Republicans continue dumping on a potential Romney candidacy
If 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney hoped that the idea of a third presidential run would grow on members of his party the more they thought about it, he was sorely mistaken.
Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corps/21st Century Fox had one of the harshest assessments, calling Romney "a terrible candidate" during an appearance at the Manhattan Institute Wednesday night, according to Politico. Murdoch argued that Romney "mishandled" his shot at the presidency, and said he secured the nomination "by destroying every other Republican with his own money."
He had kinder words for other Republicans weighing a 2016 bid. He said he likes both former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, even saying he was "very impressed" by Paul's brain.
Former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is also not a fan. Palin said in an interview with Inside Edition that aired Wednesday, "We need new energy. We need new blood. We need new ideas."
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker - a Republican who is also contemplating his own presidential bid - was clear about how he felt about a Romney 2016 candidacy.
"[Americans] don't want the worn-out, tired views of the past," he said in an interview with Politico Thursday.
Walker said he hoped the party "will be looking to new faces, new ideas, new leaders" in 2016 and said it would present a valuable contrast to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton if she seeks the Democratic nomination.
Though some of Romney's loyalists have welcomed the news that he might try for the presidency a third time, the argument that Romney is unwelcome among a sea of fresh contenders has been widespread among Republican politicians.
"When we choose who we are going to choose among the more the merrier, I think there is an argument to be made -- and he made this argument himself -- Governor Romney a month ago said, 'I've had my chance, it's time for somebody fresh and new,' and I kind of still tend to agree with what Governor Romney said," Paul told CBS News Political Director John Dickerson in an interview Wednesday.
He also said Romney "couldn't attract enough people" to win in 2012.