Two dozen Republicans interviewed by POLITICO this weekend said they’re disappointed Mitt Romney created an individual mandate in Massachusetts requiring medical coverage, but appreciate both his vocal promises to repeal “Obamacare” and his embrace of state’s rights.

“He can absolutely get past this,” said John Stephen, the GOP gubernatorial nominee who narrowly lost last year. “When you’re a governor, you need to do what’s best for your state. And what Governor Romney said was he believed in state flexibility [and] 10th Amendment principles. I think that’s a great start. He will just have to continue to expand on that.”…

Freshman Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who recently voted to repeal the national health care law and has previously called on Romney to explain the difference between his plan and the president’s, described his remarks on Saturday night as “heartening.”

“I think it’s important that he get out and talk to people throughout New Hampshire about his position, and I think he made a strong statement,” she said.