Romney promises 'bold changes': Republican Mitt Romney promises "bold changes" against President Obama's "status... http://bbc.in/SFTU2A
3:50 PM - 26 Oct 12 · Details
Romney promises 'bold changes' to Obama's 'status quo'
Mitt Romney said Friday's economic data, which showed 2% GDP growth, was disappointing
Republican nominee Mitt Romney has called for "bold changes" against President Barack Obama's "status quo", on the final stretch of an election race that is too close to call.
Mr Romney dismissed the Democratic incumbent as a shadow of his former self, in an economic speech in the key battleground state of Iowa.
On Friday, new figures showed US gross domestic product grew by 2% in the third quarter, exceeding expectations.
The US goes to the polls on 6 November.
In a speech seeking to outline his core economic argument, Mr Romney said: "This is not the time to double down on the trickle-down government policies that have failed us.
"It is time for new, bold changes that measure up to the moment that can bring America's families the certainty that the future will be better than the past."
Disputing the data
The former Massachusetts governor also accused Mr Obama of distracting the nation's "attention from the biggest issues to the smallest".
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He is due to appear at campaign stops in Ohio later - a state that analysts say he must win if he is to take the White House.
Mr Obama was taking a break from the campaign trail on Friday, after an intense 48-hour eight-state tour earlier in the week.
He is spending the day in Washington, recording interviews and meeting fellow Democrats.
Mr Romney's comments in Iowa come as the Department of Commerce figures showed the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2% in the three months to September.
The White House said the data showed the economy was moving in the right direction.
But Mr Romney said: "Slow economic growth means slow job growth and declining take-home pay."
An average of national opinion polls released on Friday show Mr Romney opening a modest lead of 0.9% over Mr Obama.
In other news on Friday:
- Former New Hampshire Governor Johnn Sununu retreated from his comments suggesting that former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Mr Obama because both men were black
- Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the Republicans' top donor, has given $10m (£6.2m) to a group supporting Mr Romney
- The presidential campaigns' combined fundraising total has crossed the $2bn mark, on track to become the most expensive race in history.
