This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19431050

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Mitt Romney vows to restore America's promise Mitt Romney vows to restore America's promise
(35 minutes later)
Mitt Romney has pledged "to restore the promise of America" as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Florida.Mitt Romney has pledged "to restore the promise of America" as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Florida.
Mr Romney also discussed his stellar business record and Mormon faith in the prime-time address, the biggest speech of his career.Mr Romney also discussed his stellar business record and Mormon faith in the prime-time address, the biggest speech of his career.
Academy Award-winning actor Clint Eastwood appeared as a "mystery guest" speaker during the evening. Clint Eastwood meanwhile caused a stir, delivering rambling remarks to an empty chair he said represented Barack Obama.
Mr Romney will challenge President Barack Obama in November's election. Mr Romney will challenge the Democratic president in November's election.
Glowing tributesGlowing tributes
"I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed," the former Massachusetts governor said."I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed," the former Massachusetts governor said.
"But his promises gave way to disappointment and division. This isn't something we have to accept.""But his promises gave way to disappointment and division. This isn't something we have to accept."
The presidential nominee recounted details of his Mormon upbringing, with details about his family life and his parents' loving marriage.The presidential nominee recounted details of his Mormon upbringing, with details about his family life and his parents' loving marriage.
Mr Romney talked about his own experiences as a father, apparently becoming emotional as he talked about the times when he and his wife Ann would wake up to find "a pile of kids asleep in our room".Mr Romney talked about his own experiences as a father, apparently becoming emotional as he talked about the times when he and his wife Ann would wake up to find "a pile of kids asleep in our room".
But he levelled a barrage of attacks at President Obama: "The time has come to turn the page. Today the time has come for us to put the disappointments of the last four years behind us. To put aside the divisiveness and the recriminations.But he levelled a barrage of attacks at President Obama: "The time has come to turn the page. Today the time has come for us to put the disappointments of the last four years behind us. To put aside the divisiveness and the recriminations.
"Now is the time to restore the promise of America," he added."Now is the time to restore the promise of America," he added.
'No apology''No apology'
Mr Romney vowed to create 12 million American jobs over the next four years and turn around an economy saddled with an 8.3% unemployment rate.Mr Romney vowed to create 12 million American jobs over the next four years and turn around an economy saddled with an 8.3% unemployment rate.
"I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began his presidency with an apology tour," he said."I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began his presidency with an apology tour," he said.
He added that the president had not done enough to support Israel, while being too lenient with Iran.He added that the president had not done enough to support Israel, while being too lenient with Iran.
Mr Romney also brought the crowd to its feet when he pledged to repeal Mr Obama's signature healthcare bill.Mr Romney also brought the crowd to its feet when he pledged to repeal Mr Obama's signature healthcare bill.
He continued: "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. My promise... is to help you and your family."He continued: "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. My promise... is to help you and your family."
Thursday evening's festivities culminated with the entire Romney family - his wife, five sons and their wives and most of his 18 grandchildren - on stage with him as thousands of balloons were released over the convention floor.Thursday evening's festivities culminated with the entire Romney family - his wife, five sons and their wives and most of his 18 grandchildren - on stage with him as thousands of balloons were released over the convention floor.
Appearing on stage to pledge his support for Mr Romney, Hollywood star Eastwood raised eyebrows with an off-the-cuff monologue to an imaginary Mr Obama in an empty chair.
Referring to the president, Clint Eastwood told a rapturous audience: "When somebody does not do the job, you've got to let 'em go."
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Mr Romney's former rival presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, spoke ahead of the nominee's appearance on Thursday evening.Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Mr Romney's former rival presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, spoke ahead of the nominee's appearance on Thursday evening.
Past business associates - Bain Capital colleague Bob White and Tom Stemberg, the president of stationery giant Staples - praised the candidate.Past business associates - Bain Capital colleague Bob White and Tom Stemberg, the president of stationery giant Staples - praised the candidate.
Mormon church congregants Ted and Pat Oparowski told the convention Mr Romney had befriended their dying son and helped him to write a will.Mormon church congregants Ted and Pat Oparowski told the convention Mr Romney had befriended their dying son and helped him to write a will.
Referring to President Obama, Clint Eastwood told a rapturous audience: "When somebody does not do the job, you've got to let 'em go."
Florida Senator Marco Rubio introduced the candidate, and a video about Mr Romney's life played just before he took to the stage.Florida Senator Marco Rubio introduced the candidate, and a video about Mr Romney's life played just before he took to the stage.
Attack adsAttack ads
Democrats have attacked Mr Romney's record at private equity firm Bain Capital and raised questions about why the candidate has refused to release more than two years of tax returns.Democrats have attacked Mr Romney's record at private equity firm Bain Capital and raised questions about why the candidate has refused to release more than two years of tax returns.
Earlier on Thursday, the Romney campaign released a video hitting back at criticism about his time at Bain Capital.Earlier on Thursday, the Romney campaign released a video hitting back at criticism about his time at Bain Capital.
Analysts say Mr Romney had to use this speech to connect with voters. Low favourability ratings have dogged him throughout his campaign and he trails Mr Obama in likeability.Analysts say Mr Romney had to use this speech to connect with voters. Low favourability ratings have dogged him throughout his campaign and he trails Mr Obama in likeability.
In an email to donors on Thursday, Mr Romney said: "I commit to you that I will be the president this moment demands."In an email to donors on Thursday, Mr Romney said: "I commit to you that I will be the president this moment demands."
His speech capped three days of pageantry at the Republican convention, which started a day late because of a tropical storm.His speech capped three days of pageantry at the Republican convention, which started a day late because of a tropical storm.
This is Mr Romney's second run for the White House, after an unsuccessful bid in 2008.This is Mr Romney's second run for the White House, after an unsuccessful bid in 2008.
On Wednesday, his running mate, Paul Ryan, spoke of his family and childhood while also pledging a "turnaround" for America.On Wednesday, his running mate, Paul Ryan, spoke of his family and childhood while also pledging a "turnaround" for America.
But fact-checkers said there were a number of inaccuracies in Wisconsin congressman Ryan's speech.But fact-checkers said there were a number of inaccuracies in Wisconsin congressman Ryan's speech.
Mr Romney's wife, Ann, addressed the convention on Tuesday, making an appeal to female voters, a demographic with which the Republican candidate has had trouble connecting.Mr Romney's wife, Ann, addressed the convention on Tuesday, making an appeal to female voters, a demographic with which the Republican candidate has had trouble connecting.