Highlights of Mitt Romney's speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday.

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The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for pornography — even celebration of it — and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs, have led to today's grim realities.

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The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. ... It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it!

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Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. ... It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency.

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It's high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government!

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Let's consider the greatest challenge facing America — and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad.

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And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child's play.<

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I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating al-Qaida and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

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This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. ... But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country. We cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism!