us election campaing 2012

Bullish amid a resurgence in his poll numbers in the state and nationwide, Mr Romney attempted to hoist himself above his party rivals by focusing his attacks on the president he said had let down the US.

Speaking in an eastern Iowan city where Mr Obama promised four years ago this week “to repair the nation”, the former Governor of Massachusetts told him: “You have now had your moment. We have seen the results. And now, Mr President, it is our time”.

Mr Romney was introduced by his wife, Ann, who told hundreds of supporters packed into a hotel conference room: “Help is on the way. Mitt is going to win the nomination and then beat Obama”.

From a stage backed by a huge US flag and two mock-classical columns, he repeatedly contrasted himself with his potential general election opponent rather than his Republican competitors, to whom he did not even refer.

“President Obama says that he wants to 'fundamentally transform' America,” Mr Romney said. “I don't want to transform America … I want to restore the founding principles that made America great.”