Romney will convey 'who he is'

Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney will "talk about who he is" when he delivers his biggest-ever address to US voters on Thursday, a senior aide said. Senior advisor Eric Fehrnstrom previewed the nominee's all-important speech, saying the former Massachusetts governor will lay out his vision for America but also take the time to flesh out chapters of his personal life. For many watching at home it will be their first focused look at Romney -- a fabulously wealthy former private equity investor who touts his business record as the key credential for turning around the US economy. A consensus has formed that a primary mission for Romney is to show his personal side, to recraft his image as a warm and personable family man and blunt the perception he has earned as a stiff, socially awkward multimillionaire who is out of touch with everyday voters. Fehrnstrom said Romney had three broad objectives when he accepts the party's presidential nomination and addresses thousands of delegates and party bigwigs, not to mention millions of Americans watching from their living rooms during prime time. "First is to talk about his vision for a better future," Fehrnstrom told reporters. "He also is going to make the case against President (Barack) Obama for the failures of the last four years. And he's going to talk about who he is." Fehrnstrom said Romney is also set to "talk about his father" George Romney, who was an auto executive before becoming governor of Michigan and then launching an ill-fated presidential bid in 1968. The elder Romney died in 1995, but he is believed to have remained a compelling spiritual presence for Mitt.