At first glance, Mitt Romney had good reason to be pleased with the turnout at today's "Strengthening America's Military" event in Des Moines. The small room was packed to the proverbial rafters. A closer look, however, revealed a slightly less comforting reality: most of the audience--about 50 of the 80 in attendance--was of the journalistic persuasion.

Needless to say, the St. Petersburg Times' Adam Smith, Newsweek's Richard Wolffe, the New Yorker's Jeffrey Toobin and the Washington Post's David Broder and Dana Milbank don't just stumble upon tiny Romney events in Iowa.

Why the gargantuan gaggle? Simply put, hacks like me flew out from Washington and New York or trekked up from College Station, Texas hoping for a chance to hound, harass and/or harangue the former Massachusetts governor about the more controversial aspects of yesterday's "Faith in America" address. Strengthening America's military? Um, not so much.

In the end, we got our opportunity to hear Romney clarify "The Speech" (and even address new reports about the continued use of illegal immigrants to tend his lawn). But Romney made us--and the good people of Iowa--suffer for it. First, he was late. A half-hour late. No big deal, usually. Typical, in fact. But with today's unfavorable citizen-scribe ratio--not to mention all the pent-up reportorial passion--waiting quickly gave way to an absurdist round-robin tournament of man-on-the-street interviews. "I must be a celebrity by now," said one Iowan after his third consecutive quote-a-thon. "I should've worn a nicer suit." "It's okay," his interviewer shot back. "We'll notify your press secretary next time." Romney's actual address--summary: Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan, the Greatest Generation, Ronald Reagan--was less ridiculous. And also less entertaining.

The post-show press availability, however, was a different story. Held in a smaller side room, it kicked off cordially enough. "Things get exciting toward the end, don't they," said Romney, a dozen cameras clacking. "Gosh, look at this. It's good to see you all. Good day today. Thrilled to be in Des Moines with snow on the ground. With that..."

Insert shouting here. Then more shouting. Finally, above the fray, a question:

"I'm wondering why you didn't mention non-religious people in your speech yesterday, number one, and also what you meant by 'freedom requires religion'?" asked a reporter.

An important point--but Romney deflected. "I'm paraphrasing something that's been said both by John Adams and George Washington," he said. "Which is that, in their view, for a nation like ours to be great and to thrive... that our Constitution was written for a people of faith and religion. It's a very extraordinary element and foundation for our nation. I believe that's the case."

Unsatisfied, another reporter pounced. "Do you think an atheist or non-believer or non-spiritual person can't therefore be a free person?" he asked.

"Of course not," Romney responded. "That's not what I said."

"But you said 'freedom requires religion'?"

"I'm talking about the nation," Romney snapped. Next question.

Inconveniently, it was about immigration--specifically, recent reports that contractors in Romney's employ were still using illegal immigrants. "Governor, in the mail, on the stump and on television you talk about how tough you are on immigration," said CNN's Dana Bash. "But you allowed contractors at your house to clearly have illegal immigrants working for them. Do you see a paradox there?

At this point, it was clear that Romney was no longer "thrilled to be in Des Moines." "I've certainly never proposed that homeowners have a responsibility when they hire a contractor or a company to then go out and inquire of the company's employees whether they happen to be legal or not," he said. "It's actually our understanding potentially that it'd be against the law. That's why I've proposed that instead we have an employment verification system to identify which employees are here legally and not here legally."

"If I may follow up," Bash said. "You're running as a CEO, someone who's really focused on issues like this, on judgment--not as an average, everyday citizen. So should people look to you as somebody who would have the judgment, or perhaps go the extra mile, to make sure no illegal immigrants are..."

For Romney, who's usually rather robotic with reporters, that was it. Time for offense. "And what's the extra mile?" he asked.

REPORTER: To make sure... especially running for president...

ROMNEY: Tell me, how would you do that in this country? For example, if I go to restaurant, should I make sure all the waiters there are legal? How would I do that?

REPORTER: (Pause)

The rest of the back-and-forth--most of it about the political motivations and implications of The Speech--was equally heated. Mike Huckabee made a cameo; a question about wartime sacrifice went unanswered. And then, six minutes after he entered, Romney nodded, grinned and abruptly left the room. According to one Romney regular, it was "the most intense avail so far. Usually, it's just, like, six of us going, "How are you today, Governor Romney?"

Not, it seems, anymore. Let the games begin. 

On the Politics of The Speech

REPORTER: Do you think you put to rest questions yesterday in your speech especially among evangelical voters here in Iowa?

ROMNEY: That's not what the speech was about.

REPORTER: What was it about, sir?

ROMNEY: The speech was about faith in America and religious pluralism. The role of faith in America. The need to maintain the role of faith in our country. To keep God in the public square if you will. The speech was not about politics. I don't know how the politics work on it.

REPORTER: But we're in a political season, sir.

ROMNEY: Well, you've got to get together with the political pundits and they'll tell you how it's going to work. But that's not what the speech was about.

(Shouting)

REPORTER: People said before the speech that you've had trouble connecting with people. How did you think the speech helped connect you more?

ROMNEY: Again, that's not the purpose of my speech. The purpose of my speech was to talk about a very important topic of great significance to the country, which is our fundamental religious heritage, faith in America. What our values are. What are the kinds of questions that I think are appropriate to ask a candidate of faith about their faith. I pointed out that I don't think it's appropriate for someone to become a spokesman for his or her faith, because when they become president they need to rely on the prayers of people of all faiths. I made my points in the speech. I don't know what the implications are from a political standpoint, because that's not really what I was addressing. I was addressing a topic of significance that hopefully will touch the hearts of some people.

On Sacrifice:

REPORTER: You had a quote in there about sacrifice--about how we needed to sacrifice. What they specific sacrifices that you're going to be calling on the American people to make?

ROMNEY: Work hard in school. Do our very best. Push for excellence. Insist in our business that we work hard, that we do our very best, that we invest in new technologies and education. If America's going to lead the world, we have to have the best education, the best schools, the best kids...

REPORTER: With all due respect, Governor, that's in peacetime. What are you asking in this time of war?

ROMNEY: (Turns away)

On Mike Huckabee's Immigration Plan:

REPORTER: Governor, do you see a conflict in Mike Huckabee's immigration plan in that he's been supportive of the Dream Act but says in his plan that he would reject efforts to go towards amnesty. Do you see a conflict in that?

ROMNEY: You know, I'll look at his specifics. But I think the greatest area of concern I had with regards to his immigration policy was first in the debate asking him about his program that would've given tuition breaks to illegal aliens. My hearing of his response was him denying that that's what he supported. But it turned out that he did, in fact, support that. And I don't think the American people think we ought to give benefits to people who come here illegally because that would only intend to draw more people to the nation. With regards to his Dream Act support and the posture of his new platform I haven't seen enough to make a comment on that.

REPORTER: Would you be in favor of extending a pathway to citizenship to children who are here illegally, who were brought into this country obviously not of their own doing, but get a high school education, do a year of service, go to college...

ROMNEY: I think I've laid out my position. In regards to people who come here illegally, they should be allowed to get in line and apply for permanent residency or citizenship. But there should be no special pathway for permanent residents or citizens solely by virtue of having come here illegally.

(Shouting. Romney leaves the room)