I believe that Mitt Romney will not be appointed as secretary of state but will be appointed to clean up and straighten up the Veterans Administration.

Romney is smart, with experience as an expert with distressed companies and startup companies.  He did a good job with the Olympics.  The VA is similar to a poorly run company that does not deliver its services in an efficient and productive manner and does not properly serve its customers.  Romney can apply his business expertise to review the operations, fire the incompetent managers, and implement procedures to take care of providing proper health care for veterans, improving the claims procedures for veterans to obtain benefits.

Since Trump has met with Romney several times, including the dinner with Reince Priebus on November 27, it seems that Trump wants to appoint Romney to a position in his administration.  The question is what position is acceptable to both Trump and Romney.  If Trump had offered the secretary of state position, it seems logical that it would have been announced after the dinner.  Judging from Romney’s remarks following the dinner, it appears he was not offered secretary of state, but was offered something he has to think about.

Serving to clean up the VA is a win for Trump and Romney.  The VA needs to be cleaned up.  Romney has the skills to do it.  Romney will get the credit for cleaning up the VA, which will help redeem his reputation after losing the 2012 election and making unwarranted attacks on Trump.  Trump will get credit for putting aside the attacks by Romney to do what is best for our country by appointing Romney to an important position to help our military veterans.  The country, specifically our veterans, will benefit by having a VA responsive to its needs.

While the secretary of state positions sounds prestigious and powerful, the foreign policy will be formulated and directed by Trump, with the secretary of state, among others, advising and carrying out the Trump policies.  But Romney would control and direct the turnaround of the VA.  He would be in charge.

Trump said in his speech in Cincinnati on December 1 that he is working on appointing a "fine person" to run the VA.  I believe that it is up to Romney to accept the offer.  In the long run, Romney will be more remembered and admired if he does straighten out he VA instead of serving as secretary of state.  Romney will leave a better and more important legacy by fixing the VA.