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SALT LAKE CITY -- Republicans might consider Mitt Romney a Presidential contender in 2012, but he may not have the backing of the growing Tea Party movement.
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Republicans are echoing the unrelenting demand of tea party activists whose energy and votes helped to fuel the largest turnover in the House in more than 70 years.Utah Tea Party organizer David Kirkham tells KSL, the problem with Mitt Romney is his record.
"You know, he supported TARP, big supporter of TARP, and of course that's what took Sen. Bennett down -- and Massachusetts Romney-care," Kirkham said.
I can tell you in 2012, we're going to be a very, very powerful force to deal with.
–David Kirkham
But Kirkham wasn't opposed to the idea of Romney as a running mate to a Tea Party candidate, even though he doesn't know who that candidate would be. He points out it's not too late -- and won't be for awhile -- for someone to decide to make a run for the White House, adding that Sen.-elect Mike Lee only started his bid to replace Sen. Bob Bennett in January of this year, long after most candidates would have decided to run.
Kirkham says what is clear is that someone will step up to the plate. He says the Tea Party has learned a lot from the midterm elections this year and that serves them well looking forward.
"I can tell you in 2012, we're going to be a very, very powerful force to deal with," Kirkham said.
E-mail: bbruce@ksl.com
