WASHINGTON, D.C.- Mitt Romney is telling Republican voters that Donald Trump is a "phony" who must be defeated to avoid profoundly negative consequences for the party and the country.
    
Romney, the party's presidential nominee four years ago, is charging into the 2016 political theatrics Thursday with a morning speech set to be delivered at the University of Utah. The Associated Press obtained excerpts of the speech.
    
In his prepared remarks, the former Massachusetts governor argues that Trump's campaign promises "are as worthless as a degree from Trump University." He also asserts that the billionaire real estate mogul "has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president."
    
Romney's broadside comes amid increasing restiveness within the GOP establishment over the increasing likelihood that he could soon garner sufficient delegates to clinch the party's presidential nomination.