Wolf Blitzer

• BLITZER: All right.

• ROMNEY:Well, I'm not going to say that at this point. I think anybody, however, looking at that opportunity, would consider it an enormous honor.

This is the hope of the world, this nation is. But anyone looking at that race should certainly not look at it for personal ego gratification, but, rather, out of a sense of duty and obligation.

• BLITZER: So, you have no...

• ROMNEY:And I hope...

• BLITZER: ... intention right now to do what Mark Warner, the former governor of Virginia...

• BLITZER: ... did last week, and announce he wants to spend more quality time with his family?

• ROMNEY:Sorry, Wolf, won't help your ratings today. I'm keeping the option open at this point, as are probably 20 or 30 other people, Republican and Democrat.

• BLITZER: So, walk us through the process. You're keeping your option open.

After the elections, presumably, November 7, it's going to be a sprint to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina. At what point do you make a decision, "You know what, I want to be president"?

• ROMNEY:**I think you will see most people who are considering '08 giving it some consideration, probably towards the end of the year, maybe the beginning of next year -- different people choosing different times.

But you probably can't wait too long, because the primaries and the early caucuses are starting even earlier this year. So, I think those that are really serious about looking at '08 are going to have to make up their mind pretty quickly.

Mike Allen

Q. We’ll start with the Roger Mudd question. Governor, why do you want to be president?

A. “I can make America a more prosperous and secure place for my kids and grandkids, and your kids and grandkids. Because Washington is a mess and needs to change. There are two courses we can take: A course for weakness, the course that Europe has chosen of big government, big taxes and less personal responsibility. Or we can take the American way, which calls on the strength of America – it strengthens our military, it strengthens our economy and it strengthens the American family. I know how to make America strong. And for that reason, I’m running for president.”

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