[img_assist|nid=998|title=Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R) at the Massachusetts GOP Delegation Breakfast|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=237]BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- In a warmly received speech laced with humor, Mitt Romney stressed the importance of a strong opposition party and this year's presidential election Tuesday.

Romney, the Bay State's most recent Republican governor, told the Massachusetts Republican delegation at their breakfast that it is essential for the Massachusetts Republican Party to grow and point out the ruling Democratic Party's mistakes.

"It is important in a Democracy to have a voice that points out the weaknesses in the opposition party," Romney said to a packed room. "Somebody has to point out where things have gone awry. Someone has to point out where progress is not being made. Someone has to point out where correction needs to occur."

The former governor also said that Republicans are pivotal to Massachusetts because the Bay State media favors Democrats.

"I know that there are certain journals in Massachusetts," he said, "that love anything that a liberal Democrat will do, regardless of what it is."

Romney also thanked the delegation for its support during his presidential run this year. In particular, he recounted a small rally that took place at the airport in New Hampshire at 3 a.m. after flying in from Iowa.

[img_assist|nid=999|title=The Massachusetts Republican delegation fills their breakfast room for Romney's address|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=112]"Can you imagine such lunacy?" Romney asked. "I said, ‘Holy cow. They came up here from Massachusetts at 3 a.m. in the morning to support me at a time when I need that support.'"

The former governor also talked about the course of the presidential election since he lost the nomination to presumptive nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.). This election is too important, he said, to be a sour loser and that is why he has worked hard on behalf of McCain.

"If you believe as I do that an election is about a series of beliefs and values that you think are important for your constituency, for your state and for your nation," he said, "then when one person loses and another person wins who shares those values and those views, then you jump on that team and work just as hard as you did the first time."

Romney took a few jabs at the other side's ticket. He [img_assist|nid=1000|title=The media at Romney's speech|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=right|width=200|height=121]recounted a scenario where this year's presidential race is so close after Election Day that neither the popular vote nor the Electoral College can decide it. To determine the next president, an ice fishing contest is held in Minnesota. On the first day, McCain brings in 10 fish and Obama catches none. On the second day, McCain catches 20 fish and Obama has still yet to catch one. On the third day, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) tells Obama that McCain is cheating and he should go spy on him.

"He comes back and tells Harry Reid, ‘You won't believe what John McCain is doing. He's cutting a hole in the ice.'"

"It just proves that experience does make a difference," Romney said to cheers from the delegation.

Romney went on to criticize the Democratic ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden in comparison to McCain.

"The contrast between their judgment, their wisdom and their experience is really remarkable," Romney said.

On foreign policy, Romney blasted Obama's willingness to meet with "the world's worst actors" and his desire to pull troops out of Iraq. His foreign policy naiveté, Romney said, led him to pick Biden.

"Barack Obama's been wrong enough, that he brought someone in that has 30 years of experience to be his vice president," Romney said. "It is true, Joe Biden has 30 years of foreign policy experience. But he also has 30 years of generally being wrong on foreign policy."

On economic issues, Romney said the Democrats would implement programs that would send the country in the wrong direction.

"Democrats are using the pain of a troubled economy to justify what their special interests always want," Romney said, "higher taxes, bigger government, government takeover of healthcare cutting off trade with foreign nations and then, with regards to energy, making sure we don't have nuclear or coal or additional drilling added to our mix."

Romney closed by calling on the delegation to work for the McCain ticket both in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire, a competitive swing state. He also joked about how far away the delegation's hotel is from the action at Xcel Energy Center, the convention hub.

"Don't' feel bad about how far you are away from downtown," Romney said. "We're the bluest state in America; it's not a surprise they'd put us so far away."