Ann Romney blames Democrats for GOP's poor standing with Latinos

In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shared her concerns about America's economic future. When asked about the headline-grabbing speech from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ann Romney said he "clearly came out and supported my husband." She was pleased with her RNC debut, as well. "My intent was to speak from my heart to other people's hearts and I think that happened," she said.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Ann Romney today placed blame on the Democratic Party for creating "biases" in the Latino community that, she argued, are anti-Republican.

The wife of the soon-to-be GOP presidential nominee said she, like many Republicans, understands and sympathizes with Latinos and how many came to this country for a better life.

"So it really is a message that would resonate well if they could just get past some of their biases that have been there from the Democratic machines that have made us look like we don’t care about this community. And that is not true," she said. "We very much care about you and your families and the opportunities that are there for you and your families."


But Democrats and even some Republicans -- like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- say that it has been the Republican Party's tone toward illegal immigration that has hurt the GOP with this demographic group. 

Ann Romney talks about her marriage to Mitt Romney, her children and their lives together as she characterizes the GOP nominee as a trustworthy, compassionate leader.

For his part, Mitt Romney has been accused of using illegal immigration as a political weapon against his intra-party rivals.

In 2007-2008, Romney's campaign aired a TV ad with the candidate stating, "I opposed driver's licenses and in-state tuition for illegal aliens. As president, I'll oppose amnesty, cut funding for sanctuary cities and secure our borders. Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration -- that's got to stop.” 

NBC News' Andrea Mitchell joins Morning Joe to discuss Ann Romney's speech on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. Mitchell was on hand at the Tampa Bay Times Forum for the speech.

During this GOP primary season, Romney touted the endorsement of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (who helped co-author Arizona’s controversial immigration law), and he recommended that illegal immigrants self-deport. 

Speaking to nearly 150 members of the Latino Coalition at a luncheon as part of the convention, Ann Romney tried to emphasize the magnitude of the November election that pits her husband against President Barack Obama.

"It's also very important that the Latino community recognize how important this election is for them. And they are mistaken if they think they are going to be better off with Barack Obama as their president," she said. "There really is only one way for prosperity, for small business, and that is this is the simplest way I can say this: If Mitt Romney wins, America wins."

Obama won two-thirds of the Latino vote during the 2008 election. In the recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Telemundo poll, Obama held a similar lead over Romney among that demographic group.

Ann Romney said reaching out to specific pockets of the electorate, like the Latino community and females -- as she did this morning and in her speech Tuesday night -- is a key role of hers during her husband's campaign for the White House.

"For me, I feel like my importance in speaking out is making sure those coalitions that would nationally be going for another party wake up and say you better really look at the issues this time. You better really look at your future and figure out who's going to be the guy that's going to make it better for you and your children. And there is only one answer," she said.

Did Ann Romney humanize her husband? Did Chris Christie talk about himself too much? The National Journal's Major Garrett and The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson share their thoughts on the big RNC speeches Tuesday night.

Craig Romney, Mitt and Ann's youngest son, who introduced his mother at the luncheon, is fluent in Spanish and has played a big part in Hispanic outreach in the Sunshine State -- a state with 29 electoral votes up for grabs.

"It's very important that we get our message out in Florida to the Latino community, in particular. And I know this boy right here has been doing a great job of representing my husband with a great voice," Ann said "I know he’s been doing a lot of advertising, radio advertising and TV interviews and everything else. We’re so proud of him."

And showing off her motherly side, Ann Romney added:

"I have no idea what he’s ever saying when he’s speaking Spanish, but I’m so proud. I just sit there and beam when I hear him speak, as a mother always would."

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What an ignorant, screwed up thing to say. By saying it she demonstrates why Latinos dont like them. Repubs are clueless. One does not have to look far to find ammo like this to use against the Republicans, but they come up with lies to make Obama look bad. Obama is not perfect. It really would not be that hard to come up with some criticism of him. But all they do is invent things. Preposterous.

  • 6 votes
Reply#105 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:09 PM EDT
Comment author avatarMark Welbyvia Facebook

Que idiota!!

  • 4 votes
Reply#106 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:09 PM EDT

Barack Obama:

Alias Barry Soetoro pawns himself as Barack Obama, the humanitarian, the POTUS, the campaign for hope and change. But we know better. Barry is a radical Marxist who was raised by Communist parents and Communist grandparents. His mentors were known Communists, his contacts in college were strictly Marxists supporters, Marxist professors and a group of Pakistani activists as stated in his book, “Dreams From My Father”.

Barack Obama, tell us about Frank Marshall Davis or Bill Ayers. Surely you remember Mr. Davis. After all, your mother knew him all too well. Mr. Ayers, a known terrorist, responsible for at least a dozen bombings, helped your early Illinois campaign by raising money, thru his organization Underground Weather. Tell us about your trip to Pakistan (’81) with Pakistani Wahid Hamid.

Share with us your ideals of socialism, after all you’re a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), referred as the “New Party”. Please tell us why you have been influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, the prelude to Communism. Share with us your association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Do you justify this man’s message by condemning our country by saying, “God bless America? No, God Damn America”? Was this a forethought supporting your belief in Marxism?

Are these the individuals who have inspired you to public office? Are these the individuals who have inspired you to plot against the United States? Are they the people for whom you’ve entrusted your Muslim faith?

Please tell us why you mocked the Holy Bible and Jesus’ sermon on the mount, calling the sermon a radical message. You have mocked Christianity and this country. Barack Obama, you have betrayed this nation and all its’ people. Your skin is dark because of your race, but your soul is darker because of your deception.

United States of America………………YOU didn’t build it Barack Obama.

  • 1 vote
Reply#107 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:11 PM EDT

He didn't say that and you know it!!!! By the way the building the republicans are giving their convention in was built with the so hated government money.

  • 5 votes
#107.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:17 PM EDT

Little green men live behind the moon. Obama is protecting them. One day, they'll invade. Thus, let's protect our cheese in Wisconsin and California. Similar?

  • 4 votes
#107.2 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

Top Drum, there are meds for people like you who are delusional. I suggest you take them.

  • 2 votes
#107.3 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:27 PM EDT

Wait a minute. Top Drum...you are not cutting and pasting your replies, are you...cause you said exactly the same thing on another thread. At least make your lies original.

  • 1 vote
#107.4 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:32 PM EDT

Bruce-1628250

  • Yo TopDumb!
  • He never went by the name Barry Soetoro.
  • Your entire comment is FALSE
  • I do wish you LIARS would get some new lies. This one is really really worn out by now. For anyone who cares about the TRUTH, go to Snopes and read.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthers/occidental.asp

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

    #107.5 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:30 PM EDT
    Reply

    Did Ann Romney use a teleprompter last night? I wonder if Ryan and Mitt will use one...

    • 1 vote
    Reply#108 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

    Have you heard Mitt free form it? Of course they'll glue his eyes to little teleprompters that are smaller than a contact. From here on out, he'll say only what they show him to say.

    • 2 votes
    #108.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:21 PM EDT

    It doesn't matter whether or not she uses a teleprompter. The fact of the matter is that what comes out of her mouth is pure crap. I'm glad she loves her husband, but she shouldn't expect the rest of us to fall for this BS.

    • 4 votes
    #108.2 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:26 PM EDT
    Reply

    lol just because some of them might not speak English very well, doesnt mean they dont understand bulls#$% when they hear it! lol Kobach is a KNOWN racist...to even suggest its anyones fault but their own that latinos hate them is laughable. ps love the racism shown on the floor of the convention today..speaks volumes.

    • 5 votes
    Reply#109 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:14 PM EDT

    dearest david, isn't it true that 90% of blacks will vote for obama versus roughly 50% of whites (and only 10 percent of blacks for romney) ? I know who the racists are. Too bad though, idiots with small minds cant quite grasp concepts like that.

      #109.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:59 PM EDT
      Reply

      Very boring & just a little to syrupy sweet for me,Felt kinda fake. Mitt needs to learn to speak for himself! Instead all we get from him is ( JUST TRUST ME ) OR (You've Got all your going to get.Really, Show your federal tax forms to the people you want to give you the white house,Otherwise Mr. Romney NO WAY.

      • 5 votes
      Reply#110 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:14 PM EDT

      Yvonne, she really makes me gag. Also, all you get from her is "just trust me".

      • 3 votes
      #110.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:25 PM EDT
      Reply

      Ann Romney, please get over it. It is the Republicans fault that they have a poor standing with Latinos. fault. It is the Republican Party that stated during the primary that they would put-up an electrical fence to keep Lations out of the United States. It was your husband that state Latinos need to self deport. It was the Republican that refuse to support the Dream Act. It was the Republican Jan Brewer that behaves in a hatful manner to minorities. Please, give me a break, when the public start attacking Ann Romney, please do not expect the public to stay quit because you are the wife. It is the Republican that do not have compassion for human beings.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#111 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:16 PM EDT

      But if Mexicans do make it to Boston, the Romney's will hire them as gardeners even without papers. Then fire them when Mitts run for governor.

        #111.1 - Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:26 PM EDT
        Reply

        The GOP only has themselves to blame for their alienation of

        Women

        Hispanics

        African Americans

        LGBT Community

        Seniors

        Crated Dogs

        The poor

        Students

        Independents

        Middle Class

        Planned Parenthood

        The U.K.

        Israel

        Non-Christians

        Did I miss any?

        • 9 votes
        Reply#112 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:16 PM EDT

        Thanks Mark! Good post.

        • 3 votes
        #112.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:19 PM EDT

        Awesome, Mark. The only ones you missed that I can see are people with brains who know how to think for themselves and aren't buying the GOP doublespeak.

        • 2 votes
        #112.2 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:24 PM EDT

        Scientists, you forgot that hated group. And union members.

        • 3 votes
        #112.3 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:34 PM EDT

        Girl Scouts

        • 3 votes
        #112.4 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:40 PM EDT

        and the Red Cross and the AARP

        • 3 votes
        #112.5 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:44 PM EDT

        mark...you forgot all govt employees. You know, police,firefighters,teachers, FBI, FEMA,CIA. Oh, don't forget the military, they also work for the govt.

        • 1 vote
        #112.6 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:07 PM EDT
        Reply

        Everyone must now bow - her royal heinie, Queen Ann has spoken........ We're glad you can speak Spanish, that way you'll know what we mean when you hear us chanting "bese mi culo le bigot".

        • 8 votes
        Reply#113 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:17 PM EDT

        Republicans are passing laws that require photo identification to VOTE! That's going to alienate most of the Hispanic votes right there.

        GOP lies lies lies, worst hypocritical party ever in the history of man kind.

        Obama 2012!

        • 4 votes
        Reply#114 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

        So you are saying Hispanics are too dumb to get photo ID's?

        Democrats, if they really cared for people & not protecting multi voters, would help people get photo ID's to help them the other 364 days of the year along with the other 3 years.

          #114.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:25 PM EDT
          Reply

          These daft right wingers can take no responsibility for anything. My God their nuts!

          • 5 votes
          Reply#115 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:19 PM EDT

          Ann has got it all wrong. Listen to Jeb Bush

          The republicans have more than an immigration challenge. Read their platform. They have a challenge to be empathetic human beings.

          • 5 votes
          Reply#116 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:19 PM EDT

          I just figured out how Romneyhood could get the unemployment down to 4%. Make unemployment only good for 12 weeks. then your off of it forever

          I just wonder what President Obama's unemployment rate would have been if he hadn't extended unemployment to 99 weeks. maybe someone could figure that out? I do know a lot of true Americans was glad for the extra help

          • 1 vote
          Reply#117 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:21 PM EDT

          In 2007-2008, Romney's campaign aired a TV ad with the candidate stating, "I opposed driver's licenses and in-state tuition for illegal aliens. As president, I'll oppose amnesty, cut funding for sanctuary cities and secure our borders. Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration -- that's got to stop.”

          Really, Ms. Romney? Your husband's policies (quoted above) have nothing to do with it? His pandering to people like Jan Brewer with his comments about "self-deportation" and how he would support the "papers, please" legislation in Arizona have nothing to do with it? It's all the fault of the Democrats? How dumb do you think we are? Go back to your ivory tower and take Mitt with you.

          • 5 votes
          Reply#118 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:21 PM EDT

          Well, that and his fake smile. Alienates a lot of people.

          • 4 votes
          #118.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:35 PM EDT
          Reply

          No Ann, the GOPers should take responsibility for their own shortcomings dealing with people of color. You can say whatever you'd like but we know a LIE when we hear one!

          • 3 votes
          Reply#119 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:24 PM EDT

          Wow!! what nerves, Romney/Ryan and the entire Republican Party have insulted minorities and women through-out the campaign with no apology. Ann, do you really think any minority would like to vote Republican after the many insults. Minorities are people with feelings. It is hurtful when you have another person treat them as if they were less than human. If is hard for any person see that a minority would vote for Mittens. Please, give me a break!!!

          Ann, the public can see that you love your husband. However, a person would be a fool to trust you or your husband with their economical future.

          • 5 votes
          Reply#120 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:26 PM EDT

          "...they have no bread?! Well let them eat cake!"

          Ann romney-hood talking to her maid about the American Middle Class.

          • 4 votes
          Reply#121 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:29 PM EDT

          And Christie says, "mmmm, cake!"

          • 6 votes
          #121.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:38 PM EDT
          Reply

          We'd love to get some of you people to work in our yard. Mitt fired the last group.

          • 5 votes
          Reply#122 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:30 PM EDT

          Blame D's for R's words and actions. Sounds Republican to me.

          • 4 votes
          Reply#123 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:32 PM EDT

          Hee, hee. Mitt Romney. Gonna make a speech. Mitt Romney. Hee, hee.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#124 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:33 PM EDT

          So, now that Ann has given her "Love" speech in front of the American public she feels qualified to go out there and in Republican fashion tell lies? When she yells out "I love youuuuuu Latinos!" is when everyone should run far away! Thanks for playing Ann, now don't you have a DAR luncheon to plan?

          • 4 votes
          Reply#125 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:36 PM EDT

          I don't think Mormons are allowed in the DAR.

          • 6 votes
          #125.1 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:40 PM EDT

          You are probably right.

          • 1 vote
          #125.2 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:58 PM EDT
          Reply

          OMG! I haven't laughed that much in a long time. HA-HA-HA-HA.... Yes Virginia, Republicans like to blame Democrats for everything, even for their own poor standing with minority groups. Romney's.... release your tax forms, if you don't want to release them for fear of being attacked more, how to you plan to protect America?

          • 5 votes
          Reply#126 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:41 PM EDT

          Romney hood's suppressed tax returns?

          Ann Romney-hood's Swiss accounts?

          Secret foreign accounts & tax dodges?

          3rd World dummy corporations?

          Nothing like having a U.S. President vulnerable to blackmail by a not-so-friendly foreign entity willing to stick it to him and in turn the American People.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#127 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:46 PM EDT

          Ann rom;ney doesn't even know what he is saying but she is proud nonetheless. Pretty much what you would have to do if you were married to mitt the flip-flopper.

          • 4 votes
          Reply#128 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:47 PM EDT

          Ann Romney doesn't understand her son when he speaks Spanish. What a joke, your son learned the language not very well, but a lot better than the Romneys. Just speaking the language is not going to grab votes, you have to relate, but the Romneys can't relate. We are facing voter suppression and Ann Romney wants to grab the Latino vote, I don't think so. Is that why the RNC put the Puetro Ricans up front along with the Virgin Islands so they seem in touch with the Latino vote and the African American vote. When those islands have no voting power, what a sham. Ann Romney out of touch with Latino voters, African American voters and women voters!

          • 5 votes
          Reply#129 - Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:47 PM EDT
          Reply
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