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Romney Stumps in Multi-Lingual BBQ

December 09, 2007 3:17 PM

ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney made a visit to a BBQ for supporters in Miami today, reaching out in French, Spanish and English to the multi-lingual crowd.

Romney's son Craig was the official host of the BBQ, introducing his father exclusively in Spanish, saying he were very grateful for everything the supporters do for the campaign. Craig served his church spent two years in Chile as a missionary for the Mormon church. 

Romney followed Craig's speech by saying, "I have no idea what he said but you're applauding. That's a good thing."

Al Cardenas, the chairman of Romney's National Hispanic Steering committee introduced Romney enthusiastically, but incorrectly. "The one candidate leading the United States in the first six states in the primaries in January is Gov. Mitt Romney." Romney has recently fallen into second place in Iowa behind Fmr. AK Gov. Mike Huckabee. Romney didn't correct Cardenas.

The enthusiastic crowd, that Romney claimed to be about 150 people, cheered when he finally got to speak, one woman yelling that he would make "the best president."

Romney noted to the audience that he "had so much fun shaking your hands and hugging a few of you. I like the hugs too, the girls in particular."

Romney largely about his "Hispanic heroes," including Pancho Villa. Romney joked, "My dad was born in Mexico, and his family lived in Mexico. And if it weren't for Pancho Villa pushing him out of Mexico, I probably couldn't be running for President."

The King of Spain, Juan Carlos, was also noted for, according to Romney, telling Venezuelan President Jugo Chavez, "what he should have heard a long time ago. Shut up."

Finally, although he first referred to him as "El Papi," Romney also cited Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, as one of his heroes as well.

Romney tried his hand at Spanish, sprinkling his gladhanding with "bueno" and "gracias." There was also a Haitian-American gentleman in the crowd and Romney shortly diverted to French for his stump speech.

When asked by a reporter if he was ready for tonight, Romney only said, "Looking forward to it."

Romney left the stage to chants of "Four Years Romney" and "Cuatro Anos Romney" until they reconsidered and switched to "Eight Years Romney."

December 9, 2007 in Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (1)

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Posted by: twister61 | Dec 9, 2007 9:32:43 PM

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