Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney became the latest candidate to say he would not be attending Donald Trump’s Republican debate, citing scheduling conflicts. Romney is the third candidate to decline the invitation, following Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Huntsman and Paul said they would not attend, arguing that Trump’s resume as a reality TV show host would delegitimize the presidential process. Trump blasted back at both men, saying, “I’m not saying I’ll be better, I’m saying I’ll be different.”
Romney spoke with Trump to submit his regrets. “We’ve already set our calendar in December and I communicated to Mr. Trump that that schedule is completed,” Romney said. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has committed to attending, along with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachman has not said whether she will participate.
