Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney formally announced his 2012 presidential campaign in Strathan, NH today, telling a cheering crowd that President Obama has "failed America." Romney said that in 2008, the American people decided to give this president "a chance," then asserted that Obama has squandered that opportunity. The now-official GOP candidate ripped the president's foreign apology tour, slammed the failed 'stimulus' plan, criticized the administration's Israel policy, and savaged the president's "European answers" on debt and government regulation. He also touted his record as governor, including a brief defense of Romneycare. He said his infamous healthcare policy "made a bad situation better -- not perfect, but better." He called for the complete repeal of Obamacare.
One of Romney's biggest applause lines: "It's time for a president who cares more about America's workers than he does about America's union bosses." He closed with, "I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America, and I'm running for President."
Once video of the full speech becomes available, I'll embed it below.
UPDATE - As Romney rolls out his campaign, conservative skeptics are already raising questions about his ability to win the nomination. The Washington Examiner's Philip Klein -- a Romney critic -- has a piece out detailing the non-Romneycare obstacles that stand in Mitt's way. Interestingly, National Review editors Rich Lowry and Ramesh Ponnuru have penned a strikingly similar column, albeit less policy-focused. It's worth mentioning that NR endorsed Mitt Romney for president in 2008.
UPDATE II - Video added:
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