"Virtually all have run positive campaigns, except one," said Romney. "He has run a uniformly negative campaign, which has distorted the truth and been mean-spirited. I think Iowans will reject that."

While rivals like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have been at the top of most national polls, Romney has run strong in some early voting states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

"There's no question that the folks in the field in Iowa are training their guns toward me because my campaign has been successful here," Romney said. "We have a good level of support from people who are Christian conservatives to people from other faiths, from a cross-section of Iowans. The fact that I've got this support here and a state as far away as New Hampshire suggests that my campaign is connecting and touching people throughout the party and that I have a real prospect of becoming the nominee."

Romney dismissed any suggestions that he should be considered the front-runner for the party's nomination.

"I'm far from a front-runner," Romney said. "It would be fun to be front-runner. I hope to be maybe in January of next year."

In the interview, Romney also:

• Argued that rival John McCain remains a formidable foe despite setbacks in his campaign. "I consider him an important contender in the race," said Romney, who was less charitable toward Giuliani. "I think we can't win the presidency without a pro-life, pro-family Republican."

• Defended his stance on the minimum wage, saying he favored "moderate, predictable changes" in the minimum wage linked to other indicators of growth in the economy. "I don't like the big jumps from time to time."

• Jumped into a dispute between Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama over Obama's statement that he would talk to leaders of hostile countries like North Korea. Romney joined with Clinton in criticizing Obama's stand. "Having the president meet with the authoritarian tyrants of the world is remarkably poor judgment."

• Sought to lower expectations for the Aug. 11 GOP straw poll in Ames, Iowa. Having invested the most time and money in the event, many expect Romney to win, but he was far more modest. "I expect to finish in the top two or three," he said.