Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush will meet in Utah
2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are scheduled to meet in Utah just as it appears their presidential ambitions might lead to a fight in 2016.
Sources from both camps confirmed the meeting, which has apparently been on the books for more than two weeks, predating Romney's pronouncements that he is considering a third presidential bid. Both described the meeting as a social one, with no formal agenda.The meeting was first reported by the New York Times.
"This is a long scheduled meeting. Governor Bush is looking forward to catching up with Governor Romney," Bush aide Kristy Campbell said.
But the encounter could prove to be awkward now that both Romney and Bush have made it clear that they are actively exploring a presidential bid and are calling some of the same donors to lock down their support in the event they might run for president. It appeared to be Bush's announcement that he would actively explore a presidential bid that spurred Romney intensify his own consideration of another run.
CBS News Correspondent Julianna Goldman asked Bush about the meeting as he prepared to fly to Salt Lake City from Washington, D.C., Thursday morning.
"I like to ski. I can't comment," he quipped.
But Campbell later told CBS News, "I can confirm that they will likely not ski."
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Bobbie Kilberg, a longtime Republican fundraiser from Virginia who helped raise money for Romney in 2012 told CBS News there will be a fierce competition for fundraisers and bundlers, the people who help organize and solicit donations, between Romney, Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the three potential candidates who represent the center-right of the Republican party.
Although Kilberg said she sees Romney having more overlap with donors who might give to Christie, both Romney and Bush have the advantage of having had time to get to know fundraisers by dint of their previous campaigns (or in Bush's case, his father and brother's networks).
"Jeb was very smart strategically in coming out before Christmas and he just accelerated the pressure on everyone else...to move their process forward as well," Kilberg said.