Mitt Romney describes the leaders who inspired him in politics.

Question: Which leaders have taught you the most?

Mitt Romney:Well, as I think about the leaders that I’ve known personally, my dad and my mom have to be at the top of the list. They were my heroes. My dad in particular was a business leader and then a political leader, and I watched him very closely and learned a lot from him. In history you look back to some of the great leaders of our country, of course. And the first Washington, an extraordinary leader. But also John Adams, Thomas Jefferson to a certain degree. One of my favorites, Teddy Roosevelt – his bully, bully attitude about America is something which infected the American spirit for a long time with great buoyance and optimism. Ronald Reagan – as time has gone on he has gotten smarter and smarter, you know that? His brand of optimism . . . his recognition that to overcome challenges, you fight to strengthen America. That’s something which I very much have adopted in my own political philosophy.And of course there are great religious leaders who shaped one’s perspective . . . my perspective of leadership. Certainly the Master is one of those, and Paul, and other great leaders in the early church. They’ve inspired my own thinking. Recorded on: 11/26/07