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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."
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What bothers me as a pure conservative.. is today, romney was a critic of defense cuts---like 800 billion a year isnt enough, last week it was medicare pumping it back up, he also backed off on a balanced budget, now he has backed off on illigals jumping the fence. he has his wife giving the halmark card address at a political convention as if it matters to who? . ...I mean, This is what we have in obama now. Who needs it.
Did she buy that outfit at Costco?
My God this woman is clueless.
Absolute best quote of the day: "The Romneys ate off of an ironing board. They seem to think that's what poverty feels like. Well, I went camping once. I'm pretty sure that wasn't what homelessness feels like." -Larry Womack
Just when I think I can't like this woman any less...she opens her mouth. Does she really think Latinos are so stupid that they don't know which party wants them 'to show their papers"? Any chance her son is saying "Mi madre es loco?"
neither side cares what the illigals do to this country. They want them in here either for votes or labor. Romney in the primary got a few people on his side with the blather but now that was just temporary.
perhaps, jollyjoker, but, do you think Latinos will forget?
And Ann said to Hispanic voters : "We very much care about you and your families and the opportunities that are there for you and your families."
What compassion and moving human sincerity!!!
Romney said: "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.”
That's all great and what has been said for the last..... BUT, no one is going to do a thing about it but stir-up motivation at election time. Problem is in 2012, you need MOST the Hispanics vote as well as black MAJORITY in order to win- unless you have an exceptionally great candidate...not this time.
Check out Matt's story on Rolling stone mag. Really eye opening account about Mitt's time at Bain cap.
Ann Romney's speech is about "love." It's a nice introduction but for the most part her speech is about their LOVE STORY and I don't think it's appropriate for a convention - it's more appropriate for a TV documentary.
Her speech lacks substance as to the policies and beliefs of her husband, Mitt, as to how to move this country forward. Yes, we love to hear and listen to good "love story;" but this election is not about a love story. It's about beliefs, values, policies and leadership. And Mitt does not have what it takes to be the leader of the greatest country on earth! Yes, he is an excellent businessman, but he does not have what it takes to lead this country to the next century and beyond.
This headline is a crackup. I'm sure most of what can be said on the vine, has been.
So I'll just say that Ann you crack me up. Looking forward to about 8 more weeks of comedy, then you can go away.
What an amazing thought process she came up with, to blame Democrats for fuzzing up the minds of Latinos. Maybe she should go to Arizona instead of having a son make commercials in Spanish for Florida and see how that Republican led state treats Latinos. The Supreme Court even with it's arguably conservative bias had to tell them to knock it off.
Ann Romney appears to be a nice lady who, like her husband, has never mingled with so-called "regular" people, meaning most of us with less than $20 million. When your home is always spotless because others take care of it you have plenty of time to be a mother and wife and look good. I think raising five boys she's plenty busy but add in a job and bill paying and laundry and in the case of Latinos, possible deportation for wanting a better life and it's another planet from her existence. That better life just includes a usually-underpaid job and an education for the kids not an elevator for the car garage. Or, as the joke went, the Romney's don't have an elevator in every garage, some of their cars have to take the stairs.
No doubt she and her husband are lovely people but they don't have a clue how 99% of us live and think and feel. A president has to know more than how to make a profit - democracy is about giving everyone a fair shake. Capitalism is about beating the competition. Government needs to protect us from those who take the profit and leave the destruction for others. Government grants also pay for education and transportation and is leads with innovation. Public-private partnerships bring much greater reward than just private. All companies benefit but in exchange those who need help should be helped by the government, with the ability to make laws that protect. Private companies rarely do what they don't have to nor should they. But the government should.
As governor of Massachusetts Romney seemed to do well but now he's totally dismissed all of that. That's the most bothersome thing about him, that he seems willing to disavow his entire history to get elected. Sure, some tweaking and spin is to be expected but it's like he was in witness protection - he didn't exist before this campaign. They appear to be a devoted couple and she'll follow him anywhere - that's great, but to blame Democrats because Latinos flee from Republican policiies is insulting to all of us.
Kathy- Really great post- nice but still funny and sooo true! I loved the witness protection, and will repeat this, and repost this quip, if you don't mind!
Witness protection indeed!
The Democrats are to blame, they offered a positive alternative.
Republicans use a certain tactic: Blame the other party for what you are planning to do or already have done. They are scapegoating Mexican Americans and trying to blame Democrats for what they have done and plan to do. Their supporters and those Republicans in elected office at the time are responsible for the economic crash and the slow recovery (Jobs? No No No) and now they blame Democrats. Ann Romney is doing exactly that. Mostly likely written by a Republican polished in the art.
Not that it matters. But most of the illegals are mexicans with ties to americans. In Mexico, the rule of law is you shoot, maim, kill and sell drugs. Then come to america and try to coopt americans into thinking its okay to break more laws like jumping over fences to get free bees. No different than the arabs and their consortium of money as they learn to fly planes into towers or kill christians abroad.
Jolly, you are sterotyping in a harsh way so that it gives you some justification for hatred. Plain and simple jolly.
It's like this, if you have a voter who looks at logic; they would not vote for obama based on jobs or the economy or anything for that matter. So, it makes you believe it something else. If your claiming that 90% of the black voters are not racist; why are 90% voting for obama when whites are only at 50 percent for obama? It tells me who is predominately racist as a race. Therefore, quite honestly- my ends justify my means cause no matter how bad obama runs america into the ground; these empty heads will vote for him. Therefore, political correctness is not worth the time. You may as well call it whatever it is. No different for latinoes. The only thing that I can think of is that obama gives amnesty for fence jumpers who milk the system who also have relatives here; otherwise, he hasn't improved their lives one iota. If obama wins, it won't matter cause they will not have improved their lives over the next 4 years. Its no different than hugo chavez in power.
Oh my gosh joker. Are you being serious? It's 0% for Romney and 93% for Obama Black vote. Do you know why? If you don't and that's obvious, you need to go back and listen to his speech to the NAACP. Then come back.
Our economy is much better today than it was 4 years ago. It takes time to dig our way out of the hole, and Obama has had many ideas blocked by a party that would rather run this country into the ground on his watch than to help those in need. By the way, your sweeping generalizations only indicate your deep racist beliefs.
Typical republican statement. Blame anything and everything but yourselves. Blah!
Didn't you mean to say Obama?
Ann, in fact, some of us "Latinos" did not come to this country, this country came to us! My ancestors were here generations before the Southwest became American, as was the case for TX, NM, AZ, CA and southern CO. As someone who should be a Republican based upon income (top 1-2%), there is no way I can support ANY of the current Republican platform positions against freedom, women, gays, minorities, other religions, and the blatent attempts to bring Theocracy to America! So I am going to pay more in taxes, support liberty and freedom, and fight tooth and nail against the current Republican platform and its policies regarding vaginal probes and "legimitate" rape!
Well, you do have the choice of sitting unemployed while your doing it. Hats off to you!
Well, I can see we've have our ignorant, hateful and uninformed Republican here. It's jolly. Yes you. All you plan on doing is trolling. Not adding value. You don't have you own thoughts. Thus, the attacks and sterotyping.
Yep, the Repubs have stacked the deck with crackpots this year. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks this radical fringe speaks for a majority of the country. Don't believe there's a flood of crackpots? Read the posts around here! Or go read the posts on Fox - oh, wait, Fox doesn't allow public opinions on their website.
Hateful? Ha ha you must be one of those dems. If you can't beat them on logic, call them a racist. Yes, I want as many illegals to jump the fence as possible so we can over crowd our hospitals and sink the system. As well, I enjoy having a court system tell me that if I don't pay taxes to support certain types of health care...ala forced abortion via the catholic hosptials that we are gonna shut you down.
That's liberty and freedom the dems way! VIVA the greek default, coming to american soon!
Sorry "Joker", but I have worked for about 45 of the last 55 years! I don't support deficit spending except in cases of War or economic disaster (2008), please try again!
Jolly, that is an earned title. Have Republicans shown a trend in racism? Yes, they have. As to the rest of your comment. Wow! If someone should win the coolaid drink contest, it would be you. You gotta get your own stance instead of being a puppet and not a good one.
Trend toward racism... your funny sunset. People forget the civil rights act was passed by a republican. Also, the supreme court has stated that obamacare as legal. that means, he can force a catholic hospital which gives about 25% of the care or more in this country to go against their religeous beliefs. The constitution bill of right number one be damned. I don't care for romney cause he is a backsliding everyman liberal lackey in disquise, and I certainly don't care for obama cause he is a piece of chicago garbage that accidently floated into the white house via hot air. Either one needs to change the sheets before they leave that place.
joker. Stop forgetting an important fact. You Republicans always forget to mention one thing when you wish to go back that far. Remember the Dixiecrats who left the Democratic Party? They were courted by Republicans and have been with them ever since.
Democrats fault? Sure. Just couldn't have anything to do with the GOP. One lie after another, because they know there's huge number of Americans that will believe anything. Like Ryan accepting stimulus money, saying it will create jobs, and then bashes the President for the program. I never seen anything like this in politics. Just blatant b.s. non-stop from the GOP
Both sides stink badly. Ryan is a liar and romeny .....you can't tell which way he will vote depending on the day. Yesterday he was a fiscal conservative; today he wants to give back 800 billion in military cuts and last week he wanted another trillion for medicare. He is almost as big a liar as obama. That's what is pathetic about the choices we have in november.
Ann Romney said she and Mittens love and respect Latinos. Who else is going to mow their lawns, clean their bathrooms, and muck their horse stalls?
Mittens and co like the labor as much as the dem's like the potential votes. Neither side gives a rats behind at to what its doing to america and the rule of law. (ie jumping into another country and suc king on someone else dime for all you uneducated bums0
But to tell you the truth, i cannot blame the hispanics. You need to know the history of this country. First, clinton. He enforced the law. Raided thousands of employers looking for illegals. Deported thousands. Then came the bushman, mr grover, the gop, the rushbo, & foxnews.com. Did nothing. No raids. No deportations. Used the illegal labor to break unions. Ignores the law. Until somebody noticed how there hasn't been a raid of employers for 7 years and hasn't deported anybody. So the bushman started and conducted a few raids. Deports a few illegals. Eventually put up a fence to stop illegals and terrorists from entering the country. The fence was not complete and not effective.
But what can you say. You can tell mr grover, the gop, the rushbo, & foxnews.com are ideologues. They have difficulty with the facts and the truth. It's why they have problems with science - the branch of knowledge dealing with the body of facts and truths. They have a war on science, the truth, and the facts. So be careful of what they will tell you. They have a culture of lies, full of racial hatred. Hatred of women.
Then obama takes over. Follows the law like clinton. Conducts raids of employers. Deports more illegals that ever before. Continues to put up the fence along the border. All the while being harassed by mr grover, the gop, the rushbo, & foxnews.com all saying that he is not doing enough. Needs to do lots more.That the country is being ruined by hispanics. I tell you mr grover, the gop, the rushbo, & foxnews.com are jerking the hispancs around like political pawns.
Of course they are treating hispanics like pawns. LIbs like the votes and republicans like the labor for the ones that jump the fence cause they don't want to live in squalor. 2nd generation Hispanics are in the middle. For me, on one hand I wouldn't mind sending every illegal back to mexico or wherever the heck they came from. On the other hand, we all know that with the baby boom generation that we need tax paying customers or this goes under. Either way works.
Princess anne has proved time and time again she loves latinos....whether they are cleaning her house, mowing her lawn, washing her car(s) or cooking her meals. How very christian of her...or are mormons still christians? I forget what the last study said.
The Romneys love illegals. They used to mow their lawn in Belmont, MA.
So let's get this straight. It is the dems fault for the folowing; self deportation, papers please, going to the border and shooting illegals, the term illegals,and my favorite an electricuted fence. How about trying to be more inclusive instead of being proud of a party that is 89% white. Now that is fine if that is what you want, but don't blame others when they don't feel welcomed.
I have never understood why an elephant is the Republican symbol. Elephants remember everything. Republicans remember nothing.
Sorry, Miss Ann. You're wrong and members of your own party admit it in this article. Doesn't give you much to stand on now, does it?? And having one son fluent in Spanish doesn't make one bit of difference as to how your party will vote on issues facing the Latino community. When your husband says the only resolution to the immigration "problem" is deportation, please don't think the Latino community is embracing you for it. Don't blame others for your problem. It takes a bigger person to admit you're wrong and then outline what you'll do to fix it. Republican politicians - and now you - have become very good at blaming others for their unfortunate political decisions. Please look within yourself before making stupid statements.
Sorry this one won't fly Ann. The GOP has themselves to thank for driving away the Latino vote as well as the woman vote. Both groups are perfectly capable of thinking for themselves, and see the writing on the wall, if Romney is elected. It's not a pretty picture.
Dear Ann - do you blame Santa Claus for telling the Easter Bunny to not deliver eggs on Halloween? Now that doesn't really make a lot of sense, but you don't either.
Alas, for a moment I was convinced that Ann was the more mature Romney.
Take some RESPONSIBLITY! You did it to yourselves.
The worthless filth (republiscum/conservatards/teabaggers) are getting very good at shooting themselves in the feet.