As a result of our [my campaign's] discussions and other interactions with gay and lesbian voters across the state, I am more convinced than ever that as we seek to establish full equality for America's gay and lesbian citizens, I will provide more effective leadership than my opponent [Ted Kennedy].

Mitt Romney

I have never once regretted missing a business opportunity so that I could be with my children and grandchildren.

Mitt Romney

missing opportunity children

I understand how difficult it can be for an African-American in today’s society. In fact, I can relate to black people very well indeed. My ancestors once owned slaves, and it is in my lineage to work closely with the black community. However, just because they were freed over a century ago doesn’t mean they can now be freeloaders. They need to be told to work hard, and the incentives just aren’t there for them anymore. When I’m president I plan to work closely with the black community to bring a sense of pride and work ethic back into view for them.

Mitt Romney

hard-work pride mean

Internationally, President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy. He believes America's role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe a strong America must - and will - lead the future.

Mitt Romney

strong believe past

If Israel is attacked, America has their back, not just diplomatically, not just culturally, but militarily.

Mitt Romney

israel ifs america

I'm not familiar precisely with what I said, but I'll stand by what I said, whatever it was.

Mitt Romney

stupid-people election said

I know what it takes to balance budgets. I have done it my entire life.

Mitt Romney

balance done knows

Donald Trump creates scapegoats in Muslims and Mexican immigrants. He calls for the use of torture. He calls for killing the innocent children and family members of terrorists. He cheers assaults on protesters. He applauds the prospect of twisting the Constitution to limit First Amendment freedom of the press. This is the very brand of anger that has led other nations into the abyss.

Mitt Romney

mexican cheer children

Iran's nuclearization is the greatest single national security threat America faces.

Mitt Romney

iran faces america

The teachers unions are the clearest example of a group that has lost its way. Whenever anyone dares to offer a new idea, the unions protest the loudest. Their attitude was memorably expressed by a longtime president of the American Federation of Teachers: He said, quote, 'When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of children.'

Mitt Romney

attitude teacher children

If anyone accuses me of lying, I'll simply say I'm not lying, which is just an extension of the overall lying strategy.

Mitt Romney

strategy extensions lying

The principles that made this nation a great and powerful leader of the world, have not lost their meaning. They never will. We know we can bring this country back. I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America. And I'm running for president of the United States.

Mitt Romney

powerful running country

A nuclear Iran is a - a dramatic and - and devastating potential threat to the world and to America. And - and all our efforts should be focused on making that our first priority or keeping them from having that nuclear capacity our first priority.

Mitt Romney

nuclear-iran priorities america

In the richest country in the history of the world, this Obama economy has crushed the middle class. Family income has fallen by $4,000, but health insurance premiums are higher, food prices are higher, utility bills are higher, and gasoline prices have doubled. Today more Americans wake up in poverty than ever before.

Mitt Romney

gasoline-prices class country

There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you name it.

Mitt Romney

government responsibility believe

Conservatives believe in providing Constitutional rights to our citizens, not to enemy combatants like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Mitt Romney

rights believe enemy

I'd like to be the next president of the United States to support and help this great nation and to make sure that we all together remain America as the hope of the earth.

Mitt Romney

support president america

I didn't talk to anybody and say, "I'm going to do a speech, do you go some ideas?" This is something I did on my own because I care very deeply about the country.

Mitt Romney

care country ideas

I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed.

Mitt Romney

president wish america

Our plans protect freedom and opportunity, and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

Mitt Romney

constitution united-states opportunity

Let's take energy, for instance. I understand that in some industries, the input cost of energy is a major factor in whether an industry is going to locate in the United States or go elsewhere. So, when, at Bain Capital, we started a new steel company called Steel Dynamics in Indiana, the cost of energy was a very important factor to the success of that enterprise.

Mitt Romney

united-states important energy