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Romney: Health Of Massachusetts More Important Than Health Of My Political Prospects

Mitt Romney

The political wisdom holds that Mitt Romney must distance himself from “Romneycare” — the Massachusetts health care law that is often pointed to as the inspiration for the health care law signed by President Barack Obama — if he hopes to make a serious run for President.

But it doesn’t look like Romney is backing down.

The Boston Globe reports:

“Overall, it was a positive approach,” Romney said in a Globe interview for this story. “I’m proud of the fact we took on a real tough problem and moved the ball forward.”

“I know this is going to get a lot of conversation,” he said, “but the health of the people in Massachusetts is more important to me than the health of my political prospects.”

During a 51-minute interview, he used a variation of that line three times.

Romney previously defended his health care plan at a lecture at the University of Michigan, saying it worked well for his state but said he would never impose it on the entire country.

Mitt Romney
Ryan J. Reilly

Ryan J. Reilly is a D.C.-based reporter for TPM. Prior to joining TPM, he worked for a news website covering the Justice Department and was a researcher for Bloomberg News. His email address is ryan(at)talkingpointsmemo.com.

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