Red, White and Blue
Romney: Time to leave disappointments behind
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Charles Benson reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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TAMPA, FL- Mitt Romney's mission in this election: connect with Americans on a personal level.
He sought to do so Thursday by appealing to feelings of anxiety -- if not disappointment -- that's 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 will say as he formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night, according to prepared remarks. "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."
Aides said the speech was the most important of Romney's political career. It comes as he seeks to broaden his appeal and connect with women and with middle-of-the road voters who will ultimately decide the general election in November.
Romney will get personal, specifically citing the influence of his mother and father -- both dead for more than a decade --when he faces the Republican National Convention and a prime-time audience.
"My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all -- the gift of unconditional love. They cared deeply about who we would be, and much less about what we would do," Romney will say, according to prepared remarks released by the campaign.
George Romney, a Michigan governor, ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968 when Romney was a young man. His mother, Lenore, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 1970.
NBC reports actor Clint Eastwood will help introduce Romney before his speech.
Romney is expected to take the podium after 9 p.m.
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