BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Mitt Romney said Tuesday he was “not disappointed at all” at being passed over for the Republican vice presidential nomination, but also said he wouldn't be interested in a Cabinet post in a McCain administration.

“I wish I were the Republican presidential nominee,” Romney said before addressing Massachusetts delegates to the Republican National Convention. “That's what I fought hard for, but you know, John McCain won fair and square. I salute him for that, congratulate him for that.”

Romney, widely believed to have been on the short list for a McCain running mate, said he assumed the eventual pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, had been well-vetted, despite this week's revelations.

“I think Sarah Palin connects very, very well with the base of our party and with individuals who are undecided across the country,” Romney said. “I think she's going to bring a lot of moms and dads to our team. I think she's going to strengthen the McCain ticket dramatically.”

As for taking a Cabinet role, which along with an ambassadorship is often a consolation prize a president offers his former rivals, Romney flatly said no. Romney ran both for governor and president like his father, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, who later went to serve as Housing secretary in the Nixon administration.

“I saw my Dad serve in the Cabinet, and I learned something from that experience. He felt he was kind of soldiered by the young folks in the White House and then there's the big bureaucracy that you try and move. It's hard to do that. I just don't have any interest in a Cabinet position,” Romney said.

Instead, Romney said, “I want to work from the outside of the administration, fighting for the values and the views that I think are essential to keep our country strong right now.”

Romney is expected to address the convention Wednesday night.