Romney is having lunch today in the White House, as an invited guest instead of as a host.
President Barack Obama will host Mitt Romney for lunch on Thursday, the White House has announced, making good on his election-night promise to meet with his defeated rival and discuss ways "to move this country forward".
This move could be interpreted as typical classy Obama, of trying to heal the nation. However, given how many Republicans have repudiated Romney since he lost, it's hard to see what influence Romney could have on healing his party.
The White House didn't say when the invitation was issued or how readily it was accepted. The president has not indicated what shape he imagines a co-operation with Romney might take, and the former governor has not expressed an intention to stay in public life.
Why else might Obama want to meet with Romney? The linked article suggests politeness, perhaps a Cabinet position, advice about business (he has many other business advisers) - but dismisses them all.
I know that there are things I would love to take place in that meeting - like Obama threatening Romney about the tax returns - but Obama has much more class than I. On the other hand, I also have a hard time imagining that Obama could value Romney's advice in almost anything. One article admired Romney's running of the Olympics, but given how much more efficient and effective the Obama campaign was, that seems absurd. I also saw on the Cycle the suggestion that Obama would use Romney to help implement Obamacare.
What do you think will be discussed?
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Tired of politics? Need to escape? Try my Greek mythology based novels, either the story of Oedipus from the point of view of Jocasta, or a trilogy about Niobe, whose children were murdered by the gods - or were they?