Perhaps my fellow Ventura County political blogger Greg Cole was onto something back in May when he speculated that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney might have political plans in mind when he purchased a beachfront home in La Jolla.

Although a Romney spokesman said at the time the purchase was based mainly on the family's desire to spend more time closer to their horses that are boarded in Ventura County, Cole speculated that the former governor of Massachusetts might be thinking of becoming the future governor of California.

The speculation is becoming more intense. Over the last week I've heard it raised in Sacramento and from someone in Ventura County. The latter source claims to trace the rumor to eavesdropping by someone who works for the Romney family in a nonpolitical capacity.