Mitt Romney, the CEO of Bain Capital and Republican nominee for the United States Senate in 1994, announced today that he will once again seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 2000. Romney enters the race confident, saying that both of the state’s senators, John Kerry and Ted Kennedy have moved beyond Massachusetts, and that the people of the state “deserve a representative in the Senate that is focused on serving his constituents instead of his own political interests.” Mr. Romney appears to be intent on a rematch between him and Senator Ted Kennedy, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States while concurrently running a campaign for another term in the Senate. Romney, when asked why he wanted a rematch so badly, said, “I took a lot away from the last election, and it was a strong learning experience for me. Making money in the private sector just isn’t appealing to me anymore, and I wanted a way to give back to the country that I love so much. I think running for a seat in the Senate is just the place where I can do the most good for this nation, and for the state of Massachusetts. Look, you’ve got both senators in this state, our ‘so-called’ representatives, prancing about the rest of the country in a time of crisis and gloating about their records when they should be in Washington, helping President Gingrich lead this nation. This is a time of crisis, and this could very well be America’s darkest hour. This is a time where we need to put politics aside and come together to lead. Ted Kennedy doesn’t seem to get that message, and I think the people of the great state of Massachusetts need someone that does.” Mr. Romney faces minimal opposition in the Republican primary, and is expected to win the nomination for a second time.
-Associated Press, February 20th, 1999, 1:45 p.m. EST
Peter Burleigh was confirmed by Congress to the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
-Associated Press, February 20th, 1999, 1:46 p.m. EST
Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy has taken first place in New Hampshire, dethroning the former frontrunner for the nomination, Senator Bob Kerrey. In Iowa, Former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley has seen his lead in the state narrowed significantly by the entrance of Ted Kennedy, who is picking up momentum in the state, replacing Senator Paul Wellstone in second place in the state.
-C-Span, February 20th, 1999, 2:30 p.m. EST