E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSIn 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."
Leave a Comment:
"After all, they do a great job on the gardens of several of our homes, and our maid Consuela... well, we'd be lost without her. Lost, I tell you!"
Everything good is because of them. Everything bad is a concerted effort to make them look bad and it's really not their fault.
What a bunch of standup high-integrity people asking to be leaders of the country.
It's apparent that MSNBC and Democrats, don't understand the difference between "Latinos" and "Illegal Aliens". Just for your edification MSNBC.........Illegals are just that, illegal and and they shouldn't be here.
Anything to further divide this Country.
Oh, believe me, many Republicans I have meet though the years can't tell the difference either. They think because I look a certain way, I don't belong here.
Try putting the blame where it belongs Sophie, with the illegals that rob, rape, sell drugs, join gangs, croud our prisons, croud our schools and hospitals and suck all of the entitlement funds out of our security system that are ment for deserving "legal" families.
Gee Dave, don't forget about the illegals that install fiberglass insulation in our walls or clean our septic tanks, or shovel pig manure, or pick apples. You know, the kind of work that is beneath every Republican I have ever met.
Wow dave. The "papers please" legislation legalizes racial profiling. It would seem that it is YOUR party that has issues separating Latinos from "illegals".
Categorizing all illegal aliens in the way that you did is narrow-minded and extremely racist. You certainly weren't referring to those gangs of illegal Canadians, were you.
Blame yourself for your complete lack of humanity...and try to turn off the foxy-notsy news channel for at least 5 minutes a day.
"Ann Romney blames Democrats for GOP's poor standing with Latinos"
Really?
OK its unfortunate that we have an immigration problem with people from mainly Latin countries, but when people like Joe Arpiao and Kris Kobach try to strip the humanity from these people, how do you expect to get support from others in the Latino Community? They made be here illegally but to many in the Latino Community the are also in a sense compadres they are not going to put up with anyone abusing them.
Yeaintuseait5,
If they are here illegally they are breaking the laws and they shouldn't be here, period. If they want to be "compadres", that's fine, go do it in the Country where they belong. America is sick and tired of babysitting and feeding law breakers that have absolutely no right to be here.
Why can't you doorknobs figure that out.
@daved
I'm sorry but you are not babysitting them or feeding them. The immigrants are some of the most hard working people. The ones you are babysitting and feeding are the white,black,and second third generation Hispanics on welfare. Immigrants are here to work that's why they clean the hotel rooms, wash dishes and work the fields. Its your own American comrades that your babysitting and feeding. Don't blame the immigrants for the whoa's of this country just look to the controlling class to see whats hurting this country
I fail to see how they can expect to get support from HUMANITY. They are simply throwing red meat to the racist bottom feeders like dave "I am not a doorknob...but if I am I'd be a white one" D.
It's absolutely pathetic.
It's also Obama's fault that Hurricane Issac happened, that we have welfare, that they cannot pay their taxes like real Americans do, but instead, because of their wealth, they must cheat the government out of it's due money and hide it in off shore accounts.....I am so sick and tired of listening to Queen Ann and King Mutt complain...wah, wah, wah!!! Obama's attacking me with his despicable ads ....the national debt is his fault.....most of us turn a deaf ear to this b/s...two more months and this guy can go live in the Cayman Islands...let's hope for good!!!!
Actually let her keep talking Obama and Michelle will just keep looking better and better.
mesorandom,
Look better and better than what? Please finish your sentence.
The message from the GOP for the past few years has been pretty clear for Hispanics like myself. When they talk about the "Real America" I know they are not talking about me.
Hey Madame Romney,
The Democratic Party could not create the, dislike, disdain, distrust, and hatred, of the Republican Party that most of us have for the GOP and your GD husband.
Your lily white, exclusionary, class warfare practicing GOP had to work really hard to do that. You are as phony as that say anything, do anything, to get the GOP nomination scumbag, tax cheat, American job destroyer scumbag that you married for time and all eternity did to the Republican Party." Dale una mamada al Gobrenador Romney, sin escupir!
LTC Rattus, USA, ret.
"You better really look at your future and figure out whose 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."
Thank you Ann. I love to be told what I need to do.
There is only one answer: President Obama
Somebody please stick a watercress sandwich in Ann's mouth before she embarrasses herself any further.
I see Princess Ann joined the rest of Repubs trying to sling bullcrap.
It is an act of moral and intellectual cowardice to blame others for our own faults. If the republicans have a bad standing with the Latino community it is because of what the republicans do and say. The Latino community is just like any other community of rational adults, they make their decisions based on facts and experience. Latinos are not ignorant dupes - they are just like the rest of us and perfectly capable of understanding propaganda, whether democratic or republican, for what it is.
If republicans or democrats want to know who is responsible for bad relations with any community all they need to do is look in a mirror.
Never trust a man who doesn't drink beer! I wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney in a million years!
Yahoo News fires reporter, apologizes to Romney over 'black people drowning' remark
You can read it in Fox news, but you won't because you say they are racist. What a shame.
Tonight I will tune to NBC to watch the RNC and see what I learn. I would challenge SeekingInsanity to watch Fox and we can compare notes tomorrow.
May I help you? It appears that you have wandered into this room a bit disoriented?
Yeah, I noticed Rush was talking about this thing too. I guess anything to distract from the "news" in Tampa is good for the righties.
What planet is this lady from? Are you kidding me? Either this lady has led a very insular life or she's been totally snookered by the GOP!
:)
I want to know what Ann's horse has to say about all of this. Does the horse speak Spanish too?
How dare those commies not want to deport all the brown people like we real Americans do.
Next, Ann will be blaming the Democratic Party for Mittwit's poor showing among Black people.
"Ann Romney blames Democrats for GOP's poor standing with Latinos"
Now, listen, You People. Mitt and I know what is best for you, and the less you know the better off you are. My husband is very honest, and You People just need to take our word for it. He is trustworthy and deserving of your support. How do I know? Because he told me, that's how.
Now, You People save yourself a lot of time by deciding in your own minds and believe us. When we need something from You People we will tell you.
Now, GET AWAY FROM MY DANCING HORSIE, AND LET HIM RIDE THAT CAR ELEVATOR!!!
Ann: "Besides, Mitt and I both wore berets around France in our lean years. We did God's work by spreading the gospel according to Joseph Smith."
And don't piss us off or we'll hold you down and shave your head so we aren't forced to look at your terrible haircut!!!
I loved this comment. Really.
Ann Robme comes across as a b!tch for some reason. Maybe she is one......
When is she going to tell us to eat cake? And to make sure it's not from 7-11?
He has also been accused of using illegal immigrants to mow his lawn! (He actually has, though he claims he wasn't responsible.)
Also, how about Ann Romney reach out to the GLBT community?
Somehow I didn't see that coming. I didn't think that Mormons approved of homosexuality, but whatever floats your boat Ann!
Is there a blonde joke here? She is apparently as stupid as her husband.
What is the difference between Mitt Romney and a leech?
One is an ugly, slimy, disgusting, blood-sucking creature, and the other is a harmless earthworm like animal.
Oh gimme a break!!! Now its the Dems fault the the Republicans have alienated themselves with latinos. This bitch is so out of touch with reality it's unreal.
Annie, you are nuttier than bag of peanut M&M's. Just like Mitt, there is nothing in your head...