Paul says he's noncommittal about backing Romney

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Republican candidate Ron Paul says he's noncommittal about backing Mitt Romney if Romney becomes the party's presidential nominee.

The Texas congressman says Romney is a friend but that they'd have to talk about the kind of foreign policy Romney would pursue before he makes a decision.

Paul spoke Thursday in Columbia, Mo., where he held a rally ahead of that state's presidential caucuses on Saturday.

Paul trails Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich in the GOP nominating contest. Paul has not won in any of the states that have already voted.