Mitt Romney to nearly quadruple size of California beach house

This photo provided by Romney for President, Inc., shows the extended Romney family at their vacation home on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, N.H. in July 2007. From top, left to right: Andelynne, Ben, Jen, Tagg, Chloe (girl with bow), Laurie, Matt, Nick, Parker, Craig, Mary, Owen, and Josh. Bottom: Allie (long hair), Thomas (standing), Joe (sitting), wife Ann, Mia, Mitt, Grace, Jen, and Wyatt

/ AP Photo

White House hopeful Mitt Romney wants to make room for his extended family at his Spanish villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Romney has filed for permits for work that would almost quadruple the size of 3,009 square foot three-bedroom single-story home in tony La Jolla, California, near San Diego, to make way for a mansion. The plans call for a total demolition of the existing $12 million home and building a two-story, 11,062 square foot house in its stead, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the campaign told Politico that the new house is designed to be large enough for his five married sons and 16 grandchildren, though construction will not begin until "the campaign is finished." If Romney wins the Republican nomination, that would be November 2012.

And if he wins the presidency, the home could serve as a third "Western White House" in California. Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon each had California homes that served as a second residence while they were living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2008 found himself in political hot water after he conceded to an interviewer that he did not know precisely how many homes he and his wife Cindy owned. Democratic nominee and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry was criticized in 2004 for the many homes owned by his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

After dropping out of the 2008 race for the White House, Romney streamlined his real estate portfolio, selling a 9,500 square foot place near a Utah ski resort and offloading the 6,500 square foot home where he raised his five children in Massachusetts. The former Bain Capital executive, said to be worth more than $250 million, still has a vacation spot in New Hampshire and a townhouse in Boston.

[netjunkie1]

Americans were betrayed by the same people this man would keep in office...As long as board members of super corporations continue to serve in appointed positions, the public good will suffer.
The corruption stems from these czars..

[magik1369]

It must be nice to be a smarmy gazillionaire. However, Romney was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and was taught his whole life how to bilk the middle class of their money. Romney literally got rich selling bad investments at Baine Capital. When Romney was governor of my state of Ma., all our jobs went away. It was Romney that instituted mandatory health care.

[pws54]

And we wonder why real, middle class people can't get elected in this country. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Ralph34256782680529801]

I am so disappointed in CBS News. Where is the picture of his beachfront home taken from a helicopter? Instead we get a picture of Romney and all his kids. I'm switching to TMZ for my news.

[expatriate2]

Oh, now I understand why you think China's one child policy is offensive. I think the word is arrogant since you can lay out the cash to enlarge your home to fit your extended family while the Chinese peasant can't. And while you are fixed in your world, you want to be one of the leaders of mine? No thanks.

[kstevens114]

That house is going to put food on the table for many families! Stop whining!

[RobAla]

Looks like Romney is creating jobs already in the state of California. There will probably be an architect, a contractor, and several construction crews hired to do this work. Good for him. If he has the money and wants a larger home, he is contributing to others having jobs.

[antoniof123]

So he really feels our pain of being unemployed.

Please he will hire illegals to do the work so he pays less then scream he is a victim.

[Guitfiddel]

Yeah Right! Like that's going to put a big dent in the unemployment problem in California. Mitt Romney won't be nominated not only because he's an idiot, " Dah ah...Corporations are people too" which he really screwed the pooch when he said something that stupid to bunch of out of work farmers but, because the Party he's running under are too bigoted to nominate a Mormon for President. When he said that 'Corporations are people too' bloop, it was the just as stupid as when Sarah Palin told Katie Couric she had diplomatic experience because she could see Russia from her backyard! lol... That still brings me to tears when I think about it! lol... I love Sarah! She keeps me goin'. Romney is not stupid he's just out of touch with PEOPLE and he's spitting in the wind as far as being nominated by the Tea Party Republicans. NO CHANCE!! They may even take Herman first! lol... FAKE, FAKE!!

[gep1955]

With wealth you create, build and expand all things personal to you and keep tradesmen working. The democrats only see the wealthy as pawns they can steal money from to support welfare and food stamp programs aftre the tradesmen have lost their jobs.

[Guitfiddel]

What a crock!! So, you're saying if wealthy people finally get taxed the revenues got to people on welfare? I really don't think you even believe YOU believe what you've blogged. My question is why do you even waste your time to do it. Why? It seems so silly.

[catmomtx]

So, he builds his mega house and if he becomes President all you people whining about where President Obama goes on vacation will have no problem with your tax dollars equipping his house with all the electronics and security systems needed. It will be okay for him to spend records amount of vacation time in his "western White House", because unlike President Obama, he won't actually be on vacation, right?

[lucifersshadow]

And what exactly does Romney know about the average American citizen?

[RobAla]

At this point, I am ready to have a President who understand how to create jobs and how to stabilize a sick economy. I haven't decided who I will vote for yet (I know I will not vote for President Obama), but Romney is one of the candidates that has a proven background in economics and operating businesses. He is on my short list.

[netjunkie1]

by RobAla August 23, 2011 8:13 AM EDT
At this point, I am ready to have a President who understand how to create jobs and how to stabilize a sick economy. I haven't decided who I will vote for yet (I know I will not vote for President Obama), but Romney is one of the candidates that has a proven background in economics and operating businesses. He is on my short list.
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No he doesn't.
He made his money as a snake oil salesman.
Ask anyone who lost their job in Mass. while gov.
Furthermore, I view his religion not as religion, but instead as a force driving politics, history shows it, and his policies wont bring back a single middle class job.