New York Times: Bush, Romney to Meet in Utah This Week

Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney will meet privately this week in Utah, raising the possibility that the two former governors will find a way to avoid competing presidential campaigns that would split the Republican establishment next year, two prominent party members said Wednesday night.

The New York Times reported that the meeting was planned before Romney’s surprise announcement two weeks ago to donors in New York that he was considering a third run for the White House.

Bush initiated the meeting, according to one of the party members familiar with the planning.

The original idea was for Bush — who announced his presidential ambitions in December — to show his respect for the GOP‘s 2012 nominee. The meeting remained on both men’s calendars even as Romney took steps to test the presidential waters, moves that could make the meeting awkward, according to the Times.

Aides to both men did not reply to requests for comment.

They have been making numerous phone calls to party donors and officials to sound them out and gather commitments before what could be a bruising primary race.

Both are calling the same people hours apart in some instances.