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Subscribe to RSSThe presidential race heated up as Mitt Romney continued his assault of President Obama's record in Florida, saying that a 7.8 percent unemployment rate is nothing to celebrate. NBC's Ron Mott reports.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Mitt Romney concluded a three-day Florida campaign swing with one of his largest crowds of the campaign season packing a town square to hear his retooled stump speech, which now highlights the sometimes-rigid candidate's personal side.
"Now I’m optimistic – I want you to know that great days are ahead," Romney said Sunday before more than 10,000 supporters. "I know something about great human beings in this country. It’s that that gives me the confidence that our future will be so bright, because I’ve seen how Americans respond to challenge – and even to tragedy."
Romney then repeated three tales of courage in the face of death and tragedy that he debuted days ago in this critical battleground state.
The stories, told in succession, have quickly become a staple of Romney's stump speech and are designed to highlight the candidate's personal compassion.
One story even makes note of Romney's time as a pastor of a Massachusetts ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – a period once all but off limits for Romney, who rarely spoke of his Mormon religion in the early months of the campaign.
“I was serving as a pastor in my congregation at church and the – young fellow in our ward named David Oparowski, his parents from Medford, Massachusetts – his dad a firefighter, his mom a stay at home mom. They raised their two sons. But at age 14, David contracted leukemia and became very, very ill," Romney said. "It was clear that there was no good conclusion to this leukemia."
Romney ends the story of David's untimely death with a recitation of the phrase: "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose," borrowed from the NBC’s high school football drama, "Friday Night Lights." That phrase, with the "can't lose" removed, also appeared in a campaign fundraising email from Ann Romney on Sunday.
The former Massachusetts governor also hit all five points of his economic plan. He also noted that his plan would protect Medicare for current seniors and reform it for the future.
Given the heated battle for the senior vote here in Florida, the Obama campaign quickly fired back on Medicare reform.
"Mitt Romney would turn Medicare into a voucher program and increase costs for retirees by more than $6,000,” Obama campaign spokesperson Lis Smith said in a statement. “The truth hurts – especially for the middle class families who would suffer under Romney’s policies.”
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Republican Romney is doing everything he can to try and Sweet Talk America into believing that the Last Bunch of Republicans we threw out of office in 2008 had absolutely nothing to do with the Mess we are in today.
He wants everyone to believe that if America gives Republicans their Jobs back they won't leave it in another Wreck like Republican George W. Bush did.
Romney is George W. Bush on Steroids!
Another Poster Boy for the 1% as President.
oh yeah is he finally showing his tax returns
Romney the fake moderate republican now hahahahahaha
In wonder if Romney cries when he uses the Cadillac car lift at his ocean estate.Just can't believe his good fortune...
no he can have cake and eat it all in one setting
We got to see a pretend moderate lying and flip flopping candidate for one night. You can be sure the Tea Party and all the other zealots on the right will drag Romney back to their radical positions. Just the untruth about pre-existing conditions that had to be walked back by his campaign is proof that it was all an act.
no they want him right there until he gets elected.
LAR
You have no idea what you are talking about. The Tea Party did NOT want Romney to be nominated.
Also, Romney has said from the beginning that he wants to keep some of Obamacare, like kids staying on their parents insurance until 26. Personally, I think grandparents should be able to put grandchildren on their insurance because our children have a hard time when they start a family. I will be working on that.
Romney also said he liked the pre-existing conditions. Not for someone who has never had insurance, but then Romney is good about compromise and willing to concede to others if they have better ideas.
Romney the man the tea party told to talk moderate now until elected
Romney you were never a moderate...you are just like Rick Perry from Texas
Larry: First off,I never said anything about Romney not getting personal at all.Secondly,if you check one of my posts here you will find out that I stated I admired him for what he did as Pastor.What I think is despicable,is that he uses these very personal stories for his political gain and votes.Like I also said,there are many Pastors around the world who minister to the sick and dying,but they don't go around boasting about it.It is appalling that Romney does.
@Maria,
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts.
For whatever my opinion is worth.
Yours is the voice of Reason.
Peace
Obama/Biden 2012
Why would you tea party want to elect Romney when he has been in office from child hood..what happen to short term...oh y'all do like long just when you have people who you want in office huh like rick perry from Texas..perry for life huh
"It’s that that gives me the confidence that our future will be so bright, because I’ve seen how Americans respond to challenge – and even to tragedy."
That is of course, you aren't one of the 47% that I demonized behind closed doors to my $50,000.00 a Plate Donors!
Just let me free you of the Burden of your Social Security and Medicare Insurance Trust Fund Dollars and I promise I will be there in your old age to spoon feed you the Dog Food I promised you. You can do that for sweet little ole me, can't you?
God says don't let the right arm tell what the left arm what it is doing ...Romney
Too bad this story did not come out months ago to display his "personal" side and that he could interact with "everyday" people. Scripted by his political strategists as a means of carrying the independent and middle income vote...Those who have the best relationships with Mitt are the ones with open checkbooks and agendas for him to follow if he reaches the white house.
yep
Jimmy ... To base ones final presidential decision on one debate is ludicrous. There are two rounds left and once the retirees in FL get a better idea of the "secretive" Romney financial plan and the impact on SS/medicare and medicaid, his ballon will have popped..
jimmy in philly
Yep, 27 Lies in 38 minutes is a Big win?
Tell that to Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and the Cookie Monster.
As far as I am concerned that debate just galvanized something America already knew. Mitt is still capable of Lying right to your face and then expect you to believe him as if something magical just happened.
Oh, I liked how he picked on the Old Guy Moderator too and threatened to fire him. If you don't think America didn't pick up on that then you underestimate the intelligence of the American People.
So what Obama may have been in a fog that day thinking about his anniversary with his wife, but Mitts Behavior is nothing to be proud of.
He ain't the President yet so he should shut his Pie Hole before he threatens the Old Moderator guy again.
Romney is even more of a Scumbag in my book after this shameful in your face performance to all of America on National T.V.!
He didn't win that debate, he just reinforced to America what a true Scumbag he is!
Well well Willard wants to show a softer side of himself in Florida. Hope he does not use his head because we all know its full of rocks. Then there's the other oh ok that might work. Then again maybe this is why he feels the need to have us go to war with Iran so he can flex his muscle as our kids all get killed. Of cource if Ryan has anything to do with the softer side of Willard it would come closer to explaining why he picked a young running around with mate for VP purposes. Either way your both so bain your both so vague. See you at the debates thursday Lying Ryan you best have them Cheat notes ready like ole Mittens did, Ps don't forget your hanky!!! you may need it after Daddy Joe spanks your baby a** for you little boy!! Wee Wee Wee all the way home!!! the little swine Ryan will go.
fascism in the name of God ..will get moving if Romney gets elected.like with Bush..but the recession stop it
Bali: Ty,I like your comments as well.
OBAMA/BIDEN All the way !!
@Maria,
"We shall overcome"... AGAIN!
Kinda sad that we have to go through this all over again, though....
the mark of the beast..will happen with the Evangelicals ..these are the radicals God talks about in the bible..there name tea party
LOL "Great days ahead" ya right. More of failed trickle-down ahead if Mr. Romney wins. The statement applies to the group Mr. Romney is working for the 1% not the rest of us. Have a good evening.
1%, come on...could of sworn it was 2%.
the mark of the beast..will happen with the Evangelicals ..these are the radicals God talks about in the bible..there name tea party
Jimmy lives with Mitt, Rush, and Bill O'Reilly on Bull@!$%# Mountain...
Jimmy: I was born and raised in Ohio,us Buckeye's are not that stupid.Obama will win in Ohio,Romney can have all the other swing states-Thing is he still loses.He HAS to take all five remaining swing states to win,Obama only needs one.
jimmy in philly
Yep, 27 Lies in 38 minutes is a Big win?
Tell that to Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and the Cookie Monster.
As far as I am concerned that debate just galvanized something America already knew. Mitt is still capable of Lying right to your face and then expect you to believe him as if something magical just happened.
Oh, I liked how he picked on the Old Guy Moderator too and threatened to fire him. If you don't think America didn't pick up on that then you underestimate the intelligence of the American People.
So what Obama may have been in a fog that day thinking about his anniversary with his wife, but Mitts Behavior is nothing to be proud of.
He ain't the President yet so he should shut his Pie Hole before he threatens the Old Moderator guy again.
Romney is even more of a Scumbag in my book after this shameful in your face performance to all of America on National T.V.!
He didn't win that debate, he just reinforced to America what a true Scumbag he is!
The votes are in Florida. The money is in China. Mitt had a fundraiser in Hong Kong in September. That's where you will find his real supporters. What's the expression "Follow the money."
The tea party want Church and state holding hands...remember the women law people..they stop because they don't have enough crazy Evangelicals in office yet
I've been studying Mitt. He's obviously a spoiled brat, that gets angry when he doesn't get his way. I strongly encourage everyone to pull up Netflix. Watch the British documentary, "A World Without US". Maybe that will give you a clue, of how scary it would be to have ole spoiled Mitt in the captains chair.
jobs numbers down..polls are the same funny huh
@jim,
You are sick. Get some help.
jimmy in philly
Yep, 27 Lies in 38 minutes is a Big win?
Tell that to Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and the Cookie Monster.
As far as I am concerned that debate just galvanized something America already knew. Mitt is still capable of Lying right to your face and then expect you to believe him as if something magical just happened.
Oh, I liked how he picked on the Old Guy Moderator too and threatened to fire him. If you don't think America didn't pick up on that then you underestimate the intelligence of the American People.
So what Obama may have been in a fog that day thinking about his anniversary with his wife, but Mitts Behavior is nothing to be proud of.
He ain't the President yet so he should shut his Pie Hole before he threatens the Old Moderator guy again.
Romney is even more of a Scumbag in my book after this shameful in your face performance to all of America on National T.V.!
He didn't win that debate, he just reinforced to America what a true Scumbag he is!
the tea party want the voter law in place so they can get to there agenda..Church and state..more tea party evangelicals in office.. more power and change will take place