Just hours before the polls closed, Mitt Romney came back on his private plane to chat with his traveling press corps one final time. He was by turns nostalgic, confident and at peace. Here is the complete exchange of Mr. Romney’s 50th news conference — and his last one as a candidate:

Q: How did it feel to see your name on the ballot?

ROMNEY: That was quite a moment. We’ve been working for this a long, long time, and to be on the ballot for the president of the United States Is very humbling. It’s a great honor, and I hope that I have the chance to serve.

Q: Are you thinking of your father?Read More

ROMNEY: You know, I think about my dad from time to time and my mom. I sure wish they were around to be a part of this. It’s one of the inevitable parts of life that we lose the people we care most about, and I hope they’re able to watch in their own way.

Q: Governor, what does it feel like getting off the plane in Pennsylvania and seeing that, for someone who has no idea what you’re going through, what does it feel like to be you today?

ROMNEY: You know intellectually I’ve felt we’re going to win this and have felt that for some time, but emotionally just getting off the plane and seeing those people standing there — we didn’t tell them we were coming, we didn’t notify them when we’d arrive — just seeing people there cheering as they were connected emotionally with me and I not only think we’re going to win intellectually, I feel it as well.

Q: What is your assessment of your campaign? Are you proud of every moment out there? Do you have any regrets? Is there an argument that you wish you could have made better?

ROMNEY: You know I’m very proud of the campaign that we’ve run, to tell you the truth. No campaign is perfect. I’m sure like any campaign, people can point to mistakes. But that’s the mark of anything that’s produced by human beings. Our team has been very solid. We have not had the kind of infighting that’s reported to have occurred in other campaigns. We’ve worked well together, our campaign team. And we’ve gotten our message across. I am very pleased. I feel we have put it all on the field. We left nothing in the locker room. We fought to the very end. And I think that’s why we will be successful.

Q: Do you have two speeches written for tonight?

ROMNEY: I just finished writing a victory speech. It’s about 1,118 words. And, uh, I’m sure it will change before I’m finished, because I haven’t passed it around to my family and friends and advisers to get their reaction, but I’ve only written one speech at this point.

Q: Looking back over the last two years, how has this experience changed you as a person?

ROMNEY: You come away with a much greater appreciation for the depth of character of the American people. Despite our great differences in location and background, we have some characteristics of greatness that inspire and give you confidence that the future can be brighter than the past.

Q: But what about you? How has it changed you personally? Did you surprise yourself in any way over the last two years?

ROMNEY: I expected to be more tired given the number of events and the hours. And I think I got energy from the people that I spent time with, whether at the rope line or the rallies. You know when you have 10,000 people cheering you, you get a real boost from it. And so I have not been tired by the process. And frankly have enjoyed it a good deal. It’s very exciting. I think the general election campaign is particularly invigorating as you see people come together and support the effort.

Q: What’s it been like to campaign with Ryan? What difference has he made?

ROMNEY: Oh, it’s fun to be with Paul. It’s too bad that we have to divide to be able to hit all of the places we want to go to. Likewise with Ann. She’s off on her own day after day. But being with Paul is a real plus. I think we both enjoyed that a great deal.”

Q: What are you most looking forward to doing as a noncandidate?

ROMNEY: You know, assuming I win, my mind will immediately focus on the transition, the work that has to be done, the gathering of the people to carry out the work that we have. And I can’t imagine that I’ll be able to unwind. I think instead it’s winding tighter. So I don’t look postelection to be a time of regrouping. Instead it’s a time of forward focus. And the prospect of losing, I don’t give that a lot of thought. I know it’s possible and, because there’s nothing certain in politics, but I have of course a family and a life that are important to me, win or lose.

Q: I heard you were thinking about getting a puppy?

ROMNEY: If, assuming I win, one of the benefits would be to get another Weimaraner.

[Starts to walk away, then turns back around]

ROMNEY: Thanks you, guys. … I thought you had bigger seats back here.

Q: Don’t you wish you had spent more time back here?

ROMNEY: I know what the result of that would have been. More things to regret. [Laughs]