Mitt Romney mocked President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaIt's now up to health systems to solve our food problems Testing the Electoral College process against judicial overreach Obama steps into The Shade Room to urge 'roommates' to vote, says White House 'working to keep people from voting' MORE's new campaign slogan on Wednesday.

"His new slogan is: Progress - no, forward. Forward! That's it. Progress would be better," Romney said, according to a pool report. "I must use that one myself, actually. Forward is his new slogan, and it's like, forward, what, over the cliff?"

The presumptive Republican nominee was speaking at the Pentagon City Ritz Carlton at an event that brought in some $625,000 for the Romney campaign. Guests included Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, and Romney adviser Ed Gillespie, along with prominent Northern Virginia fundraisers. Tickets cost $2,500 for the general reception and $10,000 for a VIP reception where guests were guaranteed a photo opportunity with the candidate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Romney's remarks centered primarily on his concerns over a struggling economy.

“Almost every other day I’ll sit down with a group of individuals, and sometimes it’s kind of heartbreaking,” he said. “Obama didn’t create the recession, but he has overseen the most tepid recovery we have seen since Hoover.”

Virginia governor Bob McDonnell, rumored to be on the short list for Romney's running mate, blasted President Obama during his comments at the event.

“This is the most critical election we’ve seen in modern American history and there is no rationale for the Obama presidency,’’ McDonnell said. “I believe for such a time as this, by divine providence we get the right kind of leader.’’

Romney will continue to campaign in Virginia on Thursday, where former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann Michele Marie BachmannEvangelicals shouldn't be defending Trump in tiff over editorial Mellman: The 'lane theory' is the wrong lane to be in White House backs Stephen Miller amid white nationalist allegations MORE is set to endorse his campaign at an event in Portsmouth. President Obama will kick off his campaign with an event at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on Saturday.