Seeking to soften his image, Mitt Romney has this week taken again to touting the health care reform law he enacted as governor of Massachusetts, saying it illustrates his empathy and care about the people of this country.

While running for president in 2008, and the following year while the Affordable Care Act was still being crafted, Romney was actively evoking Romneycare as a model for federal health reform. All that changed after President Obama signed the law in March 2010, at which point repeal became the Republican Partys raison dtre. Romney quickly latched on to the cause.

Thats when the relationship between the now-Republican nominee and his signature achievement as governor grew complicated. Heres a timeline.

April 12, 2006: Birth of Romneycare

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney signs health care reform into law.

February 2, 2007: Model for the nation

Preparing to run for president, Romney touts Romneycare in a Baltimore speech. Im proud of what weve done, he says. If Massachusetts succeeds in implementing it, then that will be a model for the nation. He repeats this message in multiple media appearances throughout his presidential run.

January 5, 2008: I like mandates

In a Republican primary debate, Romney defends Romneycare and its individual mandate. I like mandates. The mandates work, he says. If somebody if somebody can afford insurance and decides not to buy it, and then they get sick, they ought to pay their own way, as opposed to expect the government to pay their way. He continues to echo this message.

July 30, 2009: Adopt my plan, Mr. President

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Here's A Timeline Of Romney's Ever-Changing Opinion On Health Care