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Romney tries to re-emerge as force in GOP politics

By WTOP Staff

STEVE PEOPLES
Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Once fearing he would be viewed as “a loser for life” if he failed to win the presidency, Mitt Romney is trying to re-emerge as a force in Republican politics.

Romney has quietly sought kingmaker status in the GOP’s fight for the Senate majority this fall and its quest to retake the White House in 2016. The effort at revival is fueling whispers about a third presidential run. But those closest to Romney suggest he’s more interested in shaping party politics by lending his name and record-breaking fundraising machine to what he considers the next generation of electable conservatives.

“I don’t think he’s ever been more popular than he is today,” said Spencer Zwick, who led a Romney campaign fundraising machine that raised more money than any Republican campaign in history.

Allies say Romney’s political brand has benefited from an ongoing leadership void in the Republican Party, “buyer’s remorse” from an electorate disappointed with President Barack Obama’s second term, and a positive response to a recent documentary film, “Mitt,” that shows his personal side. But the resurgence comes in stark contrast to Romney’s own prediction leading up to his loss to Obama just a year and a half ago.

“I have looked, by the way, at what happens to anybody in this country who loses as the nominee of their party,” Romney says in “Mitt” during a candid moment. “They become a loser for life, all right? That’s it. It’s over.”

The former Massachusetts governor is fighting that perception in this midterm election year. His political stock will be on display this week as he hosts his annual “ideas summit” in Park City, Utah, a private event that features a handful of potential presidential contenders, key members of Romney’s inner circle and major political donors. The $5,000-a-head gathering, which begins Thursday, is expected to bring 250 to 300 people to a luxury resort in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

This year’s theme is “American Leadership at Home and Abroad,” according to organizers who describe the informal conference as a nonpartisan exchange of ideas. But it’s not all panel discussions and speeches.

Zwick says the highlights will include a shotgun outing with Romney’s 2012 vice presidential pick, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, mountain biking with Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, and golfing with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Other potential presidential candidates set to appear include New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Democrat Brian Schweitzer, a former Montana governor. The business community will be represented by former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who will lead a hiking trip; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban; former Walmart CEO Lee Scott; DirecTV CEO Michael White; and Univision CEO Randy Falco, among others.

The three-day conference helps connect those weighing presidential runs with a coalition of business leaders and individuals with whom Romney has worked hard to build relationships, Zwick said.

“We spent years traveling the country, trying to meet these folks,” he said. “I wish someone had done this for us.”

The Utah gathering represents only a part of Romney’s impact on today’s political world. He has intensified efforts in recent weeks to influence the GOP’s midterm election strategy. And Republican candidates from Idaho to Florida are fighting for his endorsement.

Romney so far this year has endorsed 29 candidates running for statewide office or Congress across 23 states, according to his office. Of the 12 Republican who have had primary elections already, all have won their party’s nomination to run in the general election.

“Our party in recent years unfortunately has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by nominating poor candidates,” said former Romney aide Ryan Williams. “Gov. Romney has stepped up and helped good, electable conservatives win.”

Romney has participated in 17 campaign events this year — all but two were private fundraisers, including one in New York this week to benefit the Senate Republicans running for re-election.

He campaigned late last month alongside Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst, who won last week’s crowded GOP primary election in Iowa. The real value of the endorsement is likely to take effect in the months leading up to the general election. Romney’s endorsement is a signal to his national network of donors that Ernst is a viable national candidate, he said in an interview with The Associated Press after addressing Ernst supporters in Cedar Rapids.

“By indicating my support for Joni, as well as some other candidates from around the country, we’re encouraging donors to help these candidates,” Romney said. “Not everybody in the country knows what’s going on in Iowa, or the other states.”

The 67-year-old grandfather of 22 is relying upon the same small brain trust of longtime advisers that guided his presidential campaign as he weighs the midterm races.

“He’s surprised obviously in a pleasant way by the outpouring of affection from a lot of folks and the demand for his help and advice,” said longtime adviser Ron Kaufman. “He could fill his schedule five times over.”

Kaufman continued: “He’ll do whatever it takes to help us control the Senate and get the White House back — not for Mitt Romney, but for his 22 grandkids.”

___

Associated Press writer Thomas Beaumont in Iowa contributed to this report.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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