Romney accepts nomination, focuses on adding jobs - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Accepting his party's nomination to be president, Republican Mitt Romney says he wants to restore the nation's promise by creating jobs for millions of unemployed Americans.

He says Americans were hoping for great change when President Barack Obama came into office, but those hopes have given way to disappointment and division.

Romney says he has a goal of creating 12 million jobs and would do so by taking full advantage of the country's energy resources and by giving citizens skills they need for the jobs of today and of the future. He is also promising to cut the deficit and rein in the cost of health care.

Promises on abortion, gay marriage

As Mitt Romney spells out his differences with President Barack Obama, he's included the social issues that caused some religious conservatives to have doubts about him.

Romney, who once supported abortion rights, told the convention that as president, he will "protect the sanctity of life." He added that he will "honor the institution of marriage" and "guarantee" what he called "America's first liberty: the freedom of religion."

Romney opposes same-sex marriage and says it should be banned with a constitutional amendment, not left to the states.

The convention delegates responded with laughter when Romney told them that "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans." Romney said his own promise is "to help you and your family."

Romney: Obama's foreign policy has weakened U.S.

Mitt Romney is acknowledging that President Barack Obama gave the order that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden. But Romney described Obama's other defense and foreign policy moves as having weakened the nation and betrayed its allies.

In his convention speech, Romney said by failing to slow Iran's nuclear threat, Obama has made every American less secure.

He accused Obama of having "thrown allies like Israel under the bus." And he said Obama had "abandoned" Poland by "walking away from" U.S. commitments on missile defense.

Romney referred to an overheard conversation between Obama and Russia's Vladimir Putin, in which Obama suggested he'd have "more flexibility" on missile defense after the election.

Romney said if he's elected, Putin will see "a little less flexibility and more backbone."

Romney addresses Iran

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is praising President Barack Obama for giving the order to take out Osama bin Laden, but is also saying the country is less secure because the president has not slowed Iran's nuclear threat.

Sounding a hawkish tone, Romney told the GOP convention that Obama has said we should talk to Iran. And he said the talking continues, but Iran's nuclear program is moving ahead.

Romney also is accusing Obama of throwing allies like Israel under the bus even as he relaxed sanctions on Cuba. He said that Obama also abandoned Poland by walking away from commitments on a missile defense system. He said that allies of the United States would see more loyalty from him as president.

Romneys celebrate

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his family celebrated amid a cascade of red, white and blue balloons dropping onto the stage as the party's convention closed.

Romney, flanked by his wife Ann, hugged family members as his sons and grandchildren swarmed across the stage. He was joined by vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, his wife, Janna, and children. Romney flashed a thumbs-up to friends in the crowd after his acceptance speech formally accepting his party's nomination.

The convention sets the stage for what is expected to be a bruising fall contest against President Barack Obama that polls show is a tight race.

Olympians back Romney

Some of America's former Olympians are making the case for Mitt Romney to become the nation's next president by praising his leadership qualities and citing his work to make the 2002 Winter Olympics a success.

Kim Rhode, who has competed in the last five Olympics as a member of the skeet shooting team, says she supported Romney because she believes the country is off-target.

Speed skater Derek Parra says his dream of participating in the Olympics was almost derailed because the 2002 games were mired in scandal and deficit. He said it was a time of uncertainty, but noted that Romney was then hired to lead the Salt Lake Olympic Committee.

Parra said Romney got the games back on track and gave him the opportunity to realize his dream.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)