Romney: I'm Not Running

Mitt Romney won't be a candidate in 2016 after all. In a call with supporters today, he said that "after putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to become our next nominee," reports Politico. Romney, citing early polls, said he's confident he could win the nomination if he runs. But he adds that another candidate from "our next generation of Republican leaders" might emerge as a stronger GOP candidate, and he doesn't want to get in that person's way.

"I do not want to make it more difficult for someone else to emerge who may have a better chance of becoming that president," said Romney. Still, he didn't shut the door completely, calling it "unlikely" that he will change his mind. But he is not forming a PAC, taking donations, or organizing a campaign team. Instead, he plans to help the eventual nominee. "I believe a Republican winning back the White House is essential for our country, and I will do whatever I can to make that happen." Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt posted his full remarks here. (More Mitt Romney stories.)