Mitt Romney said Saturday that Donald Trump's consideration of him for secretary of state proved that the president-elect "will be open to alternative views and even to critics."
In a brief op-ed in The Salt Lake Tribune, Romney said that he was offering a "personal perspective" on Trump.
"I was indeed very critical of Donald Trump during his campaign," the former 2012 Republican presidential candidate said. "But now, he has been elected president and accordingly, if I could have helped shape foreign policy to protect the country I love, I would have been more than willing to do so."
Romney repeatedly slammed Trump during the campaign, calling him a "con man" and a fraud who was playing Americans for suckers.
Trump retorted that Romney was "a stiff" and "a disaster" who failed to inspire voters in 2012.
The former Massachusetts governor met with Trump several times privately to discuss serving as the nation's top diplomat before the president-elect said this week that he would nominate Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to the post after his inauguration next month.
"I was more than a little surprised that the president-elect reached out to me to potentially serve as secretary of state of the United States," Romney said. "I see it as a welcome sign that he will be open to alternative views and even to critics.
"As the country's next president, I earnestly hope that he will be successful in fostering greater prosperity and peace," he added. "I believe all Americans can join in that wish."
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