Ann Romney Shares Message of Leading by Example in Largo

Afternoon bingo at stayed on schedule, even with wife of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivering a speech to a crowd of supporters just down the hall.

Ann Romney built upon the personal message she delivered at the Republican National Convention during Wednesday's return visit to the Tampa Bay area. She spent about 10 minutes sharing more personal accounts of her life and love for Mitt and their five boys at the Women for Mitt event supporting her husband's presidential bid.

The packed crowd of 450 supporters, mostly women, filled the ballroom to capacity. At least 100 more supporters watched on TV screens around the community center campus. 

Romney shared how she enjoyed the recent RNC in Tampa.

"I like talking about my husband and what a good guy he is," Romney said, adding that she didn't know the speakers had planned such personal messages. "I liked friends from our past telling real stories about Mitt (at the convention)."

Wednesday, Romney shared a few family stories of her own.

Mitt is "go and do," she said. When her boys were young and a playmate was dying of leukemia, the boys and Mitt spent time with the child. When a neighbor ran out of heat on a northern winter night, Mitt piled logs in the family car to get the woman through the night and then paid her heating bill the next day, Romney said.

Romney also shared how Mitt's faithfulness and dedication supported her during her struggles with breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

"In my darkest hour, Mitt said, 'I don't care how tough it gets, we are doing this together. I am by your side, and we are going to be OK,' " she said.

'Help is on the Way'

Romney said the country could count on her husband for support, as well.

"Help is on the way. ... Mitt has a heart of compassion and a brain that knows how to get a job done."

Romney said this presidential election is very important.

"We believe in America. We know this man won't fail. He is going to turn the key to the economic engine and get this country going again," she said.

Supporters were impressed with Romney's speech.

"I loved how she loves her husband," said Allison Schick of St. Petersburg. "We should really be united and love one another. ... I loved how she loves the Lord."

Catherine Barnhill of Westchase was impressed with Romney's "words of service."

Romney was the headline speaker at the Women for Mitt event. Pinellas County Commissioner Nancy Bostock, South Pasadena Mayor Kathleen Peters, and state Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the crowd, too.