Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accepted his party's nomination for president Thursday night at the Republican National Convention.

During his acceptance speech, Romney said he wished President Barack Obama had succeeded, "but his promises gave way to disappointment and division."

"This isn't something we have to accept," Romney told the convention. "Now is the moment when we can stand up and say, 'I'm an American. I make my destiny. And we deserve better!'"

Romney asked Americans if they still felt the excitement from when they voted for Obama four years ago, saying "there's something wrong with the kind of job he's done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him."

He said that the time has come to put "the disappointments of the last four years behind us" by electing him president.

"Many Americans have given up on this president, but they haven't ever thought about giving up -- not on themselves, not on each other and not on America," he said.

The country's needs are not complicated or profound, Romney said.

"What America needs is jobs, lots of jobs," he said.

Romney's challenge Thursday was to push past the the stiff and reserved perception that's been created for him by opponents and comedians and make a heartfelt and profound appeal to American voters.

Romney advisers said their biggest goal is to improve his likability and make the case that he understands how Americans are struggling and that he empathizes with the middle class.