Mitt Romney started his victory speech in the Florida primary with a notably conciliatory tone — and seemed to be prepared for a possible long primary season ahead. It was a contrast from his speech three weeks ago in New Hampshire, when he sounded virtually like a presumptive nominee.
“Thank you to the people in this room, and the people all over Florida. Thank you tonight for this great victory,” said Romney. “There are fewer candidates tonight than when the race began. But three gentlemen are serious and able competitors, and they’re still in the race, and I want to congratulate them on another hard fought contest in this campaign.
“Primary contests are not easy. And they’re not supposed to be. As this primary unfolds, our opponents in the other party have been watching, and they like to comfort themselves with the thought that a competitive campaign will leave us divided and weak. But I’ve got news for them, a competitive primary does not divide us — it prepares us, and we will win.
The audience applauded. Romney continued: “And when we gather back here in Tampa, seven months from now for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America.”
