Transcript for Mitt Romney's Al Smith Dinner Speech: Comic Relief

Your evidence cardinal Dolan. Mr. President. Governor Cuomo. Mayor Bloomberg. Senator Schumer. Allen and Smith thank you for your invitation thank you for your extraordinarily. Warm welcome and I appreciate your friendship very very much. How well you are -- a campaign can require a lot of wardrobe changes. We. Blue jeans -- -- morning perhaps. -- for a lunch fundraiser sport coat for dinner but it's nice to finally relax and where what. I'm. -- the join in this venerable tradition. Of course I'm I'm pleased that the president's here. We were chatting pleasantly this evening is -- Tuesday night never happened. I -- that of course to the cardinal he has. It's taken New York's highest spiritual authority to get us back on our best behavior. -- I was actually hoping the president would bring Joseph Biden along this evening. First serious politics and it was especially nice to see President Obama colonel bill insuring that a diet despite their differences. I'm sure the -- Has no hard feelings and we might get an indication of that during dinner to see if the president's wind turns in the water. Water turns -- one. Pleased to once again have the chance to see Governor Cuomo who's already being talked about for a higher office. A very impressive fellow. -- himself I mean let me get this straight the -- has -- -- one term as the governor. He as a father. -- be a governor any -- that's enough to run for president I. Bush were down. Months of the president's term. As president and Obama surveys the Waldorf. With everyone and white tie and -- you have to wonder what he's thinking. So little time. So much to redistribute. -- be surprised if the president -- the -- in the monthly jobs report where there was a slight improvement of the numbers. He knows how to seize the moment this present. And already has a compelling new campaign slogan. You're better -- -- areas that are here the Al Smith dinner -- lives up to its billing. Usually when I get invited to gatherings like this. Is supposed to be the designated driver. Your kind hospitality. Here tonight gives me a chance to convey my deep and long held respect for the Catholic Church. Have special admiration for the apostle saint Peter. -- is set upon this rock -- will build my church. The stories all the more inspiring when you consider that he had so many skeptics stoppers at the time who. -- -- -- -- If you got a church. You didn't -- that. Days ago -- to the finish line campaign full of surprises the debates are very excited just of the night we had. Very fun debate Candy Crowley was there was happy to welcome -- but people seem to be very curious system. How we prepare for the debates -- I what I do. First refrain from alcohol for 65 years before them. Second -- the biggest available straw man and then just personally attacked. Big -- didn't see it coming. In the spirit of Sesame Street the president's remarks that are brought to you by the letter O in the number sixteen trillion. Campaigns can be. Grueling and exhausting. President Obama and I are each very lucky to have one person who's always in our corner someone -- we can lean on that. Someone who's a comforting presence without them we wouldn't be able -- -- one of the day I have. Beautiful white -- He has Bill Clinton. Dose of the -- charm last week helped I have that in his said -- -- of Colorado. I'm not sure that all that Kerry got had quite the affected Joseph intended. Because afterwards I heard from the Federal Election Commission. From now on whenever he appears on TV there's a recording in the afterwards that says I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message. Of course rules of fairness have to be enforced. Because. What are the safeguards that we have -- has the press. And and I had never. Suggest that the that the press is bias. I recognize they have their job to do and I have my job to do my job is to lay -- a positive vision for the future of the country. And their job is to make sure no one else finds out about. Let's just say that -- in. -- have a certain way of looking at things. Went suddenly I pulled ahead of some of the major polls what was ahead. Polls show Obama leading from behind. He has seen early reports from tonight. Obama embraced by Catholics. -- -- with rich people. Of course the president has put his own stamp on. Relations with the church. The -- awkward moments. Like when the president pulled Pope Benedict decide to share some advice on how to deal with his critics he says it look like father. Whatever the problem is just plain and -- -- Pope John Paul the second. Of course the president has found a way to take the sting out of the Obama care mandates for the church. For now on they get a -- and Latin. We have. Very fundamentally sound principles that guide both the president -- me. He. He of course feel the pressures and tensions that they have a close contest to be easy to let -- healthy competition. Give way to the person on the -- but fortunately we don't carry the burden of of dislike it when another. Our president has had some very fine and gracious moments don't tell it when I said so -- our 44 president has many gifts -- beautiful family. That would make any man proud. In our country you can oppose some of politics and make a confident. Case against their policies. Without a deal well. And that's how it is for me. There's more to life the politics. The Al Smith foundation of the Archdiocese of New York. You show this in the work you do -- causes that run deeper than allegiance to party or any -- of the moment. No matter which way the political winds are blowing. What work goes on day and now by this organization and you US was calm and willing hearts and service of the poor. Care for the sick. In defense and the rights of conscience. And it solidarity with the innocent child waiting to be born. You strive to bring God's love. I don't presume to have. All your support and a night like this -- certainly not -- Ask for it. But you can be certain. That in the great causes -- compassion that you. Come together to embrace. That I stand proudly with you as an ally and friend. God bless you --

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