Trump Urges Mitt Romney Be A 'team Player' After Critical Article

NEW YORK, Jan 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jan, 2019 ) :US President Donald Trump Wednesday responded to a harsh article in a leading American newspaper by Mitt Romney, a former Republican presidential candidate, suggesting the incoming senator should be more supportive of his policies.

In a tweet, the president called on senator-elect Romney to "focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful," while questioning whether he will be "a Flake," referencing Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a frequent Trump critic who did not run for reelection last year.

"Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not," Trump wrote Wednesday.

"Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" he added.

The president's tweet came hours after Romney targeted him directly in a Washington Post op-ed, accusing him of a glaring "shortfall" in terms of character and leadership abilities.

"With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring," Romney wrote Tuesday.

"I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions," he continued.

Elected in November to succeed the retiring Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, Romney is due to be sworn in as Utah's senator on Thursday.

Despite being a frequent critic of Trump's during the 2016 election, Romney thanked Trump for his support during his 2018 Senate run. He was briefly considered to be in the running to serve as Trump's secretary of State in 2017.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, lost the 2012 presidential election to Barack Obama, who received 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206. Obama also won the popular vote, 51.1 percent to 47.2 percent. In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College 304 to 227 to win the presidency, but Clinton won the popular vote 48.2 percent to Trump's 46.1 percent.

Still, Romney is thought to be among a handful of Republicans who could challenge Trump for the 2020 Republican nomination. Others include Flake and Ohio Governor John Kasich.