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Mitt Romney pans Hillary Clinton's record as "timid"

As Mitt Romney eyes a third presidential bid in 2016, his detractors (and even some supporters) have pondered a pair of questions: Did Romney learn anything from his loss to President Obama in 2012? And is he prepared to take the fight to Hillary Clinton if he runs again in 2016?

If his speech on Wednesday night at Mississippi State University is any indication, Romney is trying to answer both questions in the affirmative.

Romney raises speculation about 2016 plans 02:59

Romney, who first ran for president in 2008 and was his party's nominee in 2012, said the U.S. is poised to rebound "with the right kind of leadership," according to the Washington Post. And that leadership, he suggested, is something Clinton won't be able to provide.

He criticized Clinton, a former secretary of state, on foreign affairs, panning her record as "timid" and scorning her for "cluelessly" trying to reset U.S.-Russia relations during Mr. Obama's first term.

He attacked her on the economy, accusing her of ignorance about how jobs are created.

"How can Secretary Clinton provide opportunity for all if she doesn't know where the jobs come from in the first place?" Romney asked.

While Clinton has not yet formally declared a run, she's widely expected to declare herself a candidate later this year.

Cast as an out-of-touch plutocrat during the 2012 campaign, Romney also signaled on Wednesday that he's working to shake that image, tailoring his message to lower- and middle-income voters.

"The reason I'm Republican is because I want to help the poor, the middle class," Romney said. "The rich in America, by the way, are fine."

He directed some blame at both parties for not doing more to foster prosperity and upward mobility in America, saying "Republicans and Democrats have not taken action to actually do the things necessary to restore opportunity in America and make sure the American dream is alive for all Americans."

He advised his party to close the "gap in communications" with American voters, particularly the young and minority voters who have largely sided with Democrats in recent elections.

While he was content to dole out advice to his party about the future, he demurred when he was pressed on his own plans for 2016. Asked what he would do differently if he launches another campaign, for example, Romney said it was a "question I won't answer."

While he often came across as stiff and scripted during his 2012 campaign, Romney, according to the Post, exuded an easy sense of humor onstage that could serve him well if he dives back into a campaign.

Mitt Romney could pull a ‘Nixon’ in 2016 if he wins 00:38

He joked about a man who told him during a campaign stop in 2012 to grow some stubble "to become more sexy."

"As if I needed that," Romney said.

He also recalled the words a masseuse told his aide after a massage at a Marriott in San Francisco: "Mr. Romney has strong legs. He's a dancer, is he not?"

Romney even snuck in a self-effacing dig at his own personal wealth, estimated near $250 million. He said he's not eyeing another presidential bid just for the sake of a lucrative turn on the speakers' circuit after the fact.

"As you've no doubt heard, I'm already rich," he joked.

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