This is an interesting video that was posted by LGF author Randall Gross a couple of weeks ago; I tracked down the source and the original video for the full context.

The video was secretly shot by Democratic opponents of Romney in the 2002 Massachusetts governor’s election, and shows him boasting about his Washington connections and his success in getting millions of dollars from the federal government. The story’s originally from ABC News in March 2012, during the Republican primary race: EXCLUSIVE: In ‘02 Romney Touted D.C. Connections, Federal Funds.

Since so much of Mitt Romney’s attack on President Obama right now is the implication that businesses shouldn’t need a leg up from the government, it’s fascinating to see Romney happily bragging about his ability to finagle millions of dollars from the hated feds.

In a long-forgotten tape from the 2002 Massachusetts governor’s race obtained by ABC News, Mitt Romney is seen touting his Washington connections and his ability to get millions of taxpayer dollars from the federal government.

“I am big believer in getting money where the money is,” Romney says on the video, “The money is in Washington.”

The video, which was surreptitiously shot by Democratic opponents of Romney on Oct. 16, 2002, shows him addressing a group called the New Bedford Industrial Foundation. The Power Point presentation he uses lists ways to improve economic development in Massachusetts, including “boost federal involvement.”

“I want to go after every grant, every project, every department in Washington to assure that we are taking advantage of economic development opportunities,” Romney tells the group.

And while Romney now often criticizes his opponents for being Washington insiders, in this video he touts his Washington connections.

“I have learned from my Olympic experience that if you have people who really understand how Washington works and have personal associations there you can get money to help build economic development opportunities,” Romney says.