Mitt Romney 2016

Let's say that Mitt Romney rules out a 2008 presidential campaign because of his bad legacy leaving office as Governor of Massachusetts. McCain cruises to the Republican Party presidential nomination in 2008 but loses the General Election as OTL. Romney campaigns for president for the first time in 2012 but loses to some other establishment (possibly Newt Gingrich or Jon Huntsman) or radical candidate (possibly Rick Perry or Rick Santorum). Romney then returns in 2016, can he win the nomination?

Another way I think this could be plausible is if, according to my previous threads, McCain wins the nomination in 2000, McCain's VP (other than George W. Bush) wins the nomination in 2008, and George W. Bush wins the nomination in 2012. Romney and Mike Huckabee sit out 2008, knowing McCain's VP will instantly be front-runner but campaign for the first time in 2012. In my most recent previous thread, I had Ann Richards beat Bush in 1994 but had him return in 1998 causing him to rule out a presidential campaign in 2000.

The only reason why I post these threads about McCain winning in 2000 is because I like the idea of Bush Vs. McCain's VP in 2008 and Bush Vs. Romney Vs. Huckabee in 2012. My personal favorite Vice Presidential candidates for McCain in 2000 are weak candidates in OTL 2008 such as Fred Thompson (who was actually high position on McCain's OTL 2000 shortlist), Rudy Giuliani, or Sam Brownback.
 
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If POD is on 2008 McCain still loses elections. And politics of USA probably is pretty similar as in OTL. And '16 not be year of moderate Republicans so Romney hasn't any changes on '16 electons.

In scenario where McCain wins presidency USA is probably on bit better shape as in OTL but probably Democrat (not necessarility Obama) presidency. But then Romney might has better changes on '12 and '16 elections.
 
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