Romney accepts nomination, says Obama has failed

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Republican Mitt Romney, in the most important speech of his presidential campaign, told a television audience of millions that Barack Obama had failed to deliver on his soaring promises of hope and change and that it is time for new leadership during tough times in America. Romney accepted the Republican presidential nomination late Thursday, casting himself as the best hope to lift the struggling U.S. economy and "restore the promise of America." He outlined lofty goals — making the U.S. energy independent, slashing the deficit, and creating 12 million jobs — though said little about how he would achieve them. "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans. And to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family," he said. His speech marked the climax of the three-day Republican National Convention and a milestone in his long, often-rocky quest for the presidency. Four years ago, he was defeated by John McCain in his bid for the nomination. This year, he had to fend off a series of Republican challengers, questions about his shifting positions and mutterings about his Mormon religion. The ultimate prize, the White House, will be determined in a November vote. Polls show Romney and Obama in a dead heat with the economy the biggest issue in the campaign. The United States is struggling with 8.3 percent unemployment and the slowest economic recovery in decades. Romney noted excitement over Obama's promises from his campaign four years ago "gave way to disappointment and division." "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," he said. Those words were clearly not directed at the Republican audience before him, but to television viewers who had backed Obama in 2008. Romney will need to win many of them over if he is to have a chance at winning the White House. The speech was seen as a national introduction of sorts for the 65-year-old Romney — an oddity considering his years in the public eye. Yet for all his time as candidate, Massachusetts governor and head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, he remains something of an enigma. He is often seen — unfairly, friends say — as stiff and distant. While polls show voters view Romney, a multimillionaire former businessman, as more capable of fixing the economy, they find Obama to be more honest and likable. The campaign hoped the convention would change perceptions. For three days, speakers have portrayed the candidate as a man of family and faith, savvy and successful in business, savior of the 2002 Winter Olympics, yet careful with spending. A portion of the convention stage was rebuilt overnight so he would appear surrounded by delegates rather than speaking from a distance, an attempt to soften his image. Romney offered details of his family life, recounting his youth as a Mormon, the son of parents devoted to one another, then a married man with five rambunctious sons. He choked up at least twice, including when he recalled how he and wife Ann would awake to find "a pile of kids asleep in our room." Before Romney's speech, church members warmly presented Romney as a compassionate man who lives his Mormon faith of service. Grant Bennett described Romney's volunteer work shoveling snow and raking leaves for the elderly. A couple, Ted and Pat Oparowski, recalled how Romney befriended their 14-year-old son David as he was dying of cancer. "We will be ever grateful to Mitt for his love and concern," she said. Romney is the first Mormon nominee of a major U.S. political party. Republicans also turned to some Hollywood firepower, with Clint Eastwood, the legendary tough guy, taking a turn at the podium. "When somebody does not do the job you've got to let 'em go," he said to a roaring audience. Romney made a press-the-flesh entrance into the hall, walking slowly down one of the convention hall aisles and shaking hands with dozens of delegates. The hall erupted in cheers when he reached the stage and waved to his cheering, chanting supporters before beginning to speak. Veering from the speech's focus on domestic affairs, Romney said Obama failed to slow Iran's nuclear threat, abandoned Poland by changing missile defense plans and has "thrown allies like