'Self-deportation'

Mitt Romney, asked a question by the Tampa Bay Times's Adam Smith about how he would rid the country of illegal immigrants without deporting them, Romney said he would rely on "self-deportation."

The idea, he said, would essentially be that people would leave voluntarily.

When the question turned to Rick Santorum, who was asked whether he thought that was a workable strategy, the former Pennsylvania senator said that it is already happening, since the recession has so diminished job opportunities.

Meanwhile, Romney also made clear in his stand on the DREAM Act that he would sign it if it was focused on military service. In Iowa last month, he said he would veto the DREAM Act but liked parts that focused on military service, saying, "I'm delighted with the idea that people who come to this country and wish to serve in the military can be given a path to become permanent residents of this country."

Being against the DREAM Act generally is a hard-right position that might not play well with Florida's Hispanic population. Romney's use of the phrase "I would sign," even though there is no version of the DREAM Act that just focuses on the military provision, gives him a bit of a bridge on a tough issue.

* This post and its headline have been updated