Known for his successful business career and his numerous, but fruitless, runs for the presidency, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is representative of the moderate, business wing of the Republican Party. Despite periodic pandering to the extremists on the Right, he is not well liked on the fringe due to his Mormon religion and more moderate perspective. Nonetheless, as 2012 begins to cast its shadow in the waning days of 2009, early polling suggests Romney as a potential choice to run against Obama in the next election. Certainly, if the economy continues its anemic performance and unemployment remains a festering issue, then a pragmatic, business-minded Republican might be a wise choice for the beleaguered GOP.
Astrology suggests that Romney (3/12/47, 9:50 AM, Detroit) could indeed run again, possibly attaining either the first or, more likely, the second slot on the ticket. With converse progressed Venus opposing his Ascendant (00Gemini42) through March 2012, he will be a more attractive candidate for the first three months of the year than in previous elections. With transiting Neptune square the Ascendant from late January through February 23 activating this progression, his exalted hopes will be quite strong during the same period. But this progression passes in March just as Saturn moves to oppose the other important progression of the year: progressed Venus conjunct progressed Mars (27 Aries). Thus, late March and April 2012 will be problematic for Romney, greatly diminishing his appeal and likely pushing him out of the race.
Nonetheless, the progressed Venus/progressed Mars aspect which runs from December 2011 through December 2013 is quite significant since it is quincunx Romney’s natal Moon/Jupiter conjunction at 27Scorpio33/36. This suggests a certain level of personal charisma that we have not seen in Romney in recent years, making him a more compelling candidate. In addition, transiting Neptune moves back into a one-degree orb of square to Romney’s Ascendant in late August 2012 for a long station through mid-December 2012, suggesting high hopes and expectations are once again strong at the end of the year during the height of election season. The timing of these aspects points to the possibility that Romney will be somewhere on the GOP ticket.
Despite a more compelling personal presence that will aid Romney during an election, there are several aspects that suggest the likelihood of a loss come November should he run. Somewhat counteracting the increased attractiveness of the progressed Venus/progressed mars quincunx to natal Moon/Jupiter is the solar arc progressed Moon/Jupiter opposite natal Saturn, from April 2012 through April 2013. This heightens the more serious, emotionally flat quality that is always problematic in a candidate. Moreover, and most problematic, is the series of Saturn transits that run from mid-October 2012 through April 2013 that suggest a time of disillusionment, sorrow, loss, and withdrawal, exactly what you would not find in the chart of a first-term presidential winner. Saturn during this time will square Romney’s natal Saturn (10/18 -10/25), activating the opposition from solar arc Moon/Jupiter, quincunx natal Node (11/12 – 11/20), square natal MC (11/20 – 11/30), sesquiquadrate the Sun (11/19- 11/27), square natal Venus (12/10 to 12/20 and 2/18 to 4/2013), and station square natal Pluto (1/13 – 3/4/13). One can always rationalize that the mantle of the presidency brings with it a huge weight of responsibility, and, hence, Saturn will be strong. But these transits, especially Saturn square natal Venus, activating the natal opposition, suggest a rapid decrease in public support and popularity just when these would normally be peaking for a new president.
