Per the interview
Maybe it was the pressure of the moment. Being under the Tim Russert spotlight can get to anyone. Under Russert's grilling about guns on this morning's "Meet the Press," former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney claimed an endorsement he'd never won.
In answer to questions about whether he would sign an assault weapons ban, Romney said: "Just as the president said, he would have, he would have signed that bill if it came to his desk, and so would have I. And, and, and yet I also was pleased to have the support of the NRA when I ran for governor. I sought it, I seek it now. I'd love to have their support."
Later in the interview, he added the following:
"I just talked about, about guns. I told you what my position was, and what I, what I did as governor; the fact that I received the endorsement of the NRA."
Straight from slick master himself!
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/16/romney_claims_nra_endorsement.html
The first quote says “support”, and involves his run for governor. He did have their support, but not their endorsement.
The second quote says “what I did AS governor, the fact that I receieved the endorsement of the NRA”. What he did AS governor was work with the NRA on the AWB bill, which was what Russert had asked about. The NRA endorsed his work on the AWB, he worked with them to make the bill better.
Both statements are true. Some people got confused and thought that his 2nd statement was referencing his first statement, so his campaign issued a statement clearing up that misconception.