Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan on stage with their wives during final session of the Republican convention, Tampa, Fla., Aug. 31, 2012.
U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney headed out on the campaign trail Friday, with a renewed attack on what he said were the failures of President Barack Obama in trying to boost the country's sluggish economy.
Hours after accepting his party's presidential nomination, Romney told a rally in Florida that despite Obama's promises of four years ago, the Democratic incumbent had failed to cut the country's budget deficit or create as many jobs and new businesses as he said he would.
"Almost every measure he described he has failed to perform upon. And the reason for that is not that he wasn't trying, in my view. It's he was pulling in the wrong direction. He didn't know what it takes to actually make the economy work," Romney said.
Romney later planned to visit the Gulf Coast state of Louisiana, where Hurricane Isaac left wide swaths of the state in murky floodwaters and killed five people. Obama is visiting the state on Monday, the day before Democrats start their national convention to officially nominate him for a second four-year term.
Romney - a one-time venture capitalist and former governor of Massachusetts - says he can boost the country's sluggish economy with lower taxes and less government regulation. Obama, who was to visit the key state of Texas Friday, says a Romney presidency would result in a return to policies that led to the country's worst economic downturn since the 1930s.
Nationwide voter surveys show the two candidates in a virtual tie 10 weeks ahead of the November 6 election.
Romney said that if elected president, he will use a five-step plan to improve the economy and create 12 million jobs. He also promised "less flexibility and more backbone" in global diplomacy, along with "more loyalty" to U.S. allies such as Israel.
The convention night included an appearance from film star Clint Eastwood, who received a roar from the crowd when he referred to politicians as "employees" of citizens who need to be let go when they do not "do the job."
The 2012 Republican National Convention
1/18A woman cries as she holds a candle and a flower outside former South African President Nelson Mandela's house in Houghton, Dec. 5, 2013a
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
2/18Посольство України, Вашингтон
"4-го грудня біля посольства України в США відбулася акція на підтримку Євромайдану у Києві за участю представників української громади Чикаго, Нью Йорку та Вашингтону. Українці Америки засудили дії влади по зриву підписання угоди з ЄС, криваві дії проти мирних демонстрантів на Майдані та висловилися щодо відставки президента Віктора Януковича і уряду на чолі з Миколою Азаровим".
"Учасники мітингу також звернулися з проханням до влади США вжити найжорсткіших санкцій до представників української влади", - повідомляє Люба Шипович.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
3/18Mitt Romney hugs his grandchildren after his speech, August 30, 2012.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
4/18Actor Clint Eastwood speaks to an empty chair on the final night of the convention, August 30, 2012.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
5/18The Republican National Convention main stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. (B. Allen/VOA)
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
6/18The Texas delegation reacts to speeches at the convention. (J. Featherly/VOA)
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
7/18Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the crowd, August 29, 2012. (J. Featherly/VOA)
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
8/18Ann Romney hugs her husband after she addressed delegates during the second session of the Republican National Convention, August 28, 2012.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
9/18Montana delegates on the floor of the convention. (J. Featherly/VOA)
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
10/18Dona Poelman from Racine, Wisconsin accessorizes her shirt at the RNC.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
11/18Delegates cheer as an image of Mitt Romney is displayed during the opening session, August 27, 2012.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
12/18Texas delegate Clint Moore and the rest of Texas delegates fashion their cowboy hats on the floor.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
13/18Men prepare food in a protest camp called "Romneyville" outside the convention center.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
14/18Protesters clash with police during a demonstration in support of EU integration in Kyiv, Dec. 3, 2013.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
15/18A woman poses on a downed barricade at the entrance to the government complex in Bangkok, Dec. 3, 2013. (Steve Herman/VOA)
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
16/18Convention goers pause in the prayer room.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
17/18A sudden, heavy rainstorm surprises protesters outside near the convention center.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
18/18A worker walks down the aisle to collect trash on the floor at the convention.
At their national convention in Tampa, Florida Republicans formally nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate for president.
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Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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