runner-romney-052981|title=5 challenges for front-runner Mitt Romney|author=Martin, Jonathan|author2=Burns, Alexander|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124348/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/5-challenges-for-front-runner-romney-052981|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bg-ann-12" /><ref name="nyt060211" /> As many potential Republican candidates with star power and fundraising ability decided not to run (including [[Mike Pence]], [[John Thune]], [[Haley Barbour]], [[Mike Huckabee]], and [[Mitch Daniels]]), Republican party figures searched for plausible alternatives to Romney.<ref name="pol-x" /><ref name="pol-newopts">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/with-daniels-out-gop-hopes-for-new-options-055425|title=With Mitch Daniels out, GOP looking for new 2012 option|author=Martin, Jonathan|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=May 22, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124350/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/with-daniels-out-gop-hopes-for-new-options-055425|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 2, 2011, Romney formally announced the start of his campaign. Speaking on a farm in [[Stratham, New Hampshire]], he focused on the economy and criticized Obama's handling of it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-launches-presidential-bid-with-obama-misery-index-attack/ |title=Romney launches presidential bid with Obama 'misery index' attack|author=Condon, Stephanie|work=[[CBS News]]|date=June 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055025/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20068348-503544.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011}}</ref> He said, "In the campaign to come, the American ideals of economic freedom and opportunity need a clear and unapologetic defense, and I intend to make it – because I have lived it."<ref name="nyt060211">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/us/politics/03romney.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081039/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/us/politics/03romney.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Romney, Opening Race, Presents Himself as the Candidate to Face Obama|author=Shear, Michael D.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>

Romney raised $56 million in 2011, more than double the amount raised by any of his Republican opponents,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/us/politics/obama-raised-42-million-in-last-quarter-of-11.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113070326/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/us/politics/obama-raised-42-million-in-last-quarter-of-11.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Obama Raised $42 Million in Last Quarter of '11 |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 13, 2012}}</ref> and refrained from spending his own money on the campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Viser, Matt|title=Romney raises $14.2m last quarter, but trails Perry|url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/10/15/mitt_romney_raised_142_million_in_quarter/|date=October 15, 2011|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref> He initially pursued a low-key, low-profile strategy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/romneys-low-profile-strategy-060444 |title=Mitt Romney's low-profile strategy|author=Smith, Ben|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=August 1, 2011}}</ref> [[Michele Bachmann]] staged a brief surge in polls, which preceded a poll surge in September 2011 by [[Rick Perry]], who had entered the race the month before.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/accelerating-gop-race-poised-to-test-perrys-staying-power-romneys-obama-strategy |title=Accelerating GOP Race Poised to Test Perry's Staying Power, Romney's Obama Strategy|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=September 3, 2011}}</ref> Perry and Romney exchanged sharp criticisms of each other during a series of debates among the Republican candidates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-25/GOP-presidential-race-Romney-Perry-debates/50547872/1|title=GOP debates signal a race between Romney and Perry|author=Kucinich, Jackie|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> The October 2011 decisions of Palin and [[Chris Christie]] not to run effectively settled the field of candidates.<ref name="ap-field" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2011/1111/Newt-Gingrich-Will-his-mini-surge-in-the-polls-last |title=Newt Gingrich: Will his mini-surge in the polls last? |last=Tulumello |first=Jennifer Skalka |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Perry faded after poor performances in those debates, while [[Herman Cain]]'s "long-shot" bid gained popularity until allegations of sexual misconduct derailed it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cain-and-gingrich-benefit-from-perry-swoon |first=Chris |last=Stirewalt |title=Cain and Gingrich Benefit from Perry Swoon|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=September 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cain-suspends-presidential-campaign-cites-hurt-caused-by-false-allegations |title=Cain Suspends Presidential Campaign, Cites 'Hurt' Caused by 'False' Allegations|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=December 3, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:RomneyToledo (8069625998).jpg|thumb|250px|Romney campaign event in Toledo, Ohio]]
Romney continued to seek support from a wary Republican electorate; at this point in the race, his poll numbers were relatively flat and at a historically low level for a Republican front-runner.<ref name="ap-field">{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016416269_apuscampaign2012reset.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114032852/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016416269_apuscampaign2012reset.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2012|title=With GOP Field Set, Romney Woos The Unconvinced|agency=[[Associated Press]]|author=Babington, Charles|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=October 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Lydia |last=Saad |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/149990/Cain-Surges-Nearly-Ties-Romney-Lead-GOP-Preferences.aspx |publisher=[[The Gallup Organization]]|title=Cain Surges, Nearly Ties Romney for Lead in GOP Preferences|date=October 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://swampland.time.com/2011/12/01/mitt-romney-why-dont-they-like-him/ |title=Why Don't They Like Mitt?|last=Klein |first=Joe |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=December 1, 2011|author-link=Joe Klein}}</ref> After the charges of [[Flip-flop (politics)|flip-flopping]] that marked his 2008 campaign began to accumulate again, Romney said in November 2011: "I've been as consistent as human beings can be."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/10/09/romney_rivals_may_go_after_him_for_flip_flops/ |title=Romney rivals may go after him for flip-flops|author=Elliot, Philip|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=October 9, 2011}}</ref><ref name="cbs-shifting">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitt-romneys-shifting-views-on-climate-change/ |title=Mitt Romney's shifting views on climate change|first=Coral |last=Davenport |work=[[CBS News]]|date=October 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name="wapo-ff">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/romney-says-hes-been-consistent/2011/11/03/gIQAbfJejM_blog.html|title=Romney says he's been consistent|author=Wallsten, Peter|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 3, 2011}}</ref> In the month before voting began, [[Newt Gingrich]] experienced a significant surge – taking a solid lead in national polls and most of the early caucus and primary states<ref name="pol-nfr">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/12/romney-newts-the-front-runner-070298 |title=Mitt Romney on Newt Gingrich: He's the front-runner|author=Allen, Mike|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> – before settling back into parity or worse with Romney following a barrage of negative ads from [[Restore Our Future]], a pro-Romney [[Super PAC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-newt-gingrichs-lead-over-romney-is-gone/ |title=Poll: Newt Gingrich's lead over Romney is gone|author=Montopoli, Brian|work=[[CBS News]]|date=December 19, 2011}}</ref>

In the initial contest, the [[United States presidential election in Iowa, 2012|Iowa caucuses]] of January 3, election officials announced Romney as ahead with 25% of the vote, edging out a late-gaining [[Rick Santorum]] by eight votes ([[Ron Paul]] finished third).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/01/03/politics/iowa-caucus/index.html|title=Romney defeats Santorum by 8 votes in Iowa|work=[[CNN]]|date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref> Sixteen days later, however, they certified Santorum as the winner by 34 votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/the-semantics-and-statistics-of-santorums-win-in-iowa/ |title=The Semantics and Statistics of Santorum's Win in Iowa|author=Silver, Nate|work=[[FiveThirtyEight]], The New York Times|date=January 19, 2012|author-link=Nate Silver}}</ref> A week after the Iowa caucuses, Romney earned a decisive win in [[New Hampshire Republican primary, 2012|the New Hampshire primary]] with 39% of the vote; Paul finished second and [[Jon Huntsman Jr.]] third.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-secures-front-runner-status-with-new-hampshire-win-looks-to-take-momentum-into-south-carolina |title=Romney secures front-runner status with New Hampshire win, looks to take momentum into South Carolina|date=January 11, 2012}}</ref>

In the run-up to the [[South Carolina Republican primary, 2012|South Carolina Republican primary]], Gingrich launched ads criticizing Romney for causing job losses while at Bain Capital, Perry referred to Romney's role there as "[[vulture capitalist|vulture capitalism]]", and Palin pressed Romney to prove his claim that he created 100,000 jobs during that time.<ref name="fox011312">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-gingrich-tangle-over-ads-in-south-carolina |title=Romney, Gingrich tangle over ads in South Carolina|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=January 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/palin-mitt-needs-bain-show-tell-071364 |title=Sarah Palin: Mitt Romney needs Bain show & tell|newspaper=[[Politico]]|author=Lee, MJ|date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> Romney also faced accusations of [[Asset Stripping|asset stripping]].<ref>Kantrow, Yvette. (January 23, 2012). [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/romneys-bain_b_1219990 ''Romney's Bain'']. ''[[HuffPost]]''.</ref><ref>[[Maureen Dowd|Dowd, Maureen]]. (January 10, 2012). [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/dowd-a-perfect-doll.html ''A Perfect Doll'']. ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref><ref>Porritt, Richard. (April 13, 2012). [https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/rivals-force-mitt-romney-to-defend-former-life-as-an-asset-stripper-7308556.html ''Rivals force Mitt Romney to defend former life as an 'asset stripper'']. ''[[Evening Standard]]''.</ref> Many conservatives rallied in defense of Romney, rejecting what they took to be criticism of free-market capitalism.<ref name="fox011312" /> During two debates in the state, Romney fumbled questions about releasing his income tax returns, while Gingrich gained support with audience-rousing attacks on the debate moderators.<ref name="mcc-sc" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/01/south-carolina-debate-gingrich-nails-open-marriage-question-bests-a-flustered-romney.html |title=The Brawl |last=Dickerson |first=John |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref> Romney's double-digit lead in state polls evaporated; he lost the January 21 primary to Gingrich by 13 points.<ref name="mcc-sc" /> Combined with the delayed loss in Iowa, Romney's poor week represented a lost chance to end the race early, and he quickly decided to release two years of his tax returns.<ref name="mcc-sc">{{cite news |first1=Steven |last1=Thomma |first2=David |last2=Lightman |first3=Gina |last3=Smith |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article24722665.html |title=Gingrich wins huge come-from-behind victory in South Carolina|agency=[[McClatchy Newspapers]]|date=January 21, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021234414/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article24722665.html |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/01/mitt_romney_will_release_tax_r.html |first=Steve |last=Peoples |title=Mitt Romney will release tax returns Tuesday; rival Newt Gingrich calls himself most electable GOP candidate |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[MassLive.com]] |date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> The race turned to the [[United States presidential election in Florida, 2012#Republican primary|Florida primary]], where in debates, appearances, and advertisements, Romney launched a sustained barrage against Gingrich's record, associations and electability.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/florida-is-armageddon-071862 |title=Florida Republican primary is 'Armageddon'|author=Burns, Alexander|author2=Bravender, Robin|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/the-calculations-that-led-romney-to-the-warpath.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129211323/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/the-calculations-that-led-romney-to-the-warpath.html |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Calculations That Led Romney to the Warpath|author=Rutenberg, Jim|author2=Zeleny, Jeff|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 28, 2012}}</ref> Romney enjoyed a large spending advantage from both his campaign and his aligned Super PAC, and after a record-breaking rate of negative ads from both sides, Romney won Florida on January 31, with 46% of the vote to Gingrich's 32%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/politics/florida-primary/index.html|title=Romney claims victory in Florida, builds new momentum |first1=Tom |last1=Cohen |first2=Paul |last2=Steinhauser |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 1, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Paul Ryan with Mitt Romney in Norfolk, Virginia 8-11-12.jpg|right|thumb|250px|alt=Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seen in medium distance on an outdoor stage, with large crowd around them|With running mate [[Paul Ryan]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], during the vice presidential selection announcement on August 11, 2012]]

Several caucuses and primaries took place during February, and Santorum won three in a single night early in the month, propelling him into the lead in national and some state polls and positioning him as Romney's chief rival.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/14/polls-all-tied-up-between-romney-and-santorum/ |first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |title=Polls: All tied up between Romney and Santorum |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124352/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/14/polls-all-tied-up-between-romney-and-santorum/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Days later, Romney told the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] that he had been a "severely conservative governor"<ref>{{cite news|last=Fahrenthold|first=David A.|title=Mitt Romney was 'severely conservative', he tells CPAC|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romney-was-severely-conservative-governor-he-tells-cpac/2012/02/10/gIQABoNT4Q_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 10, 2012}}</ref> (while in 2005 he had maintained that his positions were moderate and characterized reports that he was shifting to the right to attract conservative votes as a media distortion).<ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips |first=Frank |title=Romney says media distort his views: insists positions moderate in US, except in Mass |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/22/romney_says_media_distort_his_views/ |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=December 22, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627072700/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/22/romney_says_media_distort_his_views?page=full%2F |archive-date=June 27, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Romney won the other five February contests, including a [[Michigan Republican primary, 2012|closely fought one in Michigan]] at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/28/election/2012/primaries/index.html |first=Tom |last=Cohen |title=Romney wins Michigan and Arizona|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mitt-romney-wins-wyoming-caucuses/2012/02/29/gIQAj2yRjR_blog.html|title=Mitt Romney wins Wyoming caucuses|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 29, 2012|first=Aaron|last=Blake}}</ref> In the [[Super Tuesday, 2012|Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses of March 6]], Romney won six of ten contests, including a [[Ohio Republican primary, 2012|narrow victory in Ohio]] over a vastly outspent Santorum. Although his victories were not enough to end the race, they were enough to establish a two-to-one delegate lead over Santorum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-builds-delegate-lead-with-super-tuesday-wins |title=Romney builds delegate lead with Super Tuesday wins|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=March 7, 2012}}</ref> Romney maintained his delegate margin through subsequent contests,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-sweeps-3-primary-contests-eyes-general-election-battle |title=Romney sweeps 3 primary contests, eyes general election battle|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> and Santorum suspended his campaign on April 10.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/04/10/politics/campaign-wrap/index.html |title=Santorum suspends campaign, clearing Romney's path|first=Tom|last=Cohen|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 10, 2012}}</ref> Following a sweep of five more contests on April 24, the [[Republican National Committee]] put its resources to work for Romney as the party's [[presumptive nominee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-apr-25-la-pn-rnc-officially-names-mitt-romney-the-partys-presumptive-nominee-20120425-story.html |title=RNC officially names Mitt Romney the party's 'presumptive nominee'|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 25, 2012|first=Michael A.|last=Memoli}}</ref>