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From governor's son to presidential contender, a look at the life of Republican Mitt Romney.
If Mitt Romney had won the presidential election, insiders say, it’s not hard to imagine what he and his number two, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, would have been tackling on this very day.
An extensive preparation plan dubbed the "Romney Readiness Project," pulled together by the GOP nominee’s team and no longer of any use, offers detailed insight into how ready he was to take the reins, the sources told NBC News.
Romney and Ryan each had office space set aside for them at a transition office in southwest Washington, D.C., where former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt led a team of hundreds of advisers tasked with crafting an ambitious agenda for the Republican’s first 200 days in office.
Insiders describe a well-prepared transition that was ready to hit the ground running on Nov. 7, and begin the work of fashioning a Romney government.
Leavitt was in Boston on Election Day, prepared to brief Romney if the GOP nominee proved victorious.
"We built a great ship, and regrettably, in my view, we didn't sail. I think it would have been a crisp transition," Leavitt said in an interview with NBC News. "I got up every morning from the day he asked me to do this — not naively — assuming that we would be elected, and we needed to be prepared."
Charles Dharapak / AP
Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt is seen in this June 23, 2012 file photo.
The extensive and well-prepared operation resembled the inner workings of Bain Capital, the venture capital firm founded by Romney, according to multiple sources associated with the transition, who asked not to be identified to more candidly discuss the process.
“In many ways, it felt like the West Wing,” one transition official said in praise of the professional environment.
The preparations were enabled by a 2010 law, the “Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act,” which afforded Romney (along with any other future nominees) government support and office space to begin the arduous work of planning a handover of government. Officials in the transition team were allowed use of a government email address ending in “@ptt.gov.”
The Romney campaign had prepared for a victory on Tuesday, accidentally publishing their candidate's official transition website, which included a section on how to join the Romney administration. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Romney was the first major party nominee able to take advantage of this law, and in June he selected Leavitt, who served as Utah governor while Romney headed the Salt Lake City Olympics, to lead the effort.
Sources described Leavitt as having taken seriously Romney’s mandate to prepare a new administration. The former Department of Health and Human Services secretary told NBC News that he reviewed books and manuscripts to prepare for his role, in addition to speaking to individuals involved in transitions from the Carter through Obama administrations.
The Romney transition was divided into groups that focused on specific areas of emphasis – the economy, foreign policy, education, for instance – to help shape policy for the early days of a Romney administration, as well as personnel.
Among the plans for the transition included the formation of teams that would begin immediately working with government agencies to lay the groundwork for the new administration.
There were “landing teams” prepared to go into government agencies two weeks after the election and begin the work of handing over to a Romney administration. Separate “beachhead” teams would then be deployed into those agencies immediately following the inauguration on Jan. 20.
“They'd obviously thought about structure and process,” said one transition adviser.
Additionally, plans included the crafting of an agenda detailing what actions Romney would take — mostly to follow through with campaign promises — beginning the Thursday after Inauguration Day.
"We had the first 45 days of the administration scheduled," Leavitt said. "We felt there was a need for crisp and early action. We were literally writing executive orders. It was a federal government in miniature."
According to Leavitt, many preparations involved assembling a menu of options for Romney to enact his plans for government or to make good on campaign pledges, like labeling China a currency manipulator or allowing the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
Rep. Raul Labrador, Columnist Tom Friedman, Former White House chief of staff John Podesta, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, and GOP strategist Mike Murphy share their views on what the GOP needs to do moving forward.
But Leavitt also emphasized that no decisions were ever made.
The transition’s portfolio also included the early work of approaching potential candidates to head cabinet agencies, along with prospective nominees for other positions that would require Senate confirmation. Those candidates were also vetted at a very preliminary level.
The end result was a list of 10 candidates for each cabinet post, which was pared down by Leavitt and two other campaign confidants: Beth Myers, Romney’s former chief of staff who led the search for his vice presidential nominee, and Bob White, a longtime Romney friend and associate.
The hope was to have Romney name many of his top cabinet nominees by Thanksgiving – this week, in essence. But, according to one transition source, Romney was never made privy to these rosters of would-be administration officials. The former Massachusetts governor was busy setting about the work of campaigning for the presidency.
"To my knowledge, there were no conversations between Gov. Romney and anyone about cabinet positions," said Leavitt, who explained that he opted to exercise tight control of these deliberations once campaign outsiders sought information about the process. "The number of people who knew whose names were on the pared-down lists was probably about four people."
Romney tapped Leavitt at a point in the election cycle that was comparable to Obama’s selection of John Podesta to lead his transition project four years earlier. Podesta served as White House chief of staff under Bill Clinton.
“The president asked me to do that in June after Sen. (Hillary) Clinton dropped out of the race, and I began organizing that with a group of people in early July. We had a fairly elaborate process working by late summer,” Podesta said of his experience. “By the time Election Day happened, we were fully engaged in the process of thinking through both the security transition and the economic crisis in fall of that year.”
In this archive video from before the election, Mike Allen discusses Romney campaign transition preparations on "Morning Joe."
Like much of Romney’s campaign, the transition team folded following his loss on Nov. 6. But future nominees — Democratic or Republican — might be well-served to study the work of the “Romney Readiness Project.”
Because of term limits, America will have a new president in 2016, and a transition of some kind will be necessary.
“I think it's highly appropriate,” Podesta said of the new transition process sanctioned by Congress. “It normalizes the transition, so you don't get all the political garbage about 'measuring the drapes.' It's a very complicated process, and having been on both ends of it, I think it's very important for the country to make it as seamless and professional as possible.”
Said Leavitt of the experience enabled by the new law: "One of the best things the law did was that it created an expectation that people would plan. Because you can't just become president of the United States in 77 days, and do it well."
Leave a Comment:
Can anyone tell me how Obama plan s to get us out of this economic mess? Besides raising taxes on those making 250,000 or more. In your own talking points. not Obama s.
Yes, for starters. Keep every Republican miles away from the Treasury, especially George W. Bush!
Yes. Tim Geithner has had a stellar run in that department. The man looks like the 4 year old that just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar every time he is on television. It does not inspire a lot of confidence.
Well first of all, recind the Bush Tax cuts, unfortunately at this moment only on those earning 250 or more. Reduce Military Spending ( by ending wars), give Tax incentives to companies that home source jobs and Tax those that outsource. Reduce Government Spending ( I would get rid of Homeland Security myself) And do not forget that he is going to have to try and accomplish all this without causeing another recession. Or he could go for Austerity Measures which would adversly affect the poor, sick and lower income earners . Ooops sorry that was the Romney/Ryan ticket that they could not tell you about.
Reduce Government spending.. Hahahaha. You dont know anything about this administration. The government payroll has grown more under this administration than any in history.
“In many ways, it felt like the West Wing,” Yeah, keep dreaming. So much planning and you could not even give a detail plan of what you were going to do and at the end tried to be Santa "I will do this... I will do that... (the I say whatever as long as I can win) Give me a break Mr. Flipflopper!
"Because you can't just become president of the United States in 77 days, and do it well." This is funny!!!
Obama has had 1460 Days and STILL hasn't gotten it right!!!
GOD BLESS US ALL!!
WE ARE GONNA NEED IT!
I wonder how many of Hostess' Union employees voted for Obama??
....I'm still trying to figure out what Obama's plan is??? Do you know?
One plan is too let the "Bush/Obama" tax cuts expire on Jan 1 2013.
The tax cuts would bring in an additional $84 Billion in tax dollars. That doesnt even make a dent in the FY 2009 deficit of 1.5 Trillion.
And by the way, we'll quit blaming Bush when his $11.9 trillion dollar Chinese Credit Card debt is paid in full.
Your math is off. Bush added $5.8 trillion to the debt in his 8 years. Obama bested him by adding over $6 trillion in 4.
If Bush only had $5.8 trillion in debt then how did the deficeit reach $16 trillion.....????? Again, your math doesn't add up politicoguy.
because the other 6.1 trillon was added before bush took office!!!!
grow up!
simple math! just like obumma is not responsible for the full 16 trillion, just his 6.1 trillion
First, it is the National Debt, not deficit.
When Bush took office, the National Debt was $5.8 Trillion. When he left office it was $10.8 Trillion.
It stands at $16.1 Trillion today.
It really is simple math.
Bush doubled it in 8 years, and Obama added 60% to it again in 4.
So you same old nuts are still basking in your glory! What glory is that, you obviously have not received a job. The White House is an embarrassment of manipulators and liars. What are you all going to do when the hand outs quit? Right now your number one is off in a country that represents nothing to this country all the while New York and New Jersey look like a third world country. He is still doing everything he can not to do anything. Own it dumb ones, your hand feeding is over.
Don't fret right wingnuts:
According to reports, Mittens has bought a large parcel of land on the Mormon planet of Kolob, where he plans on building an amusement park called Romneywood
All bible thumpers will get in on reduced rates
Mittens Romney gallivant around scape goating and blaming everybody else for his gigantic defeat... Apparently when Romney look in the mirror, he doesn't recognize himself and the fact that he's the only one to blame for his defeat... Romney/Ryan Republicans ==> Losers
I voted for Obama because Romney scared me a bit. . . But only a bit more than Obama. America is in for some hard times, and Obama doesn't give me any confidence that he can handle the storm that is comming. I would have liked to trust Romney because I do believe tough love is the only thing that will slow down the hemoraging. Anyone that thinks America can recover from the impending financial nuclear explosion in the next 4 years, by chanting the usual Democratic rhetoric is brain dead. This was another bad election with the usual suspects, perpetrators, and mindless cheering sections.
I supported Romney purely on the economic points. I voted for Obama in 2008 as McCain made me nervous predominantly because Sarah Palin was a heartbeat away, and McCain is not the picture of health.
Maybe they could sell there plan to Barry and the Idiot. Let's say 500 Billion. Then they could say it was theirs and get the country out of the hole they have it in.
No too much for these two clowns. Now that he is on his Asian tour, next Central and South America. Stop for Carnival. I guess if he is out of the country the problems will fix themselves.
4 more years, 4 more years. Will it be 2016 or 1984?
GBA
cintra
/lesigh
Point taken Morlack however.... Are you sleeping thru the news? Companies laying off, lowering hours and/or simply closing shop because of Obamacare. Between now and the implementation of Obamacare the amount of people with no health insurance will be significantly higher than it is now. As will be the unemployment number.
Yes i have read that and after some research have realized that they are the billionaires (such as owner of papa johns) that wanted romney to win and give them bigger tax breaks. Now that romney lost and they might actually have to pay around a whole 4 more percentage points, these billionaires are now behaving like selfish two year old brats, and are hurting innocent people with their bs attitudes. So the fault lies with these billionaires not obama.
And in case you dont understand, business owners are NOT the job creators. Consumers are the job creators, so when obama fights to keep taxes low on everyone below 250k he is actually fighting for the job creators. After all no one builds a business in the absence of demand, and no business can survive or thrive without demand, no matter how much money investors invest into a company.
Business owners are not job creators??????? Who was first? The chicken or the egg???
This one is easy, demand comes first of course. Like i said no one builds a business in absence of demand, it is demand that influences people to build businesses.
But you still have to have those willing to open a business to create those job.. It has to be profitable to do so. If not, just sit back and demand....
you are a joke!
There is an old saying that you deserve the government that you elect.
May God help us all.
Bingo...
How critical it was that we get someone competent into the White House. Instead, the simple-minded voter puts in place for another four years Jeremiah Wright's protege. As his spiritual mentor of twenty years screamed:
"God damn America!" And so it is. This country is finished.

I find it hilarious that MSNBC is still running articles on Romney instead of oh I don't know. The fiscal cliff, the debt, unemployment etc. The election is over yet you are still consumed by this non news while our country looms on the brink of disaster. Hilarious
Coming back from the brink that your last Arse clown left us with. Thanks for that.
Isn't it, actually I have found it quite humerous to step back and watch how the Media cannot and has to be quite careful what they report on. No news, really? They report on the AMA's. Come January when the Obama disaster comes full swing, watch these posters go through the roof when it actually hits them as well. Did you know we missed the first Obama Healthcare deadline? Another extension was awarded to those that are required to provide health insurance for themselves, oh ghee not everybody is doing what they were suppose to do. Maybe Rice could explain to me how I should handle this transition, never mind I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her. MSN you are fools.
Its clear that Willard just wanted to buy his way to the whitehouse and once in would have just been the GOP puppet. President Obama is a well thought out responsible leader and we should all be grateful that the corporate puppet didnt manage to buy the election.
yes all those Goldman Sachs advisors and job outsourcers on his board show he is not a corporate puppet
He's done a great job of staffing up with tax cheats like Tim Geithner!
Team,
The man (Willo) lost; let's move on for a common cause which is the good of the country. No matter what happens, Obama won the elections and even if he fades away for one reason or another, the Democrats will lead the nation until 2016. It is a done deal, let's see how we can avoid this potential Financial DISASTER .
One Country.
USA-RETIRED.
cintra
/lesigh
Point taken Morlack however.... Are you sleeping thru the news? Companies laying off, lowering hours and/or simply closing shop because of Obamacare. Between now and the implementation of Obamacare the amount of people with no health insurance will be significantly higher than it is now. As will be the unemployment number.
Yes i have read that and after some research have realized that they are the billionaires (such as owner of papa johns) that wanted romney to win and give them bigger tax breaks. Now that romney lost and they might actually have to pay around a whole 4 more percentage points, these billionaires are now behaving like selfish two year old brats, and are hurting innocent people with their bs attitudes. So the fault lies with these billionaires not obama.
And in case you dont understand, business owners are NOT the job creators. Consumers are the job creators, so when obama fights to keep taxes low on everyone below 250k he is actually fighting for the job creators. After all no one builds a business in the absence of demand, and no business can survive or thrive without demand, no matter how much money investors invest into a company.
Business owners are not job creators??????? Who was first? The chicken or the egg???
This one is easy, demand comes first of course. Like i said no one builds a business in absence of demand, it is demand that influences people to build businesses.
So then your point Morlack. Those same business owners are consumers. The largest consumers in our economy. So you are going to attack the largest consumer base?
Attacked? What an idiot!
Cheer up TeaBaggers and Republicans.........look on the Brightside....at least you don't have YOUR HOPES up anymore.........You KNOW for SURE the Romney TRAIN is OVER!
NO more Screaming.......ignoring the TRUTH...and DISTORTING REALITY!
you can't distort this. 7.9% unemployment, over 16 trillion in debt, 1.5 GPA growth on average. 47 million people on food stamps need I go on
ask8360....Like Clinton said.............We Always Come back......just be PATIENT like you were so WILLING to be with GOOD Ole MITT
I got confidence in YOU ...I know you can do it...lol
Looks like they had the mice, but just didn't have the men.
One house Romney couldn't buy:
The White House.
Amen! to that Brother!
At least it was shared by the American's of this Country, now it is occupied by a cheat, liar, non-business, non-patriotic, not educated legally, non-american.
Thats sounds like Whining to me.........lol....Mitt was so American he skipped NAM to Parle in FRANCE....So educated that his DADDY bought him a degree....so Patriotic that he and neither of his 5 boys never ONCE dawned a Military Service Coat......so Business that China has stuff BAIN Capital on it.....He never TOLD a LIE in his life...just like cherry tree George Washinton...chop...chop....chop...or should that be for China?....He shares every thing with America........thats why Most of his Money is stuffed in a Sock over in the Caymans...the SWISS alps.........or when he does Donate he give to the ...MORMON CHURCH somewhere in the HILLS......that no NORMAL American will ever see or touch..........
But thats YOUR BOY..........I am so GLAD he ......LOST FAIR and SQUARE and I knew.......Conservative like YOU would never ACCEPT the FACT.........Obama did not have @!$%# on MITT's Dirt..........Conservatives were just WILLING to accept Mitt's and Spread as much Dirt on Obama as possible.........well it comes a time when you just have to ACCEPT IT and MOVE on..........Lets PUT AMERICA BACK together AGAIN!
This sounds exactly like what the American voter believed what Romney was about and what has led to his now becoming a mere footnote in America's history. His advocation of the complete dismantling of 80 years of social security and health care for ALL Americans and replacing it with the same kind of government that Republicans like Coolidge and Hoover were so obsessed with, the same kind of 1920's laissez faire policies that brought on the Great Depression.
Thank God Almighty for His looking down on this marvelous country and knowing Romney's heart for what it was, nothing more than the heart of a pompous elitist, one who believed in only the most mercenary of business cut throat practices, practices that if were brought into government would have been the coup d' gras for all Americans not at the top of the economic ladder.
Good Riddance!
Rich got richer under OBAMA, Poor got poorer and increased. Middle class decreased and not in an upward direction. Sounds like a good plan
Mitt would have SAVED us all from OBAMA...right........lol
Thank, God all treaties have to be ratified by the Senate. Unless of course Obama contiues to "go around Congress" (his words)
oh he is going to go around congress. You can count on that.
President Obama is going to do what he has to do....period.
Republicans help fix this economy or get out the way.
the more time you libs spend gloating, the less time you spend shoving socialism down our throats. gloat away.
AAAAHHHHHHHH! Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Democrats will be in office for at least the next two elections. It may take that long for the GOP to become centered. Also, the SCOTUS will have undergone a change. There is hope, finally.
That isnt hope...that is the death of America as we know it.
politicoguy..........trust me you will be alive and well should that happen as well.......ROFL
Get you some powerdered milk.....cheese and crackers and a bottle of Vodka.....you be OK...lol
"PARK AVENUE: Money, Power and the American Dream". Watch this and learn.