May 9 (Bloomberg) — Mitt Romney made it clear today: "I'm not running for president in 2016." He also came out in favor of raising the minimum wage.    In his most definitive declaration about his status to date, Romney's interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program tamped down speculation the two-time Republican candidate for president and 2012 party nominee might make another run.

The head of the Utah Republican Party has talked about a "draft Mitt" movement as recently as this week, and there have been reports that if former Florida Governor Jeb Bush didn't run, former Massachusetts Governor Romney would.

Romney said he has other plans. "I'm going to be supporting someone who represents the practical conservatives that I think we need," he said today.

Some of his favorite potential candidates, he said, are U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, his vice presidential running mate in 2012; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; Bush; U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio; and Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin.

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