NASHUA — Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney outlined plans to create a stronger America at his victory rally Friday evening.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered under signs saying, “Are you better off?” and “America's comeback team” at Holman Stadium.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Rep. Charles Bass and state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley spoke on Romney's behalf at the start of the event.

Ayotte shared the story of her husband, Joe Daley, opening a landscaping business after returning from military service without a job.

“I can tell you this, Joe did build his business,” Ayotte said, referring to Obama's “if you have a business, you didn't build that” remark.

The country needs a man like Romney who understands that big government is crushing small business, Ayotte said. She criticized Obama for requesting more time and offering more of the same while unemployment remains above 8 percent and people are giving up hope and leaving the workforce.

“Here's the thing, America does not have more time,” Ayotte said.

It's time to put the economy in the hands of someone like Mitt Romney who has had success as a businessman in the private sector and as a leader as governor of Massachusetts, Ayotte said.

“I say to New Hampshire, and I say to America, the President talks about bipartisan leadership. Mitt Romney has lived bipartisan leadership, and he can get the job done,” Ayotte said.

Mitt and Ann Romney took the stage amid chants of “Mitt, Mitt, Mitt” and “USA”.

Romney contrasted the visions set by the Republican and Democratic national conventions.

“My vision for America is to restore our principles that made our country the strongest in the world,” Romney said. He criticized an administration that equates large government with job creation, and he stressed the need to strengthen the private sector.

President Obama has given the country 43 straight months of unemployment in excess of 8 percent, Romney said. Lost middle-income jobs have been replaced with lower-paying jobs, resulting in a $5,000 drop in average income, he said. Frustrated job seekers are dropping out of the work force.

“Americans are tired of being tired,” Romney said. “These are tough times.”

Romney said the President must bear responsibility for the failure of his economic policies. Romney then outlined his economic plan to focus on domestic energy policies, open new trade markets, fix the educational system, cut spending while balancing the budget, and championing small businesses.

“If we do those five things, I know enough to know that we're going to see our economy take off again,” Romney said.

He said he would repeal Obamacare, citing a recent survey that said three-fourths of small businesses were less likely to hire because of the Affordable Care Act. However, Romney acknowledged that the health care system needs reforming to bring costs down.

He shared small-business success stories from his travels across the country and touted America's initiative and creative problem-solving spirit. Those attributes made America the most powerful economy in the world, he said.

Unlike Obama, Romney said he knows what it takes to make America strong again.

“You're going to see the economy come roaring back,” Romney said. “You're going to see his country strong again.”

jhanson@newstote.com