Decision Time for Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney is expected to tell supporters whether he’ll run for president again in an 11am ET conference call.

Mark Halperin: “Those who have been helping Romney make up his mind say there are three factors in favor of a run, and two factors against. The main rationale on the ‘go’ side is Mitt and Ann Romney’s strongly held conviction that no one in the current field would make a better president… The second factor driving Romney towards another run, say those familiar with his thinking, is a host of emphatically encouraging poll results. There is ample public polling that suggests leads in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, as well as nationally.”

“Nevertheless, the opposite side of the 2016 balance sheet contains some grim realities. The Romney clan is only too aware of the toll a presidential run would take, with physical, emotional, and psychic stresses barreling down directly upon Mitt and Ann and spilling onto family and friends around the country. While to the Romneys the call to service rings loud and true, the prospect is daunting to the entire family.”