Aides have been touting Thursday's address to the Republican National Convention, and to millions of American watching at home on television, as the speech of Mr. Romney's life.

In excerpts of his speech released to the media, Mr. Romney says "I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed. But his promises gave way to disappointment and division."

Earlier Thursday evening, former Florida governor Jeb Bush - the younger brother of former president George W. Bush - chastised Mr. Obama during his speech to convention delegates.  Bush said Mr. Obama should stop blaming his brother for the nation's woes, saying "a real leader would accept responsibility for his actions and you haven't done it."

Mr. Romney -- a one-time venture capitalist and former governor of Massachusetts -- says he can boost the country's sluggish economy with lower taxes and less government regulation.  But Mr. Obama, the Democratic incumbent, says a Romney presidency would result in a return to policies that led to the country's worst economic downturn since the 1930s.

Nationwide voter surveys show the two candidates in a virtual tie 10 weeks ahead of the November 6 election.  Voters say they think Mr. Romney would be better suited to fix the nation's economy, but they like Mr. Obama more.

Aides say Mr. Romney will also share more of his personal life, including about how he has been shaped by his Mormon religion, and ""talk about who he is."

Mr. Romney's running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, Wednesday night promised an end to "excuses and idle words" when it comes to the economy, if Mr. Romney wins.

Ryan told the convention that "fear and division" is all the Democratic party has left, chastising Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats for spending the past four years blaming others for problems instead of finding solutions.

Ryan said he and Mr. Romney will "meet serious challenges in a serious way," but he warned the country's economic problems are so big that there is not much time to fix them.

The 42-year-old lawmaker has energized conservative activists, even though he has been criticized for his proposals to impose deep cuts in social programs. 

In the state of Virginia Wednesday, President Obama called the Republican convention a "pretty entertaining show," but said voters will not hear Mr. Romney or other Republican party officials offer "a clear, serious path forward."

The Democrats will hold their convention next week in Charlotte, North Carolina.