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STORY: Ann Romney, wife of Republican Presidential hopeful tests out the microphone at the Republican National Convention in Tampa Tuesday.
Ann Romney's address represents a prime opportunity to humanize her husband, who is often seen as having trouble connecting with ordinary Americans. Obama's campaign has sought to exploit this by emphasizing Romney's vast wealth.
In Tampa, part of Republican officials' aim is to present Romney's biography - as a private equity executive, Massachusetts governor and leader of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics - in a flattering way that contrasts with the waves of attacks on Romney by the president and his allies.
Ann Romney, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and survived breast cancer, is perhaps his most effective surrogate.
"Having breast cancer wasn't easy," she told CBS's "This Morning" program in an interview that could help set a more sympathetic tone for the wealthy couple. "I've had several miscarriages actually, but having multiple sclerosis was a very, very hard time in my life."
Adding a personal touch with reporters on the plane to Tampa, she served them Welsh cookies baked from a family recipe. On landing, she went straight from the airport to the Tampa Bay Times Forum for a walk-through and a "mic check" at the lectern.
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