Romney supports student loan proposal

ASTON, Pa. -- Mitt Romney embraced a student loan proposal Monday that President Barack Obama is selling on the campaign trail and refused to endorse Sen. Marco Rubio's conservative immigration plan aimed at helping young illegal immigrants.

The two policy positions signaled an effort by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee to move to the political center as he works to court critical general election swing voters, including young voters and Hispanic voters, after a brutal primary fight.

"I think young voters in this country have to vote for me if they're really thinking of what's in the best interest of the country and what's in their personal best interest," Romney said as he stood next to Rubio (R-Fla.) and answered reporters' questions for the first time since effectively securing the nod.

House Republicans oppose legislation to temporarily extend low-interest rates for student loans. Obama has been pushing Congress for the extension and planned a three-state tour this week to warn students of the financial catastrophe they might face if Congress fails to act. Romney said he supports a temporary extension.

But Romney refused to embrace a Rubio proposal that would allow young illegal immigrants to remain in the United States to work or study. He did say there were provisions to "commend" it and that his campaign would "study the issue"

During the South Carolina primary, Romney said all illegal immigrants should return to their home country and get in line to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. Rubio's still-evolving bill would allow young illegal immigrants who graduated from high school and have no criminal record to obtain a nonimmigrant visa. They could stay in the United States, obtain a driver's license and work or continue their studies, but would have no special path to citizenship.

Romney's answers illustrate the careful line he has to walk as he transitions from the primary to the general election, where he'll have to tussle with Obama for support from the Hispanic, female and young voters who propelled Obama to victory in 2008.

Obama, meanwhile, has to hang on to those constituencies. His tour through North Carolina, Colorado and Iowa today and Wednesday is intended to rally young supporters.