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Subscribe to RSSIn Mississippi, he declared his growing love for “cheesy grits,” and the undeniable utility of the contraction “y'all.” In Michigan, he famously observed that the trees were “the right height.” And in state after state on his nearly two year quest for the White House, Mitt Romney told audience after audience how lucky they were “to live in a place like this.”
In a late October rally at Colorado’s stunning Red Rocks amphitheater, Romney reflected aloud on the beauty of the scene.
“This is a magnificent place for a guy born in Detroit to come here and look at these extraordinary mountains -- you look at the handiwork of our creator, and it’s just, it’s just overwhelming,” Romney said.
Tonight, Romney’s journey will end -- in one way or another. And with it will also end the education of a candidate, of his staff and of a press corps about a theme Romney so often strikes on the campaign trail: the greatness of America.
“When I was a boy, my parents took me around to the national parks, including the Grand Canyon, to see the beauty of America,” Romney told a crowd of supporters in Arizona in February. “I fell in love with the land. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with the people.”
Romney’s closing argument, too, is wrapped and layered in patriotism, including an appeal to supporters to vote today “for love of country.”
And while reporters may not have joined Romney’s warbling rendition of “America the Beautiful” on a January night in Florida, many of us, too, are having a similarly revealing experience as we crisscross America.
In my own 16 months of following the Romney campaign, I’ve filed stories from 36 states; a stage in Puerto Rico overlooking the Caribbean Sea; and from three foreign countries. I’ve swam in the Pacific Ocean near La Jolla, skied in the mountains of Utah, and floated on a pontoon boat in New Hampshire’s Lake Winnepesaukee.
Some memories stay with you more than others.
On his final night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Romney attended a political rally disguised as a rave. For three hours, politicians took the stage and chanted, shouted, and exhorted an audience of sign-waving supporters.
To do what? I have no idea. Almost every word of it was in Spanish, and the Romney press corps, on a stage that looked out over the scene and the sea, sat mostly bemused until Romney took the stage.
"Politics in Puerto Rico is spoken with energy and passion,” Romney said. “Thank you."
Ann Romney might have said it better: "You show us how to party," she laughed into the microphone.
On the final stop of his “Every Town Counts” bus tour in Holland, Mich., Romney rallied a crowd of supporters along the shores of Lake Michigan, diverting into tangents often to sing the praises of his home state as the sun set into the waves. As he finished his remarks he took his wife Ann by the hand and the two walked down to touch the lake.
After three days on busses, in filing centers and often cheap hotels, I kicked off my shoes and let my toes feel the sand as I shot video of the couple. At the water’s edge I rolled up my jeans and waded in to my ankles.
In New Hampshire on the Fourth of July, the sense of patriotism was inescapable as Romney, tailed by classic cars, and flanked by family members, walked down Main Street in Wolfeboro, shaking hands and wiping away sweat as he greeted cheering crowds.
I was the pool reporter for the television networks on that day, and as the parade neared its conclusion, I leapt down from the flatbed truck that had hauled our crew through town in time to see Romney approach a lemonade stand and guzzle a glass. Somehow standing feet apart, all I could think to ask him in that moment was how he enjoyed the drink?
“Lemon. Wet. Good.” Romney grunted back before plunging into the flag-waving crowd to shake more hands.
On Twitter, the moment became something of a running joke, but on the street that day it was a classic snapshot of a pure campaign moment -- a man who rarely seems to truly enjoy the act of campaigning, invigorated by the heat of the day, and the passion of those lining the streets, if not directed entirely towards him, than at least towards the country that Romney genuinely loves.
One reporter on the Romney press corps called this experience “the most patriotic year of our lives.” We stand for the Pledge of Allegiance three or four times daily, and have listened to some of the most moving renditions of the Star Spangled Banner that I have ever heard, including one sung by a girl in Ohio who couldn’t have been older than 10 that has stuck with me for months.
(However, I won’t speak of Meatloaf’s troubling rendition of God Bless America.)
On Monday, Romney himself made the call to extend his tour of America by one more day, adding two last minute stops in battleground states -- rather than sitting at home in Boston to await election results.
Tuesday morning, Romney called into a radio station in Virginia to explain his decision.
“I can’t imagine an election being won or lost by, let’s say, a few hundred votes and you spent your day sitting around,” Romney said. “You’d say to yourself: Holy cow, why didn’t I keep working? So I’m going to make sure I never have to look back with anything other than the greatest degree of satisfaction in this whole campaign.”
And why not fly back out into the heart of the country again to seek that satisfaction?
This is America, the greatest country on earth.
Garrett Haake has been the embed reporter covering Romney's campaign over the past year and half for NBC News.
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What is with you guys and the cheesy headlines today?
Ryan Hitting the Road, Romney's Excellent Adventure?
Got something in the hopper for Obama today?
Feeling a bit slap-happy?
BTW, Garett - Slappy headline aside, that was the best article I have ever read here at First Read.
If you make it back to the West side of Michigan, and are a golfer try Arcadia Bluffs on Lake Michigan.
Absolutely beautiful, but bring a lot of balls.
If you are gonna be slap-happy, might as well have fun with it. I think MSNBC should lead off the 7:00 hour like this:
"It's 7:00 on the east coast and polls are closing in several states. MSNBC is ready to make some projections. In the state of Florida, MSNBC projects that Roseanne Barr is the winner of that state's 29 electoral votes."
Garrett has been hitting the bars since 3 a.m., give him a break.
Frank, wouldn't that be great, to see everyone's jaw drop!!
For all of you Reich Wing Knuckle Dragging Fascist Neo Con American Taliban
Here comes the Whaaaaambulance, Here comes the Whaaaaaambulance, right down TeaTurd Lane
Obama/Biden 2012 Hillary/Warren 2016 Time to take the TeaTurds to the Trash
is this the working title for another "Bill & Ted's" sequel?
So this is what the media considers covering a campaign,. Sounds more like a very long vacation with Mom and Dad. Don't suppose you got a chance to ask the candidate his views on global warming? Nah, why inject substance into a campaign when what people really want to hear is how gosh golly gee nice of a one percenter Romney is.
Amy, Global Warming is a Hoax.
Give it a rest.
When, exactly did you want to have that discussion with me regarding the Sciences and Thoretical Math by the way?
No, WCA, it is not, but don't let me stand in your way of being the ignorant one. A hoax? Oh, man, you really are lost.
*gasp*
GAWD forbid!
Not to mention they so-called intrepid reporters gave Willard & Lyin/Ryan a pass on NOT talked to the MSM for the last 3 weeks!
Well AG based on most of your comments here, I'll take that as validation of mine.
Great post a vote for Obama is a vote for planet Earth. Even my gov has been blown off the lies that it is a hoax.
$ more 4 44 and our mother Earth
[Well AG based on most of your comments here, I'll take that as validation of mine.]
By his comments, seems Cap't. Cupholder is a bit nervous...now he's deflecting to Sciences and Theoretical Math? Good Lord...
Excellent Adventure? Looks like someone has taste in 80's cinema. Long live Bill and Ted!
Ah shoot, it's starting to look like this thing will get called before I even get home tonight.
Starting to look a lot like the WALKER RECALL.
Don't know if you all are getting this - turnout is through the roof. Except with the dems.
And oh no the early voting totals are to Mitt's favor.
Sweet. Totally expected, but sweet.
Hey WCA - I know you saw all those $100k fiskers explode after getting wet in New Jersey the other day.
What a great car. You just can't take it outside.
I also know you saw GM looking to shore up $33 billion in additional financing.
Yikes.
Hey Spanky, those Fiskers blew up because a VCU (Vehicle Control Unit)shorted out due to the Salt Water. One caught fire and the rest just Blowed up.
Someone forgot to do their Salt Spray test, I guess.
Not since the days of the Pinto, Man.
Word here is if GM gets the $33 Billion they will buy back their shares from the Gubmnet.
They had to wait until after the election cuz it won't look good when we get stuck with over a $20 Billion loss on Our shares.
Would someone please pull the batteries out of Romney Robot.
.
Well...yesterday's was filled with the president hanging with a rapper singing a rendition of a song about violence to women that's also filled with vulgarities, so?
Oh, God, I really, really need a barf bag. Please! FR, for all that is sacred, could we please not reminisce with the Romney clan? I think we have all had our fill of his moronic outbursts of love of country. Can you say Robotic?!
have some respect for the President Elect AG! ;-)
sirie, she can't have respect for anyone other than one of her left-wing progressive types. Anything with a sense of reason is beyond the liberal mind set.
Sorry you did not hear all the negatives, dividing people into sub groups & pandering Obama has spoon fed you. Won't it be great to be a proud American again with a growing America with Romney as president.
President Obama didn't divide people into subgroups, he is President of all the people. It's not Obama's fault Romney won his primary by demonizing Latinos. Pretty hard to "tack back to the middle" when you have competed with your primary opponents to see who could be "tougher" on immigrants.
Outbursts of love of country are moronic? Whats moronic is you will never hear Obama talk of love of country. Or Michelle for that matter. Anyone see the you tube video of Michelle saying "all this for a damn flag" with Barrack nodding in aprovement? Not sure when it was taken so it might of been before Michelle became proud of her country for the first time.
Nope Amy dear, he is President Revenge.
Nothing says unification than extolling your supporters to vote for revenge.
SO gang, what are we seeing? R+2 turnouts?
Man, that sure makes all them polls silly.
Rocco, you are such a........ I won't say it. There is no proof whatsoever that she is saying what all you tea bangers are claiming. I have watched the video many times and she is not saying that, not sure what she is saying but she clearly is not saying that. Get a life, loser.
Blatina's days are numbered on FR. I'm so tired of fighting an up hill battle with the wacko Liberals on this site that I can't wait until is over. FR, I don't know what your audience will be like but I'm sure that your readers will be alot less than now. As for the poor souls that have noting else to do, well that is life.
It has been an awakening experience. Please take a good look at yourselfs.
Concerned Citizen,
It's very simple how the libs will react on FR if their King is defeated.
Nothing but continued hate towards the new president and all conservatives, both Republican and Democrat.
You only have to review the nags on FR to see who will be the leaders of this movement.
funnygirl, the psychologits would call your comment an example of projection. Just because your party made making Obama a one term President it's highest priority, during the recession, instead of reforming Wall Street or creating jobs, doesn't mean Democrats won't find a constructive way to spend the next four years, should Obama be defeated.
Myself, I would focus on local issues, and helping my state become the leader in alternative energy technology. Maine leads the way by electing Independent Senator and enviromental champion, Angus King!
Can't we all just get along?
1funnygirl(who isn't) you mean as opposed to you - the leading nag and hag of the radical right?
Obama/Biden 2012
Seeking Sanity, Talk about nags - look into intothe mirror old girl. Your comments are just as old and stale as you must be.
@Amy, projection? Now that's a good one. If obama loses the election, it will not be because of a group of legislators wanting to make him a one term president. You can reflect back on his administration to see just how ineffective he has been.
Other than his ObamaCare photo op how many times has it been reported he met with opposition leaders to mediate a compromise? It's alway been the aloof one's way or the highway. Even people from the Dem Party state he's aloof from them too.
It's all about Barack, not immigration or the American people. FACT!
I am Paul D. Ryan, Esquire!
And I am Mitt "Mittens" Romney!
And together, we are...Wyld Stallyns!
Now Mitt can back to the Mormom planet Kalob are were ever they get the magic from.
<sarcasm>Thoughtful comment!</sarcasm> Your grammar is as accurate as your perceptions of Mormonism.
Excellent for whom? Sandy Alderson, who gambled and lost $50mil? For The Kochs (even more)? For the Mormon Church who got to see the spectacle of one of their own Bishops lie voraciously and often? Excellent for the teabaggers that never, never wanted this as their guy and are about to pounce on him as the reason they lost?
Well, based on the early state to state projections, it looks like Romney's ascent has turned direction. He appears to be behind in all, or almost all the crucial states. Maybe it's because his 5 points were never explained as to how it will help the middle class. How much longer do you expect the public to buy he so called trickle-down economy, when they know that those at the top believe they deserve all they get and won't trickle anything down. These are the folks who were born on third base, and think they hit a triple. I don't know how people take personal pride in being lucky enough to be born to wealth. Go, Barack.
"Romulian Romney" is from the planet of Romulus, and has no clue of what humans do. This very ethically confused Romulian has not earned his own paycheck. Now he has stolen/speculated the hard earned paychecks of others. The GOP/RNC "Speculator and Chief" when spewing in one of his quietrooms made it clear. That 47% of Americans a not responsible for themselves, and that they want a hand out all the time. The GOP?RNC "Intervert and Chief" likes 'change.' He likes 'change' that is of gold and silver. He likes 'change' that he can steal from the American People. He loves shiny 'change' that he can hide in his Offshore Accounts. The IRS needs to start Auditing his past taxes. Oh yes! They are starting already! The "Outsourcer and Chief" loves to 'harvest' jobs to China, and then he loves to then rob the American People. Hey America! Go to Bainport.com to learn what happened to our fellow citizens in Freeport Illinois. The "Outsourcer and Chief" then stole the Workers Pensions at Delphi. Then the GOP Speculator/harvestor ripped off the American People, and made a financial killing in the Auto Bailout. He has his "Blood Money" well hidden America. The GOP/RNC "Intervert" likes to hide in one of his many quietrooms/elevators. He claims that he loves all women. Really? The GOP/RNC "Intervert" is very confused in this area. He wants to destroy Planned Parenthood, make all birth control illegal, pass a Personhood Admendment, and he has no clue how the female body works. WOW! This GOP "Intervert" never passed a Human Sexuality Class or a Biology Class for that matter. One thinks that his wife "Queen Ann" may have some questions about her husbands lack of performance. Now this GOP Tea Begger is just scary! Get out and vote America! Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party of NO has got to go! The GOP/RNC "House Of Hoodlum's" needs to be voted out tonight!
Skiing, Puerto Rican raves...sounds like a good gig. And to think, you never had to bother to ask the candidate any questions, because he wasn't answering any, anyway.
Having fun at the DDI? Planning strategy for talking points when Barry looses today?
Will Jen Rene return to GSG?
Will the real estate market improve for the nasty snarky one when Romney moves the economy forward?
Hamilton County Ohio with outstanding results of Republicans vs Dems at the polls.
"Paul Ryan & Honey Boo Boo 2016" The new and improved Republican comeback team.
Romney is so full of it I can't wait to not hear his lies anymore. Romney cares nothing about the U.S., it's people, or where we want to go. Romney cares about Romney.
I think we should all thank Adelson, the Koch brothers (John Birchers), and so many ceos, financial donators, etc. for flushing money out of their accounts, into the campaign machine, out into the myriad small businesses and workers and aiding the economy. See what true patriots they are, when there were so many who thought they were just self serving 1%'ers.
Mitt Romney gave a very good speech. That Romney; I could have voted for, he was really sincere when he said it is over, lets get behind the president. I, think Romney Just got involved with the wrong party, because I think he is really a right down the center moderate. He just wasn't very convincing as a far right candidate. I believe he really want the congress to cooperate to get the country on the right track. Good for Romney and I wish him the best.
Romney's point of view is whatever he thinks the audience in front of him needs to believe to increase his chance of winning. He's a modern day snake oil salesman. I'm proud that this country is smarter than to fall for his act.