"And strong families. There's no work going on in America that's more important to the future of this country than the work that goes on within the four walls of the American home," he said to cheers. Mentions of the leading Democrats in the race drew boos.

Romney was mobbed by rally participants after his brief speech, including Evelyn Cann of West Jordan. Cann held a homemade sign that read, "Mitt Cann Win" for Romney to autograph.

"Incredible. I didn't expect that," Cann said of meeting the candidate. She said she arrived at the rally with $500 in checks and intended to raise more before leaving. "He has motivated me," Cann said. "He's my man."

Romney held a short press conference at the rally, telling local reporters, "It's obviously a thrill for me to be back in Salt Lake." He called the success of the 2002 Olympics "an accomplishment by a great community. ... I owe a great deal to the people of Utah."

He said while he's pleased to be doing well in the early-voting states, the race is expected to tighten up as the caucuses and primaries get under way in January. "I'll go up and I'll go down. But I'll be on the air because of the generosity of people here," Romney said.

Romney criticized Democratic health-care plans, which he described as "big government, big taxes and more spending," in favor of state-based private plans similar to what he did as governor of Massachusetts.

As for Iraq, Romney said, safe havens must not be left for terrorists. "That means we should maintain our presence there to prevent that from occurring," he said, "until the time when the Iraqi military and the Iraqi people can provide security themselves."

Romney said he supported school vouchers, an issue that will go before Utah voters in November. "I believe very strongly in school choice," he said. "I think it's a great idea for states to have school choice."

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