(CBS News) Addressing a predominantly black audience for just the second time on the campaign trail, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Wednesday took his message to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), delivering a speech that was received with mixed response -- including multiple instances of prolonged boos.
Rolling out a proposal to reduce government spending and create jobs, Romney, who is trailing President Obama among African-Americans by more than 80 percent in the polls, vowed to "eliminate every non-essential expensive program I can find" if elected president. "That includes Obamacare," he said, to loud boos from the audience.
He was also booed when he told the largely black audience that "if you want a president who will make things better in the African American community, you are looking at him."
According to his campaign, Romney is "committed to competing in the black community despite the odds." But he stressed to the audience that he's not "presuming" anyone's support.
"We have to make our case to every voter. We don't count anybody out, and we sure don't make a habit of presuming anyone's support. Support is asked for and earned - and that's why I'm here today," he said. "I believe that if you understood who I truly am in my heart, and if it were possible to fully communicate what I believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African American families, you would vote for me for president."
