By Jackie Kucinich and Catalina CamiaUSA TODAY  Mitt Romney may have lost three GOP contests this week, but he showed no hint of weakness in his speech today at the Conservative Political Action Conference.  Romney delivered what sounded like a front-runner's address to a full ballroom at a Washington hotel, emphasizing the conservative actions he took as Massachusetts governor. They are a contrast to what he called the failure of President Obama.  "I fought against long odds in a deep blue state, but I was a severely conservative Republican governor," he said. "I have been on the front lines and I expect to be on the front lines again."  He touted his record as governor, saying he cut taxes 19 times, balanced the budget all four years of his term and cast more than 800 vetoes.  Romney is trying to recharge his campaign after losing contests in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado to Rick Santorum. He has long made the case that he is the best Republican to take on Obama in the fall, but he's not been able to seal the deal with some GOP voters who view his past positions suspiciously.  "I know conservatism because I have lived conservatism," Romney said.  In recent days, Romney has been more forceful in taking on Santorum -- as he has in the past with Newt Gingrich. Romney and his supporters have criticized Santorum's support for congressional "earmarks" -- the government-funded pet projects of lawmakers -- and his votes to raise the debt ceiling without getting concessions to cut federal spending.  In his remarks, Romney made subtle digs at Santorum and Gingrich as he outlined his achievements in the private sector and the Olympics that serve as contrast to the political careers of his rivals.  "I was the chief executive," Romney said, as he noted he is the only GOP candidate in either party "who has never worked a day in Washington."  "Leadership as a chief executive isn't about getting a bill out of subcommittee or giving a speech -- it's about setting clear goals and overcoming constant adversity. It's about sharing credit when times are good and taking responsibility for failure."  Santorum, meanwhile, took issue with Romney and Obama in his remarks to CPAC. The former senator noted his rival "supported the step-child of Obamacare" when he signed the Massachusetts health care law.  He told the crowd that the GOP risks losing the November election if their party's nominee would "give away" the issue of health care and has tepid support from within the party.  "Why would an undecided voter vote for a candidate of a party who the party isn't excited about?" Santorum asked.
Mitt Romney defended his credentials at a speech before thousands of GOP activists, telling the Conservative Political Action Conference that he's "lived conservatism."