BOSTON (AP) -- Conservatives concerned about inconsistencies in Republican Mitt Romney's record on gay marriage and abortion said Tuesday the Massachusetts governor has some explaining to do.

For now, at least, the potential presidential candidate isn't talking.

The governor's office issued a brief statement last weekend amid reports of a 1994 letter in which Romney, then a U.S. Senate candidate, pledged to be a more effective champion for gay causes than his opponent, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

The statement said the governor has been a "champion of traditional marriage."

At a gathering of San Diego County Republicans Monday night, Romney brushed aside a question from The Associated Press. "Thanks, I have other people to talk to right now," he said.

Such dodges may not satisfy conservatives, who hold critical sway in the primaries and could opt for other possible candidates with strong records on social issues such as Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.