Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who ran for U.S. president on behalf for the Republican Party in 2008 and 2012, has furthered rumors about a third run for the White House. Meanwhile, his 2012 vice presidential running mate ruled himself out of the equation.

Romney "almost certainly will" launch a third bid for the presidency, according to a senior Republican via The Washington Post. Romney is reportedly assembling a campaign team and calling former aides, donors and supporters. Romney's latest move comes after his initial declaration to a group of 30 donors in New York last Friday.

According to a report, Romney phoned his 2012 Republican vice president running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, about plans for a third run. Meanwhile, Ryan has confirmed he will not seek a presidential run during an interview with NBC News.

"I have decided that I am not going to run for president in 2016," Ryan said, noting he is "at peace" with his decision, which was made "weeks ago."

"After giving it a lot of thought, I've decided not to run for president. Our work at the House Ways and Means Committee over the next few years will be crucial to moving America forward, and my job as chairman deserves undivided attention," Ryan said to RealClearPolitics.

"It is amazing the amount of encouragement I have gotten from people - from friends and supporters - but I feel like I am in a position to make a big difference where I am and I want to do that," Ryan added, to NBC News.

In regards to Romney's presidential aspirations, Ryan said he has "always thought Mitt would make a great president."

"As for his plans for 2016, I don't know what he is ultimately going to do and the last thing I want to do is get ahead of his own decision making process," Ryan said.

Based on a CNN and ORC International survey in early December, Romney remained a popular choice among potential presidential candidates from the Republican Party. The poll showed Romney as the preferred Republican presidential candidate with 20 percent, ahead of Dr. Ben Carson, who has no political office experience, who received 10 percent. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was the third-most popular nominee with 9 percent, narrowly ahead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's 8 percent.

Despite placing third, Bush's odds to win the Republican presidential nomination increased if Romney was out of the race. With Romney excluded, the former Florida governor was the top GOP choice with 14 percent. Carson maintained his second-place position with 11 percent, while former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee rounded up the top three with 10 percent.

Bush has confirmed his intention to run for president. As Latin Post reported, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also confirmed his interest for the White House but hasn't made an official and definitive announcement and recognized Bush's potential to derail his plans.

"As I've said, if Jeb Bush runs for president, he's going to be a very formidable candidate for multiple reasons -- including the ability to raise money," Rubio said, via the National Journal. "But I'm confident that if I make the decision that the best place for me to serve our country and achieve the agenda of restoring the America Dream is to be president, I'm confident that I can raise enough money and put together an organization that will give me a chance to win."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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