Mitt Romney

==2012 presidential campaign==
{{Main|Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign}}
{{Further|2012 Republican Party presidential primaries|2012 United States presidential election}}

===Primary election===
[[File:Romney 2011 Paradise Valley, AZ rally.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=Mitt Romney sitting outdoors during daytime, with crowd behind him holding up blue and white "Romney" signs |Giving an interview at a supporters rally in [[Paradise Valley, Arizona]]]]
On April 11, 2011, Romney announced, in a video taped outdoors at the [[University of New Hampshire]], that he had formed an [[exploratory committee]] for a run for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/romney-forms-presidential-exploratory-committee/ |first1=Paul |last1=Steinhauser |first2=Robert |last2=Yoon |title=Romney forms presidential exploratory committee |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303061152/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/romney-forms-presidential-exploratory-committee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="bg-ann-12" /> [[Quinnipiac University]] political science professor Scott McLean said, "We all knew that he was going to run. He's really been running for president ever since the day after the 2008 election."<ref name="bg-ann-12">{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/04/12/romney_takes_next_big_step_toward_run_for_president/|title=Romney takes next big step toward run for president|author=Viser, Matt|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115218/http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/04/12/romney_takes_next_big_step_toward_run_for_president/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Romney stood to benefit from the Republican electorate's tendency to nominate candidates who had previously run for president, and thus appeared to be next in line to be chosen.<ref name="pol062909" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/20/palin-or-romney-republicans-weigh-passion-vs-principle/|title=Palin or Romney: Republicans Weigh Passion vs. Principle|author=Lewis, Matt|work=[[Politics Daily]]|date=October 20, 2009|author-link=Matt Lewis (political blogger)|access-date=December 29, 2010|archive-date=November 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124134103/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/20/palin-or-romney-republicans-weigh-passion-vs-principle/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt060211" /> The early stages of the race found him as the apparent front-runner in a weak field, especially in terms of fundraising prowess and organization.<ref name="pol-x">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/x-factor-5-questions-for-the-gop-race-055095|title=X factor: 5 questions for the GOP race|author=Burns, Alexander|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=May 17, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124353/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/x-factor-5-questions-for-the-gop-race-055095|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-do-nothing-frontrunner/238376/|title=The Do-Nothing Frontrunner|author=Green, Joshua|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 5, 2011|author-link=Joshua Green (journalist)|access-date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119075612/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-do-nothing-frontrunner/238376/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pol-newopts" /> Perhaps his greatest hurdle in gaining the Republican nomination was party opposition to the [[Massachusetts health care reform]] law that he had shepherded five years earlier.<ref name="pol-5chal">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/5-challenges-for-front-runner-romney-052981|title=5 challenges for front-runner Mitt Romney|author=Martin, Jonathan|author2=Burns, Alexander|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124348/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/5-challenges-for-front-runner-romney-052981|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bg-ann-12" /><ref name="nyt060211" /> As many potential Republican candidates with star power and fundraising ability decided not to run (including [[Mike Pence]], [[John Thune]], [[Haley Barbour]], [[Mike Huckabee]], and [[Mitch Daniels]]), Republican party figures searched for plausible alternatives to Romney.<ref name="pol-x" /><ref name="pol-newopts">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/with-daniels-out-gop-hopes-for-new-options-055425|title=With Mitch Daniels out, GOP looking for new 2012 option|author=Martin, Jonathan|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=May 22, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124350/https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/with-daniels-out-gop-hopes-for-new-options-055425|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 2, 2011, Romney formally announced the start of his campaign. Speaking on a farm in [[Stratham, New Hampshire]], he focused on the economy and criticized Obama's handling of it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-launches-presidential-bid-with-obama-misery-index-attack/ |title=Romney launches presidential bid with Obama 'misery index' attack|author=Condon, Stephanie|work=[[CBS News]]|date=June 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055025/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20068348-503544.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011}}</ref> He said, "In the campaign to come, the American ideals of economic freedom and opportunity need a clear and unapologetic defense, and I intend to make it – because I have lived it."<ref name="nyt060211">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/us/politics/03romney.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081039/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/us/politics/03romney.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Romney, Opening Race, Presents Himself as the Candidate to Face Obama|author=Shear, Michael D.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>

Romney raised $56 million in 2011, more than double the amount raised by any of his Republican opponents,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/us/politics/obama-raised-42-million-in-last-quarter-of-11.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113070326/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/us/politics/obama-raised-42-million-in-last-quarter-of-11.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Obama Raised $42 Million in Last Quarter of '11 |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 13, 2012}}</ref> and refrained from spending his own money on the campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Viser, Matt|title=Romney raises $14.2m last quarter, but trails Perry|url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/10/15/mitt_romney_raised_142_million_in_quarter/|date=October 15, 2011|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref> He initially pursued a low-key, low-profile strategy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/romneys-low-profile-strategy-060444 |title=Mitt Romney's low-profile strategy|author=Smith, Ben|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=August 1, 2011}}</ref> [[Michele Bachmann]] staged a brief surge in polls, which preceded a poll surge in September 2011 by [[Rick Perry]], who had entered the race the month before.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/accelerating-gop-race-poised-to-test-perrys-staying-power-romneys-obama-strategy |title=Accelerating GOP Race Poised to Test Perry's Staying Power, Romney's Obama Strategy|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=September 3, 2011}}</ref> Perry and Romney exchanged sharp criticisms of each other during a series of debates among the Republican candidates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-25/GOP-presidential-race-Romney-Perry-debates/50547872/1|title=GOP debates signal a race between Romney and Perry|author=Kucinich, Jackie|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> The October 2011 decisions of Palin and [[Chris Christie]] not to run effectively settled the field of candidates.<ref name="ap-field" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2011/1111/Newt-Gingrich-Will-his-mini-surge-in-the-polls-last |title=Newt Gingrich: Will his mini-surge in the polls last? |last=Tulumello |first=Jennifer Skalka |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Perry faded after poor performances in those debates, while [[Herman Cain]]'s "long-shot" bid gained popularity until allegations of sexual misconduct derailed it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cain-and-gingrich-benefit-from-perry-swoon |first=Chris |last=Stirewalt |title=Cain and Gingrich Benefit from Perry Swoon|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=September 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cain-suspends-presidential-campaign-cites-hurt-caused-by-false-allegations |title=Cain Suspends Presidential Campaign, Cites 'Hurt' Caused by 'False' Allegations|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=December 3, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:RomneyToledo (8069625998).jpg|thumb|250px|Romney campaign event in Toledo, Ohio]]
Romney continued to seek support from a wary Republican electorate; at this point in the race, his poll numbers were relatively flat and at a historically low level for a Republican front-runner.<ref name="ap-field">{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016416269_apuscampaign2012reset.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114032852/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016416269_apuscampaign2012reset.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2012|title=With GOP Field Set, Romney Woos The Unconvinced|agency=[[Associated Press]]|author=Babington, Charles|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=October 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Lydia |last=Saad |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/149990/Cain-Surges-Nearly-Ties-Romney-Lead-GOP-Preferences.aspx |publisher=[[The Gallup Organization]]|title=Cain Surges, Nearly Ties Romney for Lead in GOP Preferences|date=October 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://swampland.time.com/2011/12/01/mitt-romney-why-dont-they-like-him/ |title=Why Don't They Like Mitt?|last=Klein |first=Joe |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=December 1, 2011|author-link=Joe Klein}}</ref> After the charges of [[Flip-flop (politics)|flip-flopping]] that marked his 2008 campaign began to accumulate again, Romney said in November 2011: "I've been as consistent as human beings can be."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/10/09/romney_rivals_may_go_after_him_for_flip_flops/ |title=Romney rivals may go after him for flip-flops|author=Elliot, Philip|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=October 9, 2011}}</ref><ref name="cbs-shifting">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitt-romneys-shifting-views-on-climate-change/ |title=Mitt Romney's shifting views on climate change|first=Coral |last=Davenport |work=[[CBS News]]|date=October 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name="wapo-ff">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/romney-says-hes-been-consistent/2011/11/03/gIQAbfJejM_blog.html|title=Romney says he's been consistent|author=Wallsten, Peter|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 3, 2011}}</ref> In the month before voting began, [[Newt Gingrich]] experienced a significant surge – taking a solid lead in national polls and most of the early caucus and primary states<ref name="pol-nfr">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/12/romney-newts-the-front-runner-070298 |title=Mitt Romney on Newt Gingrich: He's the front-runner|author=Allen, Mike|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> – before settling back into parity or worse with Romney following a barrage of negative ads from [[Restore Our Future]], a pro-Romney [[Super PAC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-newt-gingrichs-lead-over-romney-is-gone/ |title=Poll: Newt Gingrich's lead over Romney is gone|author=Montopoli, Brian|work=[[CBS News]]|date=December 19, 2011}}</ref>

In the initial contest, the [[United States presidential election in Iowa, 2012|Iowa caucuses]] of January 3, election officials announced Romney as ahead with 25% of the vote, edging out a late-gaining [[Rick Santorum]] by eight votes ([[Ron Paul]] finished third).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/01/03/politics/iowa-caucus/index.html|title=Romney defeats Santorum by 8 votes in Iowa|work=[[CNN]]|date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref> Sixteen days later, however, they certified Santorum as the winner by 34 votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/the-semantics-and-statistics-of-santorums-win-in-iowa/ |title=The Semantics and Statistics of Santorum's Win in Iowa|author=Silver, Nate|work=[[FiveThirtyEight]], The New York Times|date=January 19, 2012|author-link=Nate Silver}}</ref> A week after the Iowa caucuses, Romney earned a decisive win in [[New Hampshire Republican primary, 2012|the New Hampshire primary]] with 39% of the vote; Paul finished second and [[Jon Huntsman Jr.]] third.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-secures-front-runner-status-with-new-hampshire-win-looks-to-take-momentum-into-south-carolina |title=Romney secures front-runner status with New Hampshire win, looks to take momentum into South Carolina|date=January 11, 2012}}</ref>

In the run-up to the [[South Carolina Republican primary, 2012|South Carolina Republican primary]], Gingrich launched ads criticizing Romney for causing job losses while at Bain Capital, Perry referred to Romney's role there as "[[vulture capitalist|vulture capitalism]]", and Palin pressed Romney to prove his claim that he created 100,000 jobs during that time.<ref name="fox011312">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-gingrich-tangle-over-ads-in-south-carolina |title=Romney, Gingrich tangle over ads in South Carolina|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=January 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/palin-mitt-needs-bain-show-tell-071364 |title=Sarah Palin: Mitt Romney needs Bain show & tell|newspaper=[[Politico]]|author=Lee, MJ|date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> Romney also faced accusations of [[Asset Stripping|asset stripping]].<ref>Kantrow, Yvette. (January 23, 2012). [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/romneys-bain_b_1219990 ''Romney's Bain'']. ''[[HuffPost]]''.</ref><ref>[[Maureen Dowd|Dowd, Maureen]]. (January 10, 2012). [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/dowd-a-perfect-doll.html ''A Perfect Doll'']. ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref><ref>Porritt, Richard. (April 13, 2012). [https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/rivals-force-mitt-romney-to-defend-former-life-as-an-asset-stripper-7308556.html ''Rivals force Mitt Romney to defend former life as an 'asset stripper'']. ''[[Evening Standard]]''.</ref> Many conservatives rallied in defense of Romney, rejecting what they took to be criticism of free-market capitalism.<ref name="fox011312" /> During two debates in the state, Romney fumbled questions about releasing his income tax returns, while Gingrich gained support with audience-rousing attacks on the debate moderators.<ref name="mcc-sc" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/01/south-carolina-debate-gingrich-nails-open-marriage-question-bests-a-flustered-romney.html |title=The Brawl |last=Dickerson |first=John |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref> Romney's double-digit lead in state polls evaporated; he lost the January 21 primary to Gingrich by 13 points.<ref name="mcc-sc" /> Combined with the delayed loss in Iowa, Romney's poor week represented a lost chance to end the race early, and he quickly decided to release two years of his tax returns.<ref name="mcc-sc">{{cite news |first1=Steven |last1=Thomma |first2=David |last2=Lightman |first3=Gina |last3=Smith |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article24722665.html |title=Gingrich wins huge come-from-behind victory in South Carolina|agency=[[McClatchy Newspapers]]|date=January 21, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021234414/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article24722665.html |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/01/mitt_romney_will_release_tax_r.html |first=Steve |last=Peoples |title=Mitt Romney will release tax returns Tuesday; rival Newt Gingrich calls himself most electable GOP candidate |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[MassLive.com]] |date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> The race turned to the [[United States presidential election in Florida, 2012#Republican primary|Florida primary]], where in debates, appearances, and advertisements, Romney launched a sustained barrage against Gingrich's record, associations and electability.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/florida-is-armageddon-071862 |title=Florida Republican primary is 'Armageddon'|author=Burns, Alexander|author2=Bravender, Robin|newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/the-calculations-that-led-romney-to-the-warpath.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129211323/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/the-calculations-that-led-romney-to-the-warpath.html |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Calculations That Led Romney to the Warpath|author=Rutenberg, Jim|author2=Zeleny, Jeff|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 28, 2012}}</ref> Romney enjoyed a large spending advantage from both his campaign and his aligned Super PAC, and after a record-breaking rate of negative ads from both sides, Romney won Florida on January 31, with 46% of the vote to Gingrich's 32%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/politics/florida-primary/index.html|title=Romney claims victory in Florida, builds new momentum |first1=Tom |last1=Cohen |first2=Paul |last2=Steinhauser |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 1, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Paul Ryan with Mitt Romney in Norfolk, Virginia 8-11-12.jpg|right|thumb|250px|alt=Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seen in medium distance on an outdoor stage, with large crowd around them|With running mate [[Paul Ryan]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], during the vice presidential selection announcement on August 11, 2012]]

Several caucuses and primaries took place during February, and Santorum won three in a single night early in the month, propelling him into the lead in national and some state polls and positioning him as Romney's chief rival.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/14/polls-all-tied-up-between-romney-and-santorum/ |first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |title=Polls: All tied up between Romney and Santorum |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206124352/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/14/polls-all-tied-up-between-romney-and-santorum/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Days later, Romney told the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] that he had been a "severely conservative governor"<ref>{{cite news|last=Fahrenthold|first=David A.|title=Mitt Romney was 'severely conservative', he tells CPAC|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romney-was-severely-conservative-governor-he-tells-cpac/2012/02/10/gIQABoNT4Q_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 10, 2012}}</ref> (while in 2005 he had maintained that his positions were moderate and characterized reports that he was shifting to the right to attract conservative votes as a media distortion).<ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips |first=Frank |title=Romney says media distort his views: insists positions moderate in US, except in Mass |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/22/romney_says_media_distort_his_views/ |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=December 22, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627072700/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/22/romney_says_media_distort_his_views?page=full%2F |archive-date=June 27, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Romney won the other five February contests, including a [[Michigan Republican primary, 2012|closely fought one in Michigan]] at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/28/election/2012/primaries/index.html |first=Tom |last=Cohen |title=Romney wins Michigan and Arizona|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mitt-romney-wins-wyoming-caucuses/2012/02/29/gIQAj2yRjR_blog.html|title=Mitt Romney wins Wyoming caucuses|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 29, 2012|first=Aaron|last=Blake}}</ref> In the [[Super Tuesday, 2012|Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses of March 6]], Romney won six of ten contests, including a [[Ohio Republican primary, 2012|narrow victory in Ohio]] over a vastly outspent Santorum. Although his victories were not enough to end the race, they were enough to establish a two-to-one delegate lead over Santorum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-builds-delegate-lead-with-super-tuesday-wins |title=Romney builds delegate lead with Super Tuesday wins|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=March 7, 2012}}</ref> Romney maintained his delegate margin through subsequent contests,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-sweeps-3-primary-contests-eyes-general-election-battle |title=Romney sweeps 3 primary contests, eyes general election battle|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> and Santorum suspended his campaign on April 10.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/04/10/politics/campaign-wrap/index.html |title=Santorum suspends campaign, clearing Romney's path|first=Tom|last=Cohen|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 10, 2012}}</ref> Following a sweep of five more contests on April 24, the [[Republican National Committee]] put its resources to work for Romney as the party's [[presumptive nominee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-apr-25-la-pn-rnc-officially-names-mitt-romney-the-partys-presumptive-nominee-20120425-story.html |title=RNC officially names Mitt Romney the party's 'presumptive nominee'|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 25, 2012|first=Michael A.|last=Memoli}}</ref>

===General election===
[[Nationwide opinion polling for the 2012 United States presidential election|Polls consistently indicated]] a tight race for the November general election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/07/7-points-that-could-tip-the-election-078105 |title=7 points that could tip the election|last=Haberman |first=Maggie |newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=July 5, 2012}}</ref> Negative ads from both sides dominated the campaign, with Obama's proclaiming that Romney shipped jobs overseas while at Bain Capital and kept money in offshore tax havens and Swiss bank accounts.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/us/politics/negative-ads-hit-at-identity-to-shape-race.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726071207/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/us/politics/negative-ads-hit-at-identity-to-shape-race.html |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Negative Ads Hit at Identity to Shape Race for Presidency|first=Jeremy W.|last=Peters|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 25, 2012|page=A1}}</ref> A related issue dealt with Romney's purported responsibility for actions at Bain Capital after taking the Olympics post.<ref name="bg-paid" /><ref name="ap-exit" /> Romney faced demands from Democrats to [[United States presidential election#Financial disclosures|release additional years of his tax returns]], an action a number of Republicans also felt would be wise; after being adamant that he would not do that, he released summaries of them in late September.<ref name="pol-taxes11">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/09/romney-releases-2011-tax-returns-081528 |title=Mitt Romney releases 2011 tax returns|last=Gibson|first=Ginger|date=September 21, 2012|newspaper=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/us/politics/romney-steadfast-against-release-of-more-tax-returns.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719140130/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/us/politics/romney-steadfast-against-release-of-more-tax-returns.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Romney Steadfast in the Face of Growing Calls to Release More Tax Returns|first1=Michael D.|last1=Shear|first2=Trip|last2=Gabriel|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> During May and June, the Obama campaign spent heavily and was able to paint a negative image of Romney in voters' minds before the Romney campaign could construct a positive one.<ref name="bg-retro"/>

In July 2012, Romney visited the United Kingdom, Israel, and Poland, meeting leaders in an effort to raise his credibility as a world statesman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/10363621|title=Romney hails US-Polish ties during visit to Warsaw |agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 31, 2012|first=Kasie|last=Hunt}}</ref> Comments he made about the readiness of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] were perceived as undiplomatic by the British press.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/british-papers-blast-mitt-romney/ |title=British papers blast Mitt Romney|work=[[CBS News]]|date=July 26, 2012 |last=Condon|first=Stephanie}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/26/mitt-romney-olympics-blunder |title=Mitt Romney's Olympics blunder stuns No 10 and hands gift to Obama|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 27, 2012 |first1=Nicholas |last1=Watt |first2=Hélène |last2=Mulholland |first3=Owen |last3=Gibson}}</ref> Israeli Prime Minister (and former BCG colleague) [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] embraced Romney, though some Palestinians criticized him for suggesting that Israel's culture led to their greater economic success.<ref name="wt-trip">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/31/romney-touts-poland-economic-success-story/ |title=Romney's trip a bumpy ride |first=Seth |last=McLaughlin |newspaper=The Washington Times|date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref>

On August 11, 2012, the Romney campaign announced Representative [[Paul Ryan]] of Wisconsin as his running mate.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hunt |first=Kasie |title=It's Paul Ryan: Romney picks Wis. Rep. for No. 2 |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-sources-romney-intends-name-ryan-his-no-2 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=April 26, 2014 |date=August 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813212644/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-sources-romney-intends-name-ryan-his-no-2 |archive-date=August 13, 2012 }}</ref> On August 28, 2012, the [[2012 Republican National Convention]] in [[Tampa, Florida]], officially nominated Romney for president.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republican-delegates-nominate-mitt-romney/ |title=Republican delegates nominate Mitt Romney |work=[[CBS News]] |date=August 28, 2012 |last=Caldwell |first=Leigh Ann |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}</ref> Romney became the first LDS Church member to be a major-party presidential nominee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://azstarnet.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/romney-s-nomination-seen-as-positive-for-mormons/article_5d7c8599-576d-524f-8a6b-df6cbe25b158.html|title=Romney's nomination seen as positive for Mormons|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|date=September 3, 2012}}</ref>

In mid-September, a video surfaced of Romney speaking before a group of supporters in which he said that 47% of the nation pays no income tax, are dependent on the federal government, see themselves as victims, and will support Obama unconditionally. He went on to say, "And so my job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/18/mitt-romney-secret-video|title=Mitt Romney under fire after comments caught on video|first=Ewan|last=MacAskill|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=September 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name="wapo-47">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/romneys-47-percent-comments-arent-going-away/2012/10/01/17604654-0be5-11e2-a310-2363842b7057_story.html|title=Romney's '47 percent' comments aren't going away, and they're taking a toll|first=Philip|last=Rucker|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/njvoices/2012/09/mitt_romney_and_the_47_percent.html |title=Mitt Romney and the 47 percent: Looking at the facts|newspaper=[[The Star-Ledger]]|location=Newark|date=September 18, 2012}}</ref> After facing criticism about the tone and accuracy of these comments, he at first characterized them as "inelegantly stated", then a couple of weeks later commented: "I said something that's just completely wrong."<ref name="nyt-deb1" /> Exit polls published following the election showed that voters never saw Romney as someone who cared about people like them.<ref name="bg-retro"/>

In an interview on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, Romney called Russia "our number one geopolitical foe".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mitt-romney-russia-geopolitical-foe_n_1380801|title=Mitt Romney: Russia Is 'Our Number One Geopolitical Foe'|first=Luke|last=Johnson|date=March 26, 2012|website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/mitt-romney-says-russia-is-no-1-geopolitical-foe|title=Mitt Romney Says Russia Is No. 1 Geopolitical Foe|website=[[ABC News]]|first=Emily|last=Friedman|date=March 26, 2012}}</ref> At the time an innocuous response to a foreign policy question, it became a focal point for Democratic attacks on Romney during the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/02/biden-democratic-attacks-romney-convention|title=Joe Biden leads Democratic attacks on Romney before Charlotte convention|first=Matt|last=Williams|date=September 2, 2012|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/03/29/romneys_russia_comments_reflect_long-held_distrust_113652.html|title=Romney's Russia Comments Reflect Long-Held Distrust &#124; RealClearPolitics|website=www.realclearpolitics.com}}</ref><ref name="mediaite.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/rothman-msnbcs-most-embarrassing-mockery-of-romneys-russia-warnings/|title=Rothman: MSNBC's Most Embarrassing Mockery of Romney's Russia Warnings|date=March 3, 2014}}</ref> Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, called Romney's position "dated" and said Russia had been an ally in solving problems,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/04/hillary-clinton-calls-romneys-russia-comments-dated-updated-119292|title=Hillary Clinton calls Romney's Russia comments 'dated' (Updated)|first=Maggie|last=Haberman|website=[[Politico]]|date=April 2012 }}</ref> while Joe Biden, then vice president, accused Romney of having a "Cold War mentality" and being "uninformed" on foreign policy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 1, 2012|title=Biden and Clinton hit Romney for 'dated' comments on Russia|url=https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/biden-and-clinton-hit-romney-for-dated-comments-on-russia/news-story/663701e4c6e6037ee3b78150a4c342e1|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=NewsComAu|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden, Clinton hit back at Romney|url=https://torontosun.com/2012/04/01/biden-clinton-hit-back-at-romney|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=torontosun|language=en-CA}}</ref> John Kerry, then a senator, called Romney's comments "breathtakingly off target"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/news/kerry-calls-romneys-russia-position-breathtakingly-off-target-111700259.html|title=Kerry Calls Romney's Russia Position 'Breathtakingly Off Target'|website=news.yahoo.com|date=May 25, 2012 }}</ref> and reiterated that position at the Democratic National Convention, saying, "He's even blurted out the preposterous notion that Russia is our number one political geopolitical foe."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Video: John Kerry Aims International Zingers at Mitt Romney|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/john-kerry-aims-international-zingers-mitt-romney-17177781|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=[[ABC News]]|language=en}}</ref> Romney defended his remarks, saying, "The nation which consistently opposes our actions at the United Nations has been Russia{{nbsp}}... Russia is a geopolitical foe in that regard",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/news/romney-keeps-attacks-russia-110836427.html|title=Romney Keeps Up Attacks on Russia|website=news.yahoo.com|first=Matthew|last=Shelly|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> and continued to defend his position in the presidential debates.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/1023/In-debate-Romney-reiterates-Russia-is-geopolitical-foe-of-US|title=In debate, Romney reiterates Russia is 'geopolitical foe' of US|date=October 23, 2012|journal=The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref>

[[File:ElectoralCollege2012.svg|thumb|left|250px|alt=Colored map|Electoral College results]]

The first of three [[United States presidential election debates, 2012|2012 presidential election debates]] took place on October 3, in Denver. Media figures and political analysts widely viewed Romney as having delivered a stronger and more focused presentation than Obama.<ref name="nyt-deb1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/us/politics/for-obama-and-romney-campaign-gains-new-intensity-in-debates-wake.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005053248/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/us/politics/for-obama-and-romney-campaign-gains-new-intensity-in-debates-wake.html |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Campaign Gains a New Intensity in Debate's Wake|first1=Jim|last1=Rutenberg|first2=Peter|last2=Baker|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2012/10/romneys_debate_performance_was.html |title=Romney's debate performance was presidential game changer, analysts say|newspaper=[[The Star-Ledger]]|location=Newark|date=October 5, 2012}}</ref> That debate overshadowed Obama's improved presentation in the next two debates later in October, and Romney maintained a small advantage in the debates when seen as a whole.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/10/25/usa-today-gallup-poll-debates/1657145/|title=Poll: An Obama comeback, but a Romney edge on debates|first=Susan|last=Page|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

The election took place on November 6, and Obama was projected the winner at about 11:14 pm Eastern Standard Time.<ref name="whio">{{cite news|url=http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/latest-presidential-vice-presidential-race-coverag/nSyhJ/|title=Latest: Obama, Biden declared winners|first=Mandy|last=Gambrell|publisher=[[WHIO-TV]]|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110054850/http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/latest-presidential-vice-presidential-race-coverag/nSyhJ/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He won 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206. Romney lost all but one of nine [[battleground state]]s and received 47% of the popular vote to Obama's 51%.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/06/obama-defeats-romney-to-win-second-term-fox-news-projects/|title=Obama defeats Romney to win second term, vows he has 'more work to do'|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=November 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-biden-officially-win-second-term-20130104,0,5932518.story|title=It's official: Obama, Biden win second term|author=Memoli, Michael A.|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> Media accounts described Romney as "shellshocked" by the result.<ref name="cbs-end">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57547239/adviser-romney-shellshocked-by-loss/|title=Adviser: Romney 'shellshocked' by loss|first=Jan|last=Crawford|author-link=Jan Crawford|work=[[CBS News]]|date=November 8, 2012}}</ref> He and his senior campaign staff had disbelieved public polls showing Obama narrowly ahead and had thought they were going to win until the vote tallies began to be reported on election night.<ref name="cbs-end"/> But Romney's [[get out the vote]] operation had been inferior to Obama's, both in person-to-person organization and in voter modeling and outreach technology<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-the-obama-campaign-won-the-race-for-voter-data/2013/07/28/ad32c7b4-ee4e-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html|title=How the Obama campaign won the race for voter data|first=Dan|last=Balz|author-link=Dan Balz|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 28, 2013}}</ref> (the latter exemplified by the failure of the [[Project Orca]] application).<ref name="bg-retro">{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/12/23/the-story-behind-mitt-romney-loss-presidential-campaign-president-obama/OeZRabbooIw0z7QYAOyFFP/story.html|title=Mitt Romney was hesitant to reveal himself|first=Michael|last=Kranish|author-link=Michael Kranish|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> In his concession speech to his supporters, he said, "Like so many of you, Paul and I have left everything on the field. We have given our all to this campaign. I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead this country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/06/14976592-victorious-obama-more-determined-in-face-of-challenges |title=Victorious Obama 'more determined' in face of challenges|first=Michael|last=O'Brien|work=[[NBC News]]|date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> Reflecting on his defeat during a conference call to hundreds of fundraisers and donors a week after the election, Romney attributed the outcome to Obama's having secured the votes of specific interest groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, young people, and women, by offering them what Romney called "extraordinary financial gifts".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Santucci|first1=John|last2=Good|first2=Chris|last3=Walshe|first3=Shushannah|title=Everything Romney said to explain away loss|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/obamas-gifts-small-campaign-bill-clintons-thoughtsromneys-parting/story?id=17727179 |work=[[ABC News]]|date=November 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Parker|first=Ashley|title=Romney blames loss on Obama's 'gifts' to minorities and young voters|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/romney-blames-loss-on-obamas-gifts-to-minorities-and-young-voters/|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reston|first=Maeve|title=Romney attributes loss to 'gifts' Obama gave minorities|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-donors-20121115,0,1719033.story|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 15, 2012}}</ref> The remark drew heavy criticism from prominent members of the Republican party.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wallace|first=Gregory|title=Gingrich: Romney 'gifts' comment 'nuts'|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/18/gingrich-romney-gifts-comment-nuts/|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=November 18, 2012|access-date=November 18, 2012|archive-date=November 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121161852/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/18/gingrich-romney-gifts-comment-nuts/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Falcone|first=Michael|title=Republicans Mourning for Mitt Romney? Not So Much|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/republicans-mourning-mitt-romney/story?id=17742687 |work=[[ABC News]]|date=November 17, 2012}}</ref>