romneyWASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans who would have been his potential rivals if he had sought the presidential nomination next year are praising Mitt Romney, after his announcement today that he won’t be running.
 
     Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says he respects Romney’s decision to “give the next generation a chance to lead.” And former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush calls Romney a “patriot” — and says he hopes that Romney’s “days of serving our nation and our party are not over.”
 
     There’s even praise from the White House, where a spokesman cheered Romney’s recent comments on policies that could benefit the middle class and reduce poverty. Josh Earnest said, “That is something that is worthy of our respect.”
 
     Romney is supposed to have dinner tonight with another of the Republicans he might have had to defeat for the nomination — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. That’s according to someone familiar with what’s described as a long-planned meeting.