Politics is a strange business. While professional politicians are often faulted for failing to stand by their convictions, we also pay lip service to the idea of letting bygones be bygones — and the ability to compromise and move past conflict. The Mitt Romney-Donald Trump meeting scheduled this weekend will offer a smorgasbord of compromise and reconciliation.
During his campaign, Trump had no more energetic foe than Romney among establishment Republicans. Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, repeatedly ripped Trump during the campaign, calling his refusal to reveal his tax returns a “bombshell” and labeling Trump a “con man” and a “fraud.” Now the two will meet — reportedly to explore a position for Romney in Trump’s cabinet. In a political world turned upside down, even liberals are rooting for Romney-types in Trump’s inner circle, career politicians with public records. At least Romney doesn’t inhabit the fringe like top Trump adviser Steve Bannon. Of course long before Romney ridiculed Trump he praised him. When he wanted Trump’s endorsement in 2012 Romney said: “Donald Trump has shown an extraordinary ability to understand how our economy works, to create jobs for the American people.”
