Romney: 'Wishes Obama Had Succeeded'

By John Bacon, USA TODAY

TAMPA - Mitt Romney formally accepted the Republican nomination for president Thursday night, addressing a spirited and roaring crowd of party faithful with an address in which he wished "President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed."

But Obama's campaign promises from four years ago "gave way to disappointment and division," Romney said in an address at the Tampa Bay Times Forum that wrapped up the Republican National Convention.

"Hope and change had a powerful appeal. But tonight I'd ask a simple question: If you felt that excitement when you voted for Barack Obama, shouldn't you feel that way now that he's President Obama?"

Romney added, "You know there's something wrong with the kind of job he's done as president when the best feeling you had, was the day you voted for him."

After the address, and the last of 100,000 balloons had dropped from the ceiling, the GOP ticket of Romney and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, was cemented into place and primed for the final two-month charge for the presidency.

Ryan, 42, was the star of Wednesday's convention, also drawing big ovations and signaling the emergence of a younger, more conservative generation of party leaders.

Thursday was Romney's time to shine.

The evening was aimed at introducing the sometimes stiff and distant politician as a businessman, Olympic savior and religious family man. His pitch to his party and to undecided voters will be that he's the candidate better able to shoulder the country's economic burdens.

Romney, 65, is the married father of five with 18 grandchildren. He talked at length about his family and "unconditional love," appearing to choke up when he talked about how close his parents were. He also talked about communities and family values.

Romney also promised a five-step plan to create 12 million jobs. A first step, he said, will be to make North America energy independent by 2020.