Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Ann Romney waves with her son Matt Romney and his wife, from left, Laurie Romney, son Nick Romney, 12, and daughters Mia, 8, and Chloe, 12, at a campaign rally inside the Henderson Convention Center on Monday, October 1, 2012.
By Tovin Lapan (contact) 
Published Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 | 4:15 p.m.
Updated Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 | 6:09 p.m.
Ann Romney stumps for Mitt
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
Ann Romney stumps for her husband and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Las Vegas on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.
Would-be first lady Ann Romney made her second speech in less than a week in Nevada, urging voters to change the course for America by electing her husband, Mitt, as the country’s next president.
In a 12-minute speech Monday afternoon before a pompom-waving audience estimated at 1,000 people at the Henderson Convention Center, Mrs. Romney cited continuing drags on the economy — Nevada’s unemployment rate and the continuing housing crisis — in asking voters to turn their thumbs down on President Barack Obama and his record after nearly four years in the Oval Office.
“If it’s that kind of record, I think it’s time to fire the coach,” Mrs. Romney said.
Standing in front of a “Women for Mitt” sign, Mrs. Romney shared stories of her husband’s compassion and character while selling him as the right man for a “turnaround.”
“He is prepared, he is compassionate and he is competent, and that is what you need to know before you go and vote,” she said.
Mrs. Romney has been sharing more personal stories of the former governor of Massachusetts, relaying anecdotes designed to demonstrate her huband’s character, rather than attempting to convey policy points.
Obama continues to enjoy a sizable lead over Romney on the question of who is the “more friendly and likable person.” In a Washington Post-ABC News poll released Monday, 62 percent of voters named Obama while 29 percent chose Romney.
Pam Finlayson, a family friend of Romney’s, told the crowd the story of her prematurely born daughter and how supportive the Romney family was. Finlayson said Mitt Romney visited their daughter in the hospital and made Thanksgiving dinner for them one year. Finlayson also spoke at the Republican National Convention.
Mrs. Romney also shared the story of Mitt Romney helping a boy who was suffering from leukemia to write his will.
Obama won Nevada by 12.5 percentage points in 2008, but Nevada polls show Romney and the president running much closer.
The president is staying in Lake Las Vegas for three days this week as he prepares for the first debate on Wednesday. In a press conference Monday Jen Psaki, Obama’s traveling press secretary, acknowledged Nevadans have seen the worst of the recession.
“Nevada has gone through a challenging time economically, more challenging than many other states in the country,” she said. “I think that’s probably hard for people in the state to swallow, that things haven’t moved more quickly and haven’t moved as quickly as they would like. You know they haven’t moved as quickly as the president would’ve liked either.”
Psaki said Obama continued to propose new ways to help underwater homeowners and he is “bullishly committed” to doing more.
Mrs. Romney also serves as the campaign’s ambassador to female voters, a voting bloc Republicans have had some difficulty winning over this election cycle. Polls show Obama leads among women in Nevada by as much as nine points. Nationally, the Washington Post-ABC News poll showed Obama leading Romney by 18 points on women’s issues.
One of Mitt and Ann’s five sons, Matt Romney, introduced his mother.
“My father is doing this because he loves America, he wants to serve and he wants to give back,” Matt Romney said. “And he knows at this point in history, with our country needing a turn around, he’s the man to do it.”
Australian singer Jamie O'Neal warmed up the audience before Mrs. Romney's appearance. U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, who is running for re-election against Democratic challenger John Oceguera, served as the master of ceremonies, introducing speakers including Becky Harris, candidate for State Assembly District 21, and Paul Anderson, candidate for State Assembly District 13.
Earlier in the day Mrs. Romney visited Henderson’s C.T. Sewell Elementary School with Matt Romney and his family.
Mrs. Romney read Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" to 25 kindergarten students during the visit.
Mrs. Romney’s appearance came less than a week after a campaign rally in Reno and a day after Obama rallied an estimated 11,200 supporters at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas. Romney and Obama both are seeking the six Electoral College votes from Nevada, which is seen as a swing state and a key to victory in November.
Mrs. Romney is a class act. The media has set up Obama as a likeable personable person. That is all a big phony act. He has no idea how bad it is out there. No jobs and a recession in the making. Ask anyone out there who is actively looking for a job how the job market is. Not so good. Why should I give Obama four more years. He had his chance but did nothing except blame George Bush and maybe George Washington. Action speaks louder than words and Obama let me down. I will not vote for him in November.
Im surprised she would come to see the serfs. Oh Yea, she wants something from them...
and yet our GOP Gov gets a free pass ( has anyone seen him by the way?) with promises of whisper campaigns to bring new businesses to Nevada. same ole same ole but hey hey, least no torrid affair scandal.
"He is prepared, he is compassionate and he is competent, and that is what you need to know before you go and vote," she said.
No, Mrs. Romney, that is not what we need to know! And you are not the determiner of what we need to know. We don't have a monarchy yet, and I hope we don't become the subjects of a Romney monarchy.
We need more specifics as to what Mr. Romney will do with tax increases, the removal of deduction, and cuts in programs.
We need more specifics on how he plans to create jobs.
We need to hear him tell the truth for a change.
Not all we "serfs", per notacon, are ignorant of facts and reality, nor devoid of our senses.
Ann Romney is consumed with hate. These people only want to divide us. Ann Romney could never be a first lady. She is ugly to the core.
Stop sreading hate Romneys.
America is stronger together. Omama 2012!
Nick is blind as a bat. This gorgeous blonde American mom would be a perfect first lady. As a young women she was smart enough to chose a total winner of a husband who has brought her and her children all our great country will provide smart hardworking people.
Good looking pictures. But they do not tell the truth about how Mitt Romney has campaigned for the highest office in the land. Romney has used Lies, Distortions, and misleading statements to confuse the voters.
The campaign by Mitt Romney and his supporters, backed by the Republican Party is a fraud placed on the America People.
Mrs. Romney you do not care about Nevadans, please go home.
"I know what it means to struggle; I was recently seen on television wearing a $1000 t shirt...talk about EMBARRASSING! I'm not usually such a spendthrift, but Mitt asked me to 'tone it down a notch' until after the campaign; UGH! I need a shopping trip; Paris, Milan, Rodeo Drive, New York City!
Well, I suppose I know how Cindy McCain felt...Trapped in a failing Presidential campaign, and not even able to shop-as-therapy! So yes, I DO know what it means to struggle;
life can be so UNFAIR!"
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/05/...
Oblamer told the country not to spend their money here. Yeah he really cares about Nevada..
Who cares?
Oh yeah, I'd love to hear how prepared Mittens is to get massacred in the debate. It's going to be a fun one! I still can't fathom how middle class, working Americans haven't a clue how disconnected the Romneys/GOP are from them. It's sad most of my fellow countrymen and women have the IQ of a cardboard box. I mean, try to possess a modicum of rationale. Go back to one of your many mansions, Ann.
Mitt and Ann Romney have no morals.
How many homes do the Romney's own?
Too many.
If Romney cares, why does he want to steal our
health care?
If Romney cares, why does he want to kill
Medicare?
If Romney cares, why does he want to steal
women's PLANNED PARENTHOOD?
ROMNEY DOESN'T CARE!
NEVER BELIEVE THESE GREEDY REPUBLICANS!
wow what a campaigner
Mitts character references at the RNC were pretty good. I liked when he shut down the office so everyone could search for an employees missing daughter in NYC.
At the DNC Biden was Obumma's character reference. The guy who gives 0.032% of his income to charity. And didn't have any examples of character other than dope-smoking with the chooms.
Wow a thousand people including family, employees of the Romneys and security. Some rally.
@Wizard of Oz
Another nonsensical post. I bet you are a real hit at dinner parties and large gatherings; you probably drone on and on and on just to hear yourself talk. Please give me your address so I can send you a "My Deepest Sympathy" floral arrangement on November 7.
<<"He is prepared, he is compassionate and he is competent, and that is what you need to know before you go and vote," she said>>
And people need to know THIS before they go and vote:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/02...
You're correct peacelily we do need Obama to tell the truth for once. If you want a link, just look into the Libya incedent for your answers. I still can't beleive you Dems think that it was about a stupid movie. Guess I gave you all more credit for having brains than that. Won't make that mistake again.
@Juice702
Unfortunately, you're insulting a cardboard box.