Romney opposes long occupation

Romney noted that the United States has bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar and said: "We can have a presence in the region, but I think that at this time we need to exercise care not to communicate to insurgents something that they can use to say 'Ah ha! America does intend to be an occupier forever!"'

Romney also answered questions:

—On health care: "This is a topic where I don't think the Republican Party can sit on the sidelines and just say no." He boasted about passing universal health care in Massachusetts but treaded carefully when asked about a national mandate requiring all workers to have health insurance. "In our evaluation of what worked in our state, the only way it could work ... was to make sure that everybody participated in the system," he said.

—On Social Security: "I will not pursue the raising-taxes option," but he would not rule out raising the retirement age, cutting benefits or creating personal accounts.

—On gay rights: "If there are people ... who hate gays, than I'm not their guy," said Romney, who acknowledged he previously opposed the military's ban on openly gay service members but now: "It's working. I wouldn't change it."

—On the perception he's a serial flip-flopper: "In the style of Mark Twain, I would suggest rumors of my changes in position have been greatly exaggerated."

—On the Senate immigration proposal: "It's Washington coming together and reaching a great compromise that doesn't work." He said the United States must "replace gradually and humanely people who are here working illegally today with our own citizens and with legal immigrants."