A week ago, Republican Rudy Giuliani noted in a debate that none of the three leading Democrats have never managed a city, a state or a business. "It's not the time for on-the-job training as an executive," the former New York mayor said.

In the nearly 20-minute interview, Romney also:

• Indicated that he has padded his campaign account with more of his own money.

Asked whether he's contributed more than the $9 million he added in the first half of 2007, he said: "I believe so but ... I can't give you the figure and I don't know when that would have occurred. I do anticipate from time to time contributing to my campaign." Romney said he's put a limit on how much he's willing to spend but wouldn't disclose it. He quipped: "My wife isn't telling!"

An aide said Romney will make more contributions to his campaign and the amounts will be reflected on future finance reports.

Romney's personal contributions have helped him run more than $6 million in television advertisements in early voting states. He's focused primarily on Iowa and New Hampshire but in recent days has expanded to South Carolina and Florida, where he lags his rivals in polls. He's now running an ad in Florida that contends he has a record of solving difficult situations and that he possesses "leadership to turn around Washington."

• Endorsed the top U.S. commander in Iraq's plan to withdraw as many as 30,000 troops by next summer, saying: "I support that view."

Romney generally has punted to commanders in Iraq on war policy and stayed away from specifics in discussing his vision for the conflict. He assailed Democrats urging greater withdrawals and pointedly criticized Obama, who called for the immediate pullout of all U.S. combat brigades from Iraq, with force reduction being completed by the end of next year.

"To say we're going to leave on a date certain, regardless of the prospects of al-Qaida and Hezbollah is foolhardy," Romney said.