(Assuming Trump is still in the White House)
...would Romney clear the field as the only candidate against Trump?
If Romney doesn't run, I think all of these people would run against Trump:
1.Marco Rubio
2.Rand Paul
3.Ben Sasse
4.John Katich
5.Ted Cruz
6.Mark Cuban
If Kasich doesn't run, there are a half a dozen or other moderate or so-called moderate Republicans who could run in his place.
I think Corker and Flake will end up endorsing either Rubio or Kasich (or whichever moderate Republican runs.)
A one on one race between Romney and Trump would require a lot of popcorn.
I agree with Mr. Morden that Cruz and Rubio won't challenge Trump. Sasse might, and Kasich probably would. I think if Romney did run it could discourage Kasich from running as well but I don't know if he'd back down. All this said, Kasich is probably the most likely to run followed by Sasse and then Romney. Paul and Cuban have outside chances.
Sasse’s Senate seat is up in 2020. He will wait till 2024 to clean up any mess left by Trump.
Rubio’s seat is up in 22. I think he promised not to run this term so he is out till 24.
Cruz has to do well this year. I think he has burned too many bridges to run again.
Cuban does not have a base in the party. I do not believe he has any presence in the south or Midwest.
Romney backed down in 2016. He would back down if Kaisch ran. Both Kaisch and Romney burned their bridges in 2016. Kaisch is on a mission and will run. Trump would crush either of them.
The above assumes the economy is still doing well. Since Trump is still present, it also assumes he has not blown up the world.
This conversation is very premature.
Agree with all of this, especially the last three sentences.
Oh, I will nitpick that Rubio promising he would serve his term would be easily danced around is being called by his Nation blah blah blah. That's said I don't think he'll run oh, and would get squashed by Trump if he did.
Plus I have irrational and undeserved optimism for Kasich.
