Sorry Utah and your pathetic five electoral votes. In his quest for the presidency, Mitt Romney appears to be exploring the option going via California elected office. He has plunked down (slammed down, might be a better phrase) $12 million for a La Jolla three-bedroom, five-bathroom spa-equipped dream house.

He wouldn't be the first monomaniacal politician to use a California residency as a spring board to the White House — it got Reagan and (shudder) Nixon elected.

It's on Dunemere Drive, feel free to drop by for Family Home Evening or to swim a few laps in the pool.

Here's the Realtor description:

Rare BEACHFRONT residence featuring direct access to sandy beach, a quiet cul-de-sac location, spacious oceanfront deck, numerous patio areas with manicured lawns and mature landscaping, lap pool and spa.

For lots more photos of Casa Mittens, courtesy of Politico, go here. The Governor's Mansion will be such a come-down.