Mitt Romney On Alleged Pact With Ron Paul: 'Of Course Not'

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was pressed Tuesday on the suspicion -- held by former Sen. Rick Santorum and various members of the political press corps -- that he and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) have made some sort of secret agreement to defend each other during the GOP campaign. In an interview with Fox Business Network that is set to air at 6:00 p.m, he formally denied the existence of a "quiet understanding" between himself and the congressman.

"No, of course not," he said, according to advance excerpts released by the news network. "No one is going to tell Ron Paul what to say. We like each other. We don't know each other extensively, but we get along just fine."

This won't quiet the rumors, so long as the two candidates continue to come to each other's defense during the debates or treat each other with kid gloves on the trail. But it is, at least, a formal denial.

Asked about another allegation -- that Romney will consider Paul's son Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as his running mate in exchange for the elder Paul's support -- the Massachusetts Republican again downplayed the conspiracy theories.

"I haven't got any thoughts about a possible running mate at this point; it would be presumptuous and premature. I haven't got the nomination. I am hoping to get it, but I have a long way to go. I have no comment to make on Vice Presidential candidates."

Earlier on HuffPost:

 

 

Comments

[Julia ButcherUtsumi]

12:59 PM on 02/29/2012

And further more, Romney by treating Ron Paul with respect is much smarter than the others who have been quite nasty to Paul. The GOP needs Paul voters period!

[Julia ButcherUtsumi]

12:56 PM on 02/29/2012

I know that this makes interesting news to some people, but give it a rest! The man is not going to fight for 30 plus years and then sell out! The MSM is a joke!!

[freedomjones]

09:19 AM on 02/29/2012

So Paul is going to sell out after 30 years of fighting for the constitution. I doubt it

[Saxton]

09:08 PM on 02/28/2012

Mitt, when have you ever given anyone a reason to believe anything that you say?

[whyworry]

08:15 PM on 02/28/2012

Part 2

The Republicans thought that with Obama as President, now is the perfect opportunity to push their aggressive agenda using the hate factor to spur it. The stance the Republican controlled Congress has taken on the tax cuts for the rich and women's contraceptives is defiance being driven by the Koch’s. They stepped out bold and I think they've over estimated the ability of their tactics. Paul and Romney have made a pact because they don’t want Santorum. So they’re playing nice in the mud pit.

[OmnibusKnowledge2]

08:04 PM on 02/28/2012

I think this is a sad indictment on the whole field. This campaign has gotten so negative that the mere fact that Romney and Paul are not at each other's throats is seen as evidence of a secret conspiracy between the two. This negativity will prove disastrous for the GOP nominee in November, and if Gary Johnson (the likely Libertarian nominee) can get into the debates, the Republicans could very well finish third in the general election.

[dagacheme]

10:34 AM on 02/29/2012

Was something illegal done by two or more people? If not, no conspiracy.....

[MisesWasRight]

07:23 PM on 02/28/2012

I find it bizarre that so many people can't understand that the person in first (Romney) and the person in third (Paul) naturally want to target the person in second (Santorum). I'm sure if they knock Santorum out they will focus on each other, but as it is they are merely playing their best strategy, no secret bargain needed.

[JohnFromCensornati]

07:05 PM on 02/28/2012

"I haven't got any thoughts about a possible running mate at this point"

No need to program the Romneybot2012 that far in advance.

[LONDON3]

06:30 PM on 02/28/2012

Oooooo ....so what do Ron Paul supporters have to say about that ?????

[dagacheme]

10:35 AM on 02/29/2012

We say it's MSM BS designed to make Ron look like a sell-out.

[LONDON3]

10:47 AM on 02/29/2012

...maybe he is??

[CoronaDischarge]

06:26 PM on 02/28/2012

Anything that splits the Not Romney vote, ... which is a big majority ... helps Mitt look like he has support. So, of course he is happy not to attack Paul. He needs him.

You can bet though, that in the event Paul ever dared to pull ahead, Mitt's WhackaLeader machine would spring into action. The last thing Mitt wants is to have it be a two man race, because that he cannot win. Keeping enough of them alive, but weak is his only path to victory. Ultimately, no one really likes the guy, ... even Fox. So what's a fellow to do, but divide and sneak out a majority for the convention?

[HymnsToSilence]

06:01 PM on 02/28/2012

A busy day in the life of Mitt Romney. 1) Respond to Ron Paul running-mate rumor. 2) Check on blind trust. 3) Call President Obama a one term president. 4) Secure dog to roof of car. 5) Talk about the good old days of helping FDR pull us out of the Great Depression. 6) Blame the press. 7) Relax at home with thoughts of repealing Obamacare.

[CoronaDischarge]

06:18 PM on 02/28/2012

He has to also practice America the Beautiful and his line about the right height trees for his concession speech tonight.

[HymnsToSilence]

06:48 PM on 02/28/2012

Oh! The humanity!!!

[SouthJewishWman]

05:47 PM on 02/28/2012

Romney says "of course not." Translation - "You bet we do."

[JanineMarie]

05:44 PM on 02/28/2012

He has a pact with Paul. Paul has more delegates than Romney. Rachel Maddow explained how that entire issue of delegates are obtained and how Paul's people stay at the meeting (where delegates are obtained) and Romeny's people disappear without a care in the world. Paul's own people appeared on Rachel's show and explained all this, and that Romney must be aware of the delegates Paul is obtaining. After listening to him on Rachel's show, it makes appears Romeny may indeed have a secret pact with Paul.

[jimmcclarin]

06:13 PM on 02/28/2012

Nah, Romney just hopes to be Ron Paul's veep if he fails at the nomination.

[doodlebug2]

06:26 PM on 02/28/2012

and visa versa

[dagacheme]

10:39 AM on 02/29/2012

I don't think Ron has more delegates than Mittens. I think he's projected to have the 2nd moat right now (when all the state conventions are done, later much later).

Ron would never be Romney's VP, and neither would Rand.

If it turns out the other way around - Mitt being Ron's VP that would scare the he** out of me. It would be like Reagan being forced to take Bush I....then I would expect an assassination attempt...

[mysaaed]

02:35 AM on 03/02/2012

Ma will be, may be, Ron Paul will be Obama's Vice President. What would you say about that?

[Javalation]

05:44 PM on 02/28/2012

They just like and respect each other. There's no secret agreement....
Does anyone believe this?

[Julia ButcherUtsumi]

01:01 PM on 02/29/2012

Yes.

[byteb]

05:42 PM on 02/28/2012

Since the first debate, Ron Paul has consistently avoided attacking Romney choosing instead to attack whomever was the biggest threat to Romney is that particular primary. Something is up. Maybe Rand is part of the equation.