Taking center stage to accept the Republican
presidential nomination, Romney will pledge to rebuild the U.S. economy and
create millions of jobs after Obama's 2008 election promises "gave way to
disappointment and division."
Often accused of being cold and formal, Romney is focusing his
campaign argument on the need to jump-start the economy but the Republican
convention in Tampa, Florida, heard from friends and relatives who painted a
picture of a humane, compassionate man.
Emotional testimonials about Romney's work as a Mormon leader made
convention delegates in the Tampa Bay Times Forum cry. One couple talked of how
Romney befriended and comforted their dying teenage son. A woman, Pam
Finlayson, recalled how he prayed with her in hospital when her premature baby
daughter was close to death.
Romney's acceptance speech, which launches a two-month dash to the
November 6 election, will be seen later Thursday by a television audience in
the tens of millions and give some voters their first extended look at the former
Massachusetts governor.
It could be a defining moment for Romney, who has struggled to win
over conservatives and connect with independent voters in a campaign against
Obama that has been dominated by the sluggish economy and lingering high
unemployment.
"What is needed in our country today is not complicated or
profound. It doesn't take a special government commission to tell us what
America needs. What America needs is jobs. Lots of jobs," Romney will say,
according to excerpts of his speech released by the campaign.
Romney, who says his experience as a business executive is the cure
for the ailing economy, drew a sharp comparison between the promise of Obama's
election in 2008 and the results of the last four years.
"Today the time has come for us to put the disappointments of
the last four years behind us, to put aside the divisiveness and the
recriminations," he said. "Now is the time to restore the promise of
America."
Democrats alternately portray Romney, 65, as a heartless corporate
raider, wealthy elitist, tax evader and policy flip-flopper who should not be
trusted with the keys to the White House.
'GREAT AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY'
To counter that image, Romney's speech included biographical
passages describing his parents and family and defending his work at Bain
Capital, the private equity company that critics have accused of raiding
companies and cutting jobs.
"That business we started with 10 people has now grown into a
great American success story. Some of the companies we helped start are names
you know," he said, naming Staples and Sports Authority.
Romney and Obama have been running close in polls ahead of the
November 6 election, but the convention so far has given Romney a boost. The
latest Reuters/Ipsos online poll showed him moving into a narrow lead over
Obama -- 44 percent to 42 percent among likely voters. The Republican had
entered the week trailing Obama by four percentage points.
Such convention-related boosts are typically short-lived, and with
Obama set to headline the Democratic convention next week in Charlotte, North
Carolina, the incumbent could quickly rebound.
Obama still has the advantage over Romney in likability, an
important trait that may mask other problems Obama has in persuading voters to
give him four more years as a weak economy continues to dog the country.
Movie star Clint Eastwood will bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to
the convention, appearing as a surprise, last-minute speaker to warm up the
crowd for Romney, a Republican official said. Romney's speech will start at
around 10:15 p.m. (0215 GMT).
Leaving little to chance at the carefully stage-managed event,
organizers extended the podium outward and lowered it closer to the audience,
seeking to create more intimacy for Romney's address within the cavernous hockey
arena.
Dropping in on the convention hall, Romney stood at the podium while
workers adjusted teleprompters to his preferred height and a convention
organizer took him through his paces.
"This is the biggest speech of his political career, and I have
no doubt that he will deliver the best speech of his political career,"
senior campaign adviser Eric Fehrnstrom told reporters.
Romney's nomination culminates a long journey. After failing to win
the Republican race in 2008, he plotted a return to the political arena. This
year he was tested time and again by a series of conservative alternatives from
Newt Gingrich to Rick Santorum in a long and bitter primary campaign.
He outlasted all of them, helped by huge spending on negative ads by
"Super PACs" that support him, but is still struggling to win over
many Republicans unsure of his conservative credentials.
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