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Romneys reveal guilty pleasures, dreams

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at a campaign event in Fairfax, Va., Sept. 13, 2012. UPI/Molly Riley
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at a campaign event in Fairfax, Va., Sept. 13, 2012. UPI/Molly Riley | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Republican U.S. presidential nominee Mitt Romney says he likes nothing more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich accompanied by a glass of chocolate milk.

Wife Ann Romney says her guilty pleasure is doughnuts.

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The couple -- who hope to be the first couple after the November election -- revealed their guilty pleasures, spilled the beans on embarrassing moments and discussed weightier issues of the campaign Tuesday during the syndicated "Live! With Kelly and Michael" starring Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

If their story went to the big screen, Mitt Romney said he'd like Gene Hackman to portray him and actress Michelle Pfeiffer to portray his wife.

In an interview that was taped before the release of a video in which he suggested 47 percent of Americans are lazy people who think they deserve government handouts -- Romney told Ripa and Strahan he was running for president because "there are a lot of people hurting in this country ... I know what it takes to get this economy going [and] I want to help people."

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He said he and President Barack Obama agree on the importance of family and share concerns about schools, healthcare and the budget, but "we go about it in different ways."

Romney said he agreed with Obama on "taking out Osama bin Laden. I'm sure glad he did that."

Among other things, America needs more jobs, Romney said, repeating a theme from his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.

People must recognize that government doesn't create jobs, but can be a partner with the private sector to help create the environment in which jobs grow.

Romney, who held his wife's hand during the interview, said the toughest part of the campaign was being apart from his family, but the best part was "all people you meet ... their energy touches you."

Ann Romney said having multiple sclerosis during a campaign was challenging.

"Anyone who suffers from MS knows they need a normal routine, must eat healthy and get rest," she said. "I have to be extra careful. I have to be my own barometer on how I do."

As for life's less-than-stellar events, both shared embarrassing moments involving Ann.

Mitt Romney recalled a campaign visit to Dubuque, Iowa, when part of a stage collapsed, sending his wife to the ground.

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After she got up, Romney said Ann commented, "Well I fell on de butt in Dubuque."

Ann Romney recalled the time she was exploring the White House and accidentally walked in on President George W. Bush as he was getting a massage.

"He was covered up ... but I was so embarrassed didn't know what say to him," Ann Romney said. Later when the two of them were in an elevator, "He looks at me and winks like he does and said, 'I look pretty good, don't I?'"

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