(Newser)
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When the going gets tough some of the tough apparently quadruple the size of their mansions. That's what Mitt Romney is doing with his $12 million palatial California beachfront pad. He plans to bulldoze the 3,000-square-foot mansion and replace it with an 11,000-square-foot home. The Romneys want to “enlarge their two-bedroom home because with five married sons and 16 grandchildren it is inadequate for their needs," said a spokesman, who emphasized that construction won't begin until the permits have been obtained and the campaign is finished.
That timing might be wise: John McCain ran into campaign trouble last time around when he said he couldn't remember how many homes he owned (eight). The Romneys were up to five places, but have recently unloaded their 6,500-square-foot $3.5 million Massachusetts home, and a 9,500-square-foot $5.25 million Utah ski getaway, reports the Washington Post. That leaves them only a New Hampshire vacation home, their primary residence outside Boston, and the La Jolla beachfront home. The chairman of the local Democratic Party said he at least hopes Romney will hire a contractor who pays union wages for the beach job, notes the San Diego Union Tribune.
