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Mitt Romney vows to restore America's promise Mitt Romney vows to restore America's promise
(30 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. The former Massachusetts governor accused President Barack Obama of failing to deliver on his soaring promises of hope and change.
Clint Eastwood meanwhile caused a stir, delivering rambling remarks to an empty chair he said represented Barack Obama. Clint Eastwood meanwhile caused a stir, with rambling remarks to an empty chair he said represented Mr Obama.
Mr Romney will challenge the Democratic president in November's election.Mr Romney will challenge the Democratic president in November's election.
Glowing tributes The speech was the climax of the three-day Republican convention, which correspondents saw as an attempt to show the human side of a candidate who is sometimes accused of being opaque and distant.
"I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed," the former Massachusetts governor said. Family guy
"But his promises gave way to disappointment and division. This isn't something we have to accept." Mr Romney began the most important speech of his political career by accepting the nomination that he was overwhelmingly awarded on Tuesday by thousands of delegates at the gala in Tampa.
The presidential nominee recounted details of his Mormon upbringing, with details about his family life and his parents' loving marriage. It secured him the position that eluded him in his first presidential bid in 2008, when Arizona Senator John McCain became the Republican nominee.
"I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed," Mr Romney said, in a speech that was watched by millions across the US.
The 65-year-old presidential nominee recounted details of his Mormon upbringing, with anecdotes 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. He also 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.
He also pledged to make the US energy independent by 2020, cut the national deficit and negotiate new trade agreements.
"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 accused the president of having "thrown allies like Israel under the bus", 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. "Under my administration, our friends will see more loyalty and Mr Putin will see a little less flexibility and more backbone," Mr Romney said.
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 brought the crowd to its feet when he pledged to repeal Mr Obama's signature healthcare bill.
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. The event ended 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. Attendees in tears
Referring to the president, Clint Eastwood told a rapturous audience: "When somebody does not do the job, you've got to let 'em go." Appearing on stage earlier 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.
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. Referring to the president, the actor told a rapturous audience: "When somebody does not do the job, you've got to let 'em go."
Past business associates - Bain Capital colleague Bob White and Tom Stemberg, the president of stationery giant Staples - praised the candidate. Democrats have sought to depict Mr Romney as a wealthy, elitist, tax-dodging, corporate raider and policy chameleon. Low favourability ratings have dogged him throughout his campaign and he trails Mr Obama in likeability.
Mormon church congregants Ted and Pat Oparowski told the convention Mr Romney had befriended their dying son and helped him to write a will. To counter that image, the convention heard emotional testimonials about Mr Romney's work as a Mormon leader that left some attendees in tears.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio introduced the candidate, and a video about Mr Romney's life played just before he took to the stage. One couple talked of how Mr Romney had befriended and comforted their dying teenage son.
Attack ads A woman recalled how the Republican's "eyes filled with tears" when her premature baby daughter was close to death in hospital.
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. On Wednesday, Mr Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, pledged a "turnaround" for America, while attacking Mr Obama.
Earlier on Thursday, the Romney campaign href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zVYFK_a2sUM" >released a video hitting back at criticism about his time at Bain Capital. But fact-checkers said there were a number of inaccuracies in the Wisconsin congressman's address.
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. The job of softening Mr Romney's edges also fell to his wife, who brought down the house on Tuesday with a speech about their high-school romance.
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.
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.
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.