… Mr. Romney’s indication in New York last week that he may run in 2016 has set off excitement among his loyalists in the Republican donor class and assurances from his consultants that he can bring a different dimension to the campaign this time. But interviews with more than two dozen Republican activists, elected officials and contributors around the country reveal little appetite for another Romney candidacy. …
Mr. Romney’s advisers dismiss the idea that his time has passed, bringing up an example sure to be repeated often if he does run. “If that’s the case, then Ronald Reagan never would have become president,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, Mr. Romney’s longtime spokesman. …
Many early polls, which lean heavily on name recognition, show Mr. Romney leading the field when his name is included, a trend, one adviser said, that contributes to Mr. Romney’s temptation. Part of that strength stems from his having led the ticket in 2012. But Mr. Fehrnstrom, in a barely veiled reference to former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, noted, “You’ve got two candidates with very high name identification.” CONT.
Jonathan Martin, New York Times
Recent polls: GOP presidential preference