A young candidate could beat Hillary Clinton, says Mitt Romney

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Tuesday he believes a younger, more inexperienced presidential candidate could beat likely Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton in 2016.

{mosads}Quelling continuing rumors of a third presidential run himself, Romney told conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt that “someone new that is not defined yet, someone who perhaps is from the next generation, will be able to catch fire, potentially, build a movement and be able to beat Hillary Clinton.”

He later repeated the call for a “new and not defined” candidate, adding that there are a “number of very good people looking at this race.”

Clinton is 66 years old; Romney is 67.

The 2012 GOP nominee has discussed his support in the past for a 2016 bid by his former running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) — something Ryan has not yet ruled out.

In the pair’s first joint interview since their failed White House bid, Romney said last week on Fox News that it was time for Ryan to run for president.

“He’s very generous. But I had my turn. It’s his turn now,” Romney said.

On Tuesday, Romney went further.

“I think Paul has the kinds of qualities you’d like to see either in a president or in the highest levels of leadership in other parts of Washington, namely the House,” Romney said.

Romney also ruled out accepting an offer to run as a vice presidential candidate.

“That’s not a job I would seek,” he said. “I was seeking the presidency, not the vice presidency.”