Mitt Romney's Speech (Video, Transcript)

After days of really fantastic speeches from the rising stars of the Republican party, it was Mitt Romney's turn to deliver - a tough assignment.

I think he succeeded.

What I saw was a decent man of integrity. He was sincere. This wasn't an act. I believe he sincerely wants to get America moving in the right direction again. He cares deeply about his family and all the families across our country.

I saw a man who understands the preciousness of our freedoms and the American Dream.

I did not see a detached, stiff empty suit. I saw him display humor and honest emotion and passion for his beliefs.

Romney didn't invent a persona to appeal to the American people.

I get the feeling there are no "composite" characters in his life story, no imaginary players to boost a concocted personal myth.

I can't stand hearing pundits say people still don't know Romney. Obviously, we don't know the real Obama. I'm not sure he has decided who the real Obama is. He's still "compressing" himself.

Romney is genuine.

And he wants to solve our country's problems, not make more.

Romney is definitely not like Obama.

His rhetoric was clear. It wasn't over-the-top, soaring, Obama-style BS. It was down-to-earth, where we live.

Even the setting of Romney's acceptance speech showed an important, dramatic difference between the two men.

In 2008, Obama chose to speak in an enormous stadium, on a stage with Greek columns.

It was a truly weird production, a movie set.

Romney stood at a simple podium. He wasn't elevated high above the people. He was close to his fellow Republicans in the convention hall. It was an effective, intimate approach.

Visually, Romney was connected to the people. He didn't portray himself as if he's posing for a statue in his honor to be placed in his monument to self.

I really liked what I saw and what I heard from Mitt Romney.



Here's the transcript of Romney's speech.

He had so many great lines that it's hard to pick the highlights.

I liked this one:

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.

I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began with an apology tour. America, he said, had dictated to other nations. No Mr. President, America has freed other nations from dictators.

That says so much about the difference between Romney and Obama, how they view themselves and the role of our nation in the world.

The concluding crescendo of Romney's speech was impressive.

The America we all know has been a story of the many becoming one, uniting to preserve liberty, uniting to build the greatest economy in the world, uniting to save the world from unspeakable darkness.

Everywhere I go in America, there are monuments that list those who have given their lives for America. There is no mention of their race, their party affiliation, or what they did for a living. They lived and died under a single flag, fighting for a single purpose. They pledged allegiance to the UNITED States of America.

That America, that united America, can unleash an economy that will put Americans back to work, that will once again lead the world with innovation and productivity, and that will restore every father and mother's confidence that their children's future is brighter even than the past.

That America, that united America, will preserve a military that is so strong, no nation would ever dare to test it.

That America, that united America, will uphold the constellation of rights that were endowed by our Creator, and codified in our Constitution.

That united America will care for the poor and the sick, will honor and respect the elderly, and will give a helping hand to those in need.

That America is the best within each of us. That America we want for our children.

If I am elected President of these United States, I will work with all my energy and soul to restore that America, to lift our eyes to a better future. That future is our destiny. That future is out there. It is waiting for us. Our children deserve it, our nation depends upon it, the peace and freedom of the world require it. And with your help we will deliver it. Let us begin that future together tonight.

Unlike Obama, Romney doesn't want to tear the country apart for his personal political gain and power.

Romney wants to fix what's broken in our country.

To do so, he is appealing to the best in each of us.

Excellent speech.