John Kerry

Reading what you wrote, I think back to a short answer Esquire interview in early 2006. Asked about the pain of losing, Kerry answered:

"An honest answer is that I was more knocked on my ass when I was younger. Because when I lost the race for Congress in 1972, everything was new, raw, and fresh. That experience taught me how to pick up the pieces and go on. It taught me that there are much more important things than running in a race and not winning. Your family. Your values. The things you choose to fight for. I left the race for the presidency with my integrity — and that's very important.

I can't find a link to the article, but can find a link to what is likely a better source of record for Kerry (2005 - 2011) - the old DU Jk http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=273&topic_id=69181 - here is a link to Mass's excerpt

Romney will not be able to speak of his integrity or speak of fighting for his values - he is fighting to win as whatever shape could win.

In this year's convention speech, the parts that seemed the most strongly said (in an amazingly strong speech) were when he spoke of Obama ending the policy of torture and when condemning Romney for not speaking of the troops. Talk about values going back to the first point he became known in the early 1970s!