Mitt Romney admits he's "kinda" a politician

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- On the campaign trail, Mitt Romney fashions himself as a Washington outsider who spent his career entirely in the private sector. But he conceded on Friday that isn't entirely the case.

During a speech here, Romney stressed his commitment to cutting federal spending and balancing the budget, promises he said he knows that politicians have made before.

"But I'm not really a politician," he said, then corrected himself: "I guess I kinda am, because I was governor for four years and I've run for office. But my heart is a conservative businessman."

Earlier on Friday, Romney appeared on the "Rick & Bubba Show," a syndicated radio program based in Birmingham. For the second straight day he used the term "away game," this time referring to his time as governor of Massachusetts, a Democratic-dominated state.

"I battled in, if you will, an away game, working real hard to try and put in place conservative principles and my record is a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage governor," he said.

Romney was asked if, as a Mormon, he believes that America is the promised land. He laughed and responded: "You're going to go to the church and ask them what they think about that. There is no question as to the fact that Israel is the promised land. That's what the Bible tells us. My guess is, other lands are promised to other people. "

Matthew Shelley contributed reporting.