Mitt Romney told a cheering crowd that they deserved the “hope and change” Barack Obama failed to deliver, wading into a policy assault before describing himself as a churchgoing father and businessman whose faith reflects the values of America. In fact, he repeated the word “America” so many times it seemed part of his strategy.

But he spoke in generalities as he offered a standard biographical sketch, rather than offer the kind of colorful anecdotes that might have fleshed out the contours of his life…

Romney took the stage having spent two years delivering his indictment of the Obama administration and selling himself as a financial Mr. Fixit. The challenge was to connect with ordinary voters and make them feel comfortable with him as an occupant of the Oval Office.

On that score, he largely punted, wrapping the speech around criticisms of Obama’s policies on health care, energy, taxes and foreign affairs. He pledged, with little detail, to create 12 million new jobs. The speech flagged during those long minutes…

Romney closed with a message that seemed at odds with his drive to shrink government, calling for a “united America” that “will care for the poor and the sick, will honor and respect the elderly, and will give a helping hand to those in need.”

A rousing finish briefly electrified the hall as Ryan and Ann Romney bounded onto the stage and the balloons dropped on cue. Whether it changed the country’s view of Mitt Romney is another matter entirely.

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