Were the words just “poorly chosen” or did they reflect his true views? Based on his tendency to support big government (then is whenever has political power), it is a safe bet that his words reflect the goals of a Mitt presidency e.g. a nanny state overseas and at home.
---In the four balanced budgets he signed into law, Governor Romney used the line-item veto or program reduction power to cut spending by nearly $1 Billion.
--- Over the course of four budgets, Governor Romney made over 300 line-item reductions, 350 line-item eliminations and struck language 150 times. (Romney signs no new tax budget in time for new fiscal year, June 30, 2003)
---Spending in the Governor's office dropped from $5.6 million in 2002 to $4.6 million in 2006.
--- Careful examination of the complete story of Mitt Romney’s record in managing the state budget of Massachusetts leads an honest reviewer to the conclusion that his term as Governor was a remarkable success story of fiscal conservatism in government. (Romney often casts himself as budget hero, Boston Globe, October 24, 2005)
---When Gov. Romney left office in 2007, there were 600 fewer government workers employed by the state of Massachusetts than at the beginning of his term.
--- Governor Mitt Romney pledges, if elected President, to cap non-defense, discretionary federal spending at inflation minus 1 percent. That would save $300 billion in ten years. Romney pledges to veto any federal budget that exceeds the cap.
--- Mitt Romney pledges to personally lead a top-to-bottom review of federal government programs, agencies, procurement and spending to eliminate waste, inefficiency and duplication.