SALT LAKE CITY -- It was on NBC that 2012 Republican nominee for President Mitt Romney talked about Paris and President Barack Obama's actions towards ISIS.
"When you run for president as I have and you lose, it doesn't mean you stop caring, and I'm concerned that what the president is doing is not conducive to America remaining safe," Romney said.
It's the answer of a man engaged in current events in a way that challenges his former rival. Romney's lack of demurring gives Romney-ites hope their man might take one more shot.
And the appearance on national TV comes three days after a Washington Post article talking about a possible run, quoting former Romney Campaign advisor Eric Fehrnstrom.
Another sign of hope: his use of the present tense. He says, "I'm not running," rather than, "I will not run."
Romney continues to capture the imagination of at least a portion of the Republican electorate as the 2016 Presidential primaries and caucuses approach.
It's the increasingly marginalized group who's typical moniker becomes more ironic by the day: the "establishment."
The establishment has become a catch-all term for Republicans who cringe when they hear from the new breed of tea party or anti-politician who are leading primary polls.
Exhibit A: Donald Trump, who makes no bones about his opinion of Mitt Romney.
"Mitt Romney let us down," he tells one reporter.
"Honestly, honestly? I think he choked, OK?" he tells the next.
Card carrying "establishment" Republican John Sununu calls Trump the "Big mouth," and says he has no idea if Romney will run, but it could happen.
"Look it's a crazy season. Anything's possible," Sununu said in a live interview on CNN.
Former Utah state GOP chair and current Republican National Committeeman Bruce Hough invokes a classic moment in American culture: Jim Carrey playing Lloyd Christmas, who responds to his dream girl saying his chances with her are "one in a million."
"So you're saying there's a chance! Yeah!" said Hough, imitating Carrey.
Hough says Romney entering the race is probably one in a million, but if he does, Hough is in.
