Romney puts faith, family in pitch to U.S. voters

With the Republican NationalConvention and thebiggest speech of his life behind him,Mitt Romneynow facesthe most important two-month stretchin his bid for the presidency.

Romneys acceptance speech Thursday night in Tampa, Fla.,offeredAmericans who had somehow managed to avoid the summers bitter presidentialcampaignto get a good look at the man Republicans are offering as analternative to President Barack Obama in November's election.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, one of the party's rising stars, delivered a strong introduction for Romney, setting the stagefor the former Massachusetts governor and wealthy businessman who made history by becoming the first Mormon presidential nominee in U.S. history. He failed in his first attempt in 2008.

But did Romney do well enough? And did the convention, which cost the party untold millions of dollars but was onlycarried by the mainstream television networks for an hour on each of its three nights, give him a bounce in the polls in his neck-and-neck racewith Obama?

Those questions will bepolled and spun by both sidesuntil Obama and the Democrats put on their own show next week in Charlotte, N.C., and later when the two candidatesface off under the television lights in the firstpresidential debate.

• Eastwood's bizarre speech ignites Twitterverse

While Romney was never expected to match the current presidents powers of oration, Romney delivered a focused message to voters disenchanted with Obamas four years in office, saying now was the time "to restore Americas promise."

Blasting Obamas economic and foreign policy decisions, Romney promised to improve the countrys economy, add 12 millionjobs, strengthen the military and take a tougher stance internationally against Iran, Russia and China. After Obamas election, Romney said, the president promised "to slow the rise of the oceans" and "to heal the planet."

"My promise," the Republican candidate told the crowd and primetime audiences watching at home, "is to help you and your family."

Romney also tried to address his ever-reluctant base he could lead them as a conservative, with promises to protect the sanctity of life, honour the institution of marriage and guarantee freedom of religion.

Personal voices from faith

The subject of Romneys Mormon faith,rarely approachedduring his primary campaign, was front and centre during Thursday nights convention events in a bid to inject more warmth and humanity into Romneys stiff public persona. Polls consistently show that while Romneys business experience is highly valued, the Republican candidate is perceived by voters as less likeable and compassionate than Obama.

At one point, Romney's voice cracked with emotion as he recalled how his late father, George Romney,would buy a rose for his wife every day until the day he died.

But Romneys best help in showing American voters his softer side camein testaments from two families he counselled as a Mormon lay pastor as their children were stricken by life-threatening illnesses andthen succumbed to them.

Pam Finlayson, whose daughter Kate suffered a brain hemorrhage three days after her birth, told the crowd Romney would visit and pray with them during the "many months" she was in hospital.

"His eyes filled with tears and he reached down tenderly and stroked her tiny back," said Finlayson, whose daughter died 18 months ago after "26 years of both miracles and struggle."

"When I see Mitt, I know him to be a loving father, man of faith and caring and compassionate friend."

Bain record defended

Several speeches and videos heaped praise Thursday night on Romneys business background and the job-creation record of his private equity firm Bain Capital, designed as pushback against Democratic accusations Romney got rich by plundering vulnerable businesses at the expense of workers.

The final night of the convention can be viewed as a success for Republicans in that it happened at all. Organizershad considered cancelling speeches when Tropical Storm Isaac threatenedTampa before veeringtowardLouisiana.

The convention was not without problems, including several angry protests from supporters of rival candidate Ron Paul over alleged rule-bending and delegate-tampering by the Romney camp, which culminated in a walkout Wednesday by the entire Maine delegation.

WhilePaul's positions hardly jibed with traditionalRepublican supporters, Rachel Bolch Thach, 26, from San Antonio, was one of many of the Texas congressmans supporters vowing there was "no way" she would vote for Romney after the way Pauls delegates were treated at the convention.

Bloch Thach told CBCNews.ca that Romneys campaign and the Republican party "blew a great opportunity to diversify the partys base with youth and energy."

"We just all feel very alienated right now," she said.

Despite the challenges at the convention, Tim Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota, insisted the convention delivered a clear message for voters.

"Mitt Romney will not only identify that Barack Obama broke his promises and failed the country,but that Mitt Romney has a better plan and a better vision forward," Pawlenty, who dropped his bid for the Republican presidential nomination early on in the race to support Romney, told CBCNews.ca Thursday evening.

"Its actually not just talk, hes done it in the private sector and when he was governor in Massachusetts."

Nancy Wall, who brought her two teenaged daughters to hear Thursday's acceptance speech, left reaffirmed by what she heard from Romney's personal story.

"When he was talking about families, thats the core of our nation," Wall told CBCNews.ca. "We need to strengthen our families. I think hell make a great president."