The conservatives trying to recruit someone to run third party against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are now openly pushing Mitt Romney to enter the race — even though they previously opposed the 2012 Republican nominee.
On his Resurgent website, conservative commentator Erick Erickson — a past Romney critic — wrote a post on Friday titled: “Mitt Romney Should Reconsider a Third Party Bid.”
“I can’t believe I’m even writing this,” Erickson acknowledged. “But seriously, Mitt Romney should run for president again and transcend party for the good of the country.”
Erickson is part of the “Conservatives Against Trump” that has been actively trying to woo into the race a credible candidate, including Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse and former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn.
Despite the pressure from these activists, both Sasse and Coburn have declined to run.
Romney has not expressed interest in running either.
In his post, Erickson said: “Mitt Romney has given up on trying to recruit someone for a third party effort against Clinton and Trump. I opposed Romney in 2008 and 2012, but I think the time has come for Mitt Romney. I’d gladly work for a Romney Presidency given the choices between Clinton and Trump.”
“There is more and more data out there that the time is right for a third party bid,” Erickson added. “More and more Americans are horrified and disgusted at the thought of voting for either Trump or Clinton.”