History shows it does not happen often for a candidate to run again for President after they lost the nomination the first time. In the last 100 years it only happened twice. Dewey ran in 1940 and lost the Republican nomination. He ran in 1944 won the Republican nomination but lost to Roosevelt in the general election. Dewey ran again in 1948, won the Republican nomination but lost the Presidency to Harry Truman. Richard Nixon ran for President in 1960, won the Republican nomination but lost the Presidency to John F. Kennedy. Nixon ran again in 1968, won the Republican nomination and the Presidency. He also ran for reelection in 1972 and won.
Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has sworn off running again for elected office, but Americans have certainly heard that one before.
Speculation that Romney might run again has largely been stoked by the reunion he planned to host last month in Park City, Utah, for members of his 2012 campaign and debate team and a string of recent public appearances.
He has appeared on TV news shows 12 times in the past six months. That’s essentially on pace with Michigan GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, who led all national politicians last year with 26 appearances over 12 months.