It is the job of "turning around Massachusetts" that interests him now.

"I've got a legislature that is 85 percent Democratic. It takes all my energy and my focus. So something like the presidency could not be further from my mind. What I've got to do is get re-elected in a state where 13 percent of the voters are Republican. I'm an underdog all the time.

"When they toss me out as governor," he says, "I don't know what I'll do. I may be too old to think of anything else."

In the meantime, the 57-year-old Romney is "applying the tools" he learned during the Olympics.

"The turnaround in Utah was really a team effort — I had the best management team I've ever worked with by far. Together we crafted a turnaround strategy that worked.

"I'm employing similar tactics in Massachusetts. The difference is, here at the Games, we were all pulling together. Back in Massachusetts politics, you've got people who work very hard to make sure I don't succeed. That's the nature of politics."

Although Romney cultivates Democratic politicians in Massachusetts, it's an uphill battle, he says.

"Democracy requires two strong parties. I make that pitch all the time — you need more Republicans in Massachusetts, and I'm not embarrassed to say there are good Democrats in Utah as well. You need a strong Democratic Party. Good Republicans need good Democrats to keep them sharp, and keep waste, abuse and special interests from taking over."

Romney has run into his share of controversial issues since becoming governor almost two years ago, and concedes there are "tons of things" he would do differently. But speaking out against gay marriage isn't one of them.

When he was elected, he vowed to keep every promise and stick to every position he took during the campaign.

Romney also says he has been concerned that going to Massachusetts might jeopardize the health of his wife Ann, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. But so far that has not happened.

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E-mail: dennis@desnews.com