Miami, Fla. (CNN) – Mitt Romney resumed his normal campaign schedule but aimed to strike a "positive tone" Wednesday as people continued to recover from the aftereffects of Sandy, a senior adviser said.
But in a sign that softer tone only extended to a certain point, adviser Kevin Madden would not answer CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta's question about the president's handling of the weather disaster that has upended both candidates' schedules in the final days of the race.
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"I believe the response is still going on, so I'm not in a position to qualify the response by the federal government," Madden said after a question about whether Obama was effectively responding to Sandy.
In Tampa, at his first campaign event since the crisis, Romney did not mention President Obama or repeat any of his harshest criticisms of his opponent in a speech where he repeatedly encouraged his supporters to donate to relief efforts for storm victims.
"We come together in times like this and we want to make sure that they have a speedy and quick recovery from their financial and, in many cases, personal loss," Romney said. "Now, people coming together is what's also going to happen, I believe, on Nov. 7."
But hours later, at his second event in Coral Gables, the local politicians who spoke before Romney did not hold back.
After the four killings in Libya, Obama was "nowhere to be found" to answer questions about what happened, thundered Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who also accused Obama of apologizing for America abroad.
"Remember, and he went to Egypt to apologize, to tell the world that the United States was going to be humbler and mellower and that frankly, we are so sorry for the sacrifices of the Americans for generations," the congressman said.
Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a state representative, offered parents some Halloween advice for convincing their neighbors to support Romney.
"If you run into one of those Obama supporters on your block, go up to them and tell them you are going to redistribute the candy of their children. And see if they still support that policy then!" he joked.
And former Gov. Jeb Bush drew audible chuckles with his smiling jab at the president: "His entire strategy is to blame others, starting with my brother [George W. Bush] of course," he said, to laughter.
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Yeah! 6 days to go, maybe Romeny will figure out what he's running on (or even running for).
Sorry, Governor- thanks for playing.
"Back on stump, Romney aims for right tone"
Hi, I'm Mittens Rmoney, check out how I glad-hand you and tell you what you want to hear whle my campaign spends millions on false ads about welfare and Chrysler/Jeep. I believe this is the right tone because I beleive Amurika is tone deaf: I'll speak soothingly and strut around while my ads spew vitriol and blatant misrepresentations. And by the right "tone" I mean skin tone."
Right tone? Sure you don't mean "white tone" CNN? Because that's what half the country is voting for.
Release your tax returns Willard. You are a criminal for not disclosing income from your off-shore accounts on your tax returns THAT'S WHY!!!!!!!
Gov. Jeb Bush drew audible chuckles with his smiling jab at the president: "His entire strategy is to blame others, starting with my brother [George W. Bush] of course," he said, to laughter
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Where IS your brother Jeb?
He is so funny, and personable. Shouldn't he be out stumping for Romney?
They had to settle for you and Grandpa Bush because if the American public EVER got a glimpse of your brother, George W, standing alongside Romney you could fold up the tent and rev up the bus. It'd be game over.
Your brother was a murderer and a complete and unapologetic F-UP, for whose blunders , dereliction of duty, and ego out of control we're still paying for.
Laugh THAT off.
Mr. Romney back on the trail. He is telling everyone that we need to help each other. He has the means to help the most by asking his PAC donors to give to relief organizations. Instead we are being bombarded by ads which are so very negative and are not even factual. When a number of states has similar ads where only the names are changed you know that something is really rotten.
The Republican PACS have produced some of the most negative ads we have ever seen. Before the Conservatives start to scream there are some ads by Democrats that are also negative. Unfortunately there are more from the Republicans.
Ann Coulter appeared on Fox the other night and I really wonder why she is on these shows. She really should be booed off the stage because we really do not need her negativity and rudeness. Fox commentators and Ms. Coulter think that her feminine wiles will get the attention of voters who will be overcome by her beauty. Gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, think again.
More likely he is aiming for the right wing.
Face it Ameriku, Romney is completely tone deaf.
President Obama has our vote.
Romney was our governor in MA. Would not want him in D. C.
Right tone? He's lied his entire campaign. Too late for a 'right tone' now.
Right Tone-Romney needs to admit he is a fraud and has lied to the country and his supporters. Obama/Biden 2012
"We come together in times like this and we want to make sure that they have a speedy and quick recovery from their financial and, in many cases, personal loss," Romney said.
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To him, the financial always comes first. What a stupid statement. I got news for him, this is PERSONAL for evey person in the path of the storm and anyone who has a friend or loved one in that path!
I can't imagine any person actually thinking this man has their best interest at heart. I don't care how business savvy he is, he is not the right person to lead this Nation. He is not only less than truthful (being nice here) but he is also condescending with his little smirk. PLEASE don't turn this country over to him!!
I'm going to vote for the president that see's America the way I do .. whites/black/latinos/asians and every other ethnicity growing together in the melting pot and picking eachother up when needed. Romney, his crowd and policy's do not fit my vision for my future, country and fellow americans.
Obama 2012
The right tone would be for you to DROP OUT of the race and go back to what you love the most MONEY and YOUR family. For that, I might have some respect for you. Otherwise, you are a creep and I look forward to your demise next Tuesday.
Did he ever leave the campaign stump? We saw a lot of photo ops coming from the Romney camp yesterday curtesy of CNN. Did I miss the part were he left the campaign trail ... ?
Well, Jeb. If the shoe fits . . .
The only tone I hear is that of a third term GW Bush !
Romney , All look , see show .
Romney/Reed/Rove/Ryan.
Sniffit "Right tone? Sure you don't mean "white tone" CNN? Because that's what half the country is voting for."
Sure, 95% of the black vote went to Obama, surely not because he was black, right? Liberals who play the race card make me sick. What a bunch of pathetic losers!
I don't believe President Obam apologized to anyone. But GW owes a whole lot of folks apologies!!
""His entire strategy is to blame others, starting with my brother [George W. Bush] of course,"
This is the first time I've heard W's name mentioned in this campaign. It's almost like they want people to forget about him..... now , why would that be Republicans???
Why is no one looking into what Romney's sons do for a living. Real estate, acquisition companies, etc. Wouldn't it be a conflict of interest if he wins the presidency?
Mitt the twit won't make a trip to Jersey because his own boy Christie has written him off. Take that twit.
Guess since he took a day off for photoshoots helping victims of the storm, its time to get back to his lies.
the right tone partly would be to tell the TRUTH and stop doubling down on claims that have been proven to be false. That untrue ad may have LOST Ohio for Mitt instead of won it.
The main stream media's lack of investigating and reporting, in regards to the Benghazi tragedy, where four brave Americans were murdered, is a disgrace. In 2012, after Romney and Ryan replace the empty suit, in the empty chair, America needs to replace the corrupt main stream media, with real journalists.