Romney Post SC Primary Speech: 'This Election Is a Battle for the Soul of America

(The Blaze/AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told supporters Saturday he's going to compete for every vote in every state after Newt Gingrich beat him in the South Carolina primary.

"Our campaign has fought very hard here in South Carolina and in the coming weeks and months, I'll keep fighting for every single vote," the former Massachusetts governor told supporters at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, only mentioning Gingrich by name to congratulate him. "I will compete in every single state."

Romney did criticize Gingrich without naming him, saying his opponent was joining in on a frontal assault on free enterprise when he castigated Romney's time at a private equity firm.

"When my opponents attack success and free enterprise they are not only attacking me," said Romney. "They are attacking every person who dreams of a better future. He's attack you, I will support you I will help you have a better future.

"I will make sure that America is a place of opportunity for all."

Romney also said his party couldn't choose someone who has never run a business or has never run a state.

It was a preview of the next week as the race turns to Florida, with the stakes even higher than they were in South Carolina.

Full speech: