Romney’s ‘next generation’

Ummm. Mitt Romney’s statement — pulling out of the 2016 presidential race he had audaciously inserted himself into just weeks before — sums up pretty directly how he feels about the rest of the Republicans running. And if you are presumed establishment frontrunner Jeb Bush? Ouch.

{mosads}”I believe that one of our next generation of Republican leaders, one who may not be as well known as I am today, one who has not yet taken their message across the country, one who is just getting started, may well emerge as being better able to defeat the Democrat nominee,” Romney said. “In fact, I expect and hope that to be the case.”

Just who is this mystery youngster? Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.) is young but already ran on Romney’s last ticket. Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) is young but has been a potential presidential candidate for years and made it to the list of possible VPs last time. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is only 43 years old, but I am going to go out on a limb and say I don’t think that’s who Romney is talking about. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is 47 years old; maybe he’s Romney’s favorite.

Who do you think it is?

NOW THAT HE HAS DUMPED ON BUSH, WHAT ROLE WILL ROMNEY HAVE IN 2016? AskAB returns Tuesday, Feb. 3. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-release.thehill.com. Thank you.