Romney, Obama to have lunch at the White House

Gov. Mitt Romney delivers his concession speech on election night.

Three weeks after facing defeat in his bid for the presidency, former GOP nominee Mitt Romney will head to the White House tomorrow for a private lunch with President Obama, according to the White House.

The lunch, which will take place in the White House's Private Dining Room, will be the pair's first meeting since the election. There will be no press coverage.

In his election night speech, Mr. Obama expressed a desire to meet with Romney "to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward." Doubling down on that idea in his first press conference following the election, the president said that while "we haven't scheduled something yet" because "I think everybody needs to catch their breath," he hoped to have a chance to sit down with his former rival before the end of the year.

• So, what's Mitt Romney been up to?

"There are certain aspects of Governor Romney's record and his ideas that I think could be very helpful," Mr. Obama told reporters on November 14. "He presented some ideas during the course of the campaign that I actually agree with. And so it'd be interesting to talk to him about something like that."

Romney has kept a relatively low profile since the election, though he and family members were spotted taking a trip to Disneyland, and he posted a photo on Facebook of himself and wife Ann Romney hanging out in the kitchen on the day after Thanksgiving.

According to Eric Fehrnstrom, a top adviser to Romney during the campaign, Romney was "glad to accept" the invite. He'll also visit with former running mate Paul Ryan while he's in Washington.

"It was a gracious invitation from the president, which Mitt Romney was glad to accept," said Fehrnstrom. "Gov. Romney is also meeting with Paul Ryan while in town Thursday."

Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary, said in his daily briefing that the lunch was not an audition for a Cabinet-level position, nor did Mr. Obama have "a specific assignment in mind for the Governor."

"He looks forward to discussing with Governor Romney a variety of issues, including the President's interest in making the federal government more efficient," Carney said.

No menu or further details about the lunch have been announced.

[margroks]

Frankly, I don't think Romney deserves any more coddling. He lost because he was a lying idiot who admitted he wouldn't follow the truth in what he said about Obama. Obama is clearly the better man but Romney would have destroyed the country just to put money in his rich cronies' pockets. Let him sit and whine about his loss. Seriously, this man didn't write a concession speech because he was so arrogant that he was sure he's win and that's pathetic.

[nfission235]

Obama is far too kind a person, he's a better man than I. He reaches out to everybody which is of course why he was re-elected. He's just such a good person and wants what's best for everybody. Gotta admire the man.

[Dakotachrome]

meet with Romney "to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward." Translation: Mitt can you tell me how to fix the economy, I have no clue. I've already called the Prime Minister of Canada, Steven Harper to ask his advice - it seems Economists have a better idea of what to do than any of the elf's in my Democratic caucus....gee, it's tough being Santa Claus ..

[1pheasant1]

Right! As if anybody would ask a person that subscribes to Bush's economic policies for advice. Too funny!

[Ulgnud]

Obviously Romney has something Obama wants. Romney should not waste his time on Obama. We'll be there to pick up the pieces after Obama finishes trashing the US.

[1pheasant1]

Sure! You Republicans can't even clean up after soiling yourselves.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

Such a wonderful, cooperative, positive attitude. Just what our country needs! You should be so proud.

[1pheasant1]

If he's a true Republican, he'll obstruct the entrances into the White House kitchen, and then complain that nothing was prepared.

[jamie047]

Us conservatives aren't interested in working with liberals. If Romney joins the Obama Administration, then the three million GOP that didn't vote were right to not vote. No genuine conservative would be willing to accept a union of the Democrats and Republicans either. What we conservatives think doesn't matter though as the system will do whatever it wants regardless.

[RedDeath50]

Please, move to a country that shares your views and beliefs. I would strongly recommend Iran or North Korea. Hurry before the ship leaves without you!

[jamie047]

I'm not alone if the conservative postings below mean anything.

[rksharma-2009]

It is gracious of the president to invite Mitt for lunch even when Mitt continues to remain bitter from the loss that he has just suffered. I hope this lunch will teach his some humility and be a better person. Mitt it is better to be a good person than to win everything in life.

[logictoo]

It is surely not because Obama wants to be gracious. He most assuredly wants something.

[onthedelaware]

Obama is very smart. I am hoping for something "Big" to create a new energy infrastructure -- huge undertaking and life changing. Many opportunities for growth in States and many opportunities to partner with European countries that has excellent technology we can incorporate. Why not Romney? Investment is something he appears to know about. The only way to find out if he is up for a collaboration is to meet with him and a good idea. The two party system is on the ropes. Things are still a mess in the Congress. The President is starting at the top of the Republican food chain to say it is not just a country of Democrats that need to work hard to fix this -- it is a country of Republicans that need to come along with ideas -- don't be shy!

[luadda22]

Mitt, what ever you do, don't complain and send anything back to the kitchen. Then eat it when they bring it back out (they may have added some special sauce).

[NinthSt78]

They are both being good sports, and I wish we saw more of that sort of thing. As long as the waiter or waitress doesn't try to set Kiev Duck on the table, everything will be beautiful.