"I'm doing my best to be governor," quips Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney during an interview Friday at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

"I'm battling every day to keep my head above water,"

It could be that his smile is an indication that he is simply sick of the question. But his actions of late have given credence to claims that he may be laying the groundwork for an attempt at the nation's executive office:

The man credited with creating a "turnaround" within the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, has written a book of the same title: Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games.

He has been actively promoting President Bush and speaking out against John Kerry, the Massachusetts man who has been his senator for nearly 20 years.

And then there is the passive-aggressive stance he took toward the Democratic National Convention hosted in his hometown of Boston this week.

Crossing his legs and sitting slightly slouched in a plush red armchair, Romney coyly discredits claims that he may be pushing for the presidency.

"Part of a political job is to maintain political strength and viability," he said, adding that may mean he steps back instead of pushing a position to no avail.

For example, instead of taking the chance during the Democratic convention to promote Bush, Romney said he "stood back" and kept his mouth shut.

It was a move political pundits have praised as one that could draw both Democrat and Republican votes in the future.

But the 57-year-old governor, an active Republican, simply calls the response an appropriate action.

"I wanted the convention to be successful," he said, regally framed by a blue backdrop promoting his new book.

"It's inappropriate to be the attack dog while at the same time holding out the welcome card."

As for the push to promote President Bush, Romney said he is acting out of a belief that Bush should win - not to boost his own stature.

"Kerry definitely takes both sides on most issues," said Romney, calling the senator's stance on Iraq a "rhetorically interesting and passionate" clich.

And while most political pundits say Kerry will get a slight boost from the Democratic convention, Romney says it won't be sufficient enough to win. Instead, he points to the lessons he learned as CEO of the 2002 Olympic Games - statements about leadership spread throughout his 384-page book.

"It's about serving, it's not about getting," he said.

And to be effective, a leader has to focus on "getting the right people" and "motivating them to pull in the same direction." You can't do that with conflicting statements, according to Romney.

While Romney says that "blueprint" from the Olympics has helped him as governor, he again won't say whether it will help him to the Oval Office.

"I feel sorry for journalists who have to predict things so far in the future that they're remote in the extreme," he said, laughing. "It's remote in reality."

Monday Book Signings

* Deseret Book, ZCMI Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

* Barnes and Noble, Barnes and Noble, Sugar House, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

* Book Signing with "Team 2002" Olympic volunteers

* Olympic Legacy Fountain, Gateway Plaza, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

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