Romney nominated, harps on faith, promise of jobs
Former Massachusetts guv: It’s okay to be disappointed with Obama
Polls: While Americans trust him to handle the economy, the former Massachusetts governor still not as well liked as the president
TAMPA, Florida — Republican Mitt Romney has a message for the millions of Americans who voted for Democratic President Barack Obama: It’s OK to be disappointed.
Romney used the biggest moment of his political career to tell Americans about his own background and family as he appealed to the feelings of anxiety that are rippling through the electorate as the nation faces stubbornly high unemployment and fears about its future place in the world.
“Hope and change had a powerful appeal. But tonight I’d ask a simple question: If you felt that excitement when you voted for Barack Obama, shouldn’t you feel that way now that he’s President Obama?” Romney said as he formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night.
“You know there’s something wrong with the kind of job he’s done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.”
In a deeply personal speech that had him visibly emotional at times, Romney sought to forge the kind of personal connection that has in some ways eluded him.
While Americans trust him to handle the economy, polls show he’s still not as well liked as Obama — and the speech represented an effort to broaden his appeal and connect with women and with middle-of-the road voters who will ultimately decide his fate.
“Four years from the excitement of the last election, for the first time, the majority of Americans now doubt that our children will have a better future,” Romney said.
Huge, sweeping pledges
Obama, he said, made huge, sweeping pledges — instead of focusing on issues closer to home.
“President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet,” said Romney. “My promise is to help you and your family.”
In his quest to connect, he talked about his time as a young husband and father, with five rambunctious sons.
“Those weren’t the easiest of days — too many long hours and weekends working, five young sons who seemed to have this need to re-enact a different world war every night,” he said, his eyes visibly teary in a rare display of emotion.
“If you ask Ann and I what we’d give, to break up just one more fight between the boys, or wake up in the morning and discover a pile of kids asleep in our room. Well, every mom and dad knows the answer to that.”
Unsuccessful bids
Romney’s voice cracked as he talked about his mother, Lenore, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in Michigan, and his father George, who served as governor of Michigan and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968.
“My mom and dad were true partners, a life lesson that shaped me by everyday example,” Romney said. “When my mom ran for the Senate, my dad was there for her every step of the way.” Romney also made rare direct references to his faith. “We were Mormons and growing up in Michigan. That might have seemed unusual or out of place but I really don’t remember it that way,” he said.
“My friends cared more about what sports teams we followed than what church we went to.”
The whole night was orchestrated to help Romney tell his story. Speakers and videos introduced Romney as a businessman, Olympic savior and deeply religious family man. And the testimonials were deeply personal.
One couple, Ted and Pat Oparowsky, told the crowd about their 14-year-old son David, dying of cancer, who Romney would visit in the hospital. (AP)