Mitt Romney appeals to black voters in NAACP speech

— -- Mitt Romney will offer a direct appeal to African-American voters on Wednesday, arguing in a speech at the NAACP's annual meeting that the black community has been hardest hit by the bad economy and that, if elected, he'll seek to improve the quality of life for all Americans, regardless of color.

According to speech excerpts released by his campaign, Romney will acknowledge "barriers" still exist for black Americans even after President Barack Obama became the nation's first black president. He'll argue the struggling economy has only enhanced those "challenges" and "old inequities."

"If equal opportunity in America were an accomplished fact, then a chronically bad economy would be equally bad for everyone," Romney will say, according to his campaign. "Instead, it's worse for African Americans in almost every way."

At 14.4 percent, unemployment among black Americans is much higher than the 8.2 percent national average, while the average income and median family income for African Americans is much lower, Romney will note.

While Romney does not expect to win the black vote, the Republican nominee's NAACP speech is aimed at showing he's at least trying. As he regularly does on the campaign trail, Romney will cite his experience as governor of Massachusetts to prove he hasn't led by "just talking to Republicans" and that he'll be an inclusive president.

"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," Romney will say. "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."

If he didn't believe his policies would help "families of color" and all Americans more than Obama's, Romney will say, "I would not be running for president."

Romney will also appeal to the NAACP audience by touting his proposal to increase school choice. The GOP nominee has repeatedly described education as the "civil rights issue of our era."

"If equal opportunity in America were an accomplished fact, black families could send their sons and daughters to public schools that truly offer the hope of a better life," Romney will say. "Instead, for generations, the African-American community has been waiting and waiting for that promise to be kept. Today, black children are 17 percent of students nationwide--but they are 42 percent of the students in our worst-performing schools."

As his campaign readily acknowledges, Romney faces an uphill battle in appealing to black voters. The latest Quinnipiac poll found Obama leads Romney 92 percent to 2 percent among African Americans.