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'http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/31/politics/pol-fact-check-romney-kids-future/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']); EDITION:  INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV:   CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport /* STRUCTURE */.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh1 { position:relative; height:74px; overflow:hidden; width:980px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgebot { height:3px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh2 { padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh5 { float:right;margin:30px 10px 0 0;display:inline; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh20 { padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspccvh6 { position:relative; height:74px; left:0; width:270px; margin-left:370px; overflow:hidden; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspccvh6 a { display:block; height:74px; margin:0 auto; width:270px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_txtbnr .cnn_stryspccvh6 { display:none; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_nolink a { cursor:default; }/* TYPOGRAPHY & COLORS */.cnn_stryspccvrgebot { background:#e6e6e6; font-size:1px; line-height:1px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh2 { font:bold 10px/12px arial; color:#666; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh3 { font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight:bold; font-size:18px; line-height:21px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh5 { text-align:right; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspccvh6 { text-align:center; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_nolink a { color:#000; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_nolink a:hover { color:#000; }/* IMAGES */.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr { background:#fff url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bg_speccov_hdr.gif) 0px 0px repeat-x; height:74px; overflow:hidden; width:980px; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_stryspcvh1 { background:url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/ssi/story/3.0/banner/election.2012.inc/header.gif) 50% 20px no-repeat; }.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr .cnn_txtbnr { background:none; }Part of complete coverage onElection Center Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo CNN Fact Check: Most Americans think today's kids will do worse?By the CNN Wire StaffAugust 31, 2012 -- Updated 1003 GMT (1803 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(113);expGalleryPT00.setAdsRefreshCount(3);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Republican convention: The best photos", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}Presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivers his acceptance speech on the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Thursday, August 30.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Attendees celebrate as confetti and balloons drop after Romney's speech.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan take the stage with their families at the end of the night.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}People bow their heads for the benediction to wrap up the GOP convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Romney and Ryan wave to the audience after Romney's speech, which described a future of opportunity and promise for the nation.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Romney greets supporters as he enters the arena Thursday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Florida Sen. Marco Rubio introduces Romney after his speech.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates wave signs on the final day of the RNC.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"} Actor Clint Eastwood speaks as a surprise guest.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, and son Josh sit in the VIP box.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks on stage.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":11,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A man holds an American flag in the audience.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":12,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Pam Finlayson speaks during the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":13,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Jane Edmonds, the former Massachusetts secretary of workforce, delivers remarks.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":14,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Olympians and gold medalists Michael Eruzione, Derek Parra and Kim Rhode stand on stage at the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":15,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman clasps her hands during the program.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":16,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and his wife, Callista, speak during a tribute to former president Ronald Reagan on Thursday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":17,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Callista and Newt Gingrich take the stage during the final day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":18,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates listen to the national anthem at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":19,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Texas Gov. Rick Perry applauds during the final day of the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":20,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Florida, speaks on stage during the final day.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":21,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Law enforcement officials work to free protesters with Earth First, who had connected themselves to each other in front of the Big Bend TECO Power Station in Apollo Beach, Florida. Substantially fewer protesters took to the downtown Tampa streets Thursday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":22,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":23,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Paul Ryan's wife, Janna, is flanked by her sons Charlie, left, and Sam during Ryan's keynote address Wednesday night.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":24,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman grasps her hands during speeches on the third day of the GOP convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":25,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Paul Ryan and his wife and children exit the stage after the biggest speech of his political career.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":26,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Wednesday. She accused President Barack Obama of yielding the nation's leadership role in the world.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":27,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}George Engelbach, dressed as President Abraham Lincoln, attends the GOP convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":28,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Mike Huckabee, a Republican candidate in the 2008 presidential primaries, backs his one-time rival Mitt Romney.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":29,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman snaps an image with her iPhone during Wednesday night's events.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":30,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty takes the convention stage.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":31,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegate Carlos Mendez of Puerto Rico watches Wednesday night's program.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":32,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez delivers remarks. Her speech emphasized her belief in the American Dream.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":33,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegate Crystal Berg of Hartford, Wisconsin, cries while watching the George H.W. Bush tribute Wednesday night.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":34,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, speaks to the audience.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":35,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}As Sen. John McCain speaks, some audience members display happy birthday posters.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":36,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Sen. John McCain, who was a POW during the Vietnam War, addresses the crowd.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":37,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":38,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Col.Oscar Poole of Georgia puts his arm around Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":39,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention. His father, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, was one of the hopefuls for the 2012 nomination.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":40,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former President George W. Bush is shown on the giant screens at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":41,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman gestures during the third day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":42,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Rosemary Edwards of Austin, Texas, kisses the face of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":43,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Sen. John Thune of South Dakota speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":44,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman holds a campaign sign.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":45,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio speaks at the podium.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":46,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates from Maine and supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul chant "As Maine goes, so goes the nation" after they staged a walkout at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":47,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Paul Ryan speaks during a soundcheck Wednesday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":48,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ryan waves with daughter, Liza Ryan, and sons, Charlie Ryan, right, and Sam Ryan from the stage during a soundcheck.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":49,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney exits a vehicle before boarding his campaign plane. As the Republican National Convention continues, Romney will travel to Indianapolis to address the American Legion. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":50,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Laura Bowman accepts Bradley Thompson's proposal on the stage. Thompson is a production manager and Bowman is a production coordinator for the convention. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":51,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Arizona Sen. John McCain walks the floor.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":52,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Bradley Thompson kneels down to propose to Laura Bowman, who accepted, on the stage. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":53,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Journalists and media work the third day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":54,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ryan gives the thumbs-up during a sound check at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":55,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ann Romney, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife, greets a crowd of supporters on Tuesday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":56,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Mitt Romney joins his wife on stage shortly after she addressed the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Tuesday, August 28. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":57,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers the keynote address to wrap up the first full night of the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":58,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney sits between his wife, Ann, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during Gov. Chris Christie's speech.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":59,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Concluding the first night of speech, Chris Christie declared Republicans were willing to face the tough issues and find solutions that work.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":60,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates watch Gov. Chris Christie deliver the keynote address.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":61,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A delegate snaps a photograph of Chris Christie just before his speech.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":62,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}As the crowd cheers, Mitt Romney embraces his wife, Ann, on stage during the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":63,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}An excerpt from Ann Romney's speech is displayed on a teleprompter Tuesday. She repeatedly referred to her first date with Mitt Romney in urging Americans to trust him to fix the nation's problems.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":64,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A veteran claps during Ann Romney's speech.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":65,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ann Romney addresses the crowd in the biggest political speech of her life. She concluded by declaring "you can trust Mitt."cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":66,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum addresses the crowd Tuesday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":67,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Leslie Jones of Virginia Beach, Virginia, wears a hat with tea bags attached.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":68,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ohio Gov. John Kasich waves as he takes the stage.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":69,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich walks the floor.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":70,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}American pop opera singer Neal E. Boyd performs at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":71,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}American country and gospel vocal quartet Oak Ridge Boys perform.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":72,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, who is running for the U.S. Senate, speaks.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":73,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley waves on stage.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":74,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former U.S. Rep. Artur Davis speaks. He changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican earlier this year.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":75,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates crowd the floor after the tallying of votes during the roll call for nomination of president of the United States at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":76,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates display signs in support of Mitt Romney after the tallying of votes during the roll call for nomination of president of the United States.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":77,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Scott Romney, brother of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, cheers during the roll call.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":78,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}People cheer as the screen displays "Over The Top" during the roll call of delegates.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":79,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Supporters flash posters supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":80,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}People hold signs that say "Mitt!" as U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, speaks.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":81,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Delegates from host state Florida face photographers and cameras as they pose for the official convention photograph.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":82,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A delegate takes a picture of the floor at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":83,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ann Romney, Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's wife, stands onstage with stage manager Howard Kolins during a soundcheck.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":84,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}People from the Texas delegation say the Pledge of Allegiance.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":85,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A delegate from Wisconsin sports a cheese hat at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":86,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Ann Romney leans on a seat aboard the campaign plane en route to Tampa.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":87,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Karl Rove, former deputychief of staff and senior policy adviser to President George W. 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Organizers pushed events back a day because of concerns about Isaac.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":93,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}The Republican National Convention officially began Monday, August 27, but the bulk of the action was delayed until Tuesday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":94,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A woman captures the goings-on with her phone before the start of the shortened first day of the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":95,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, convenes the convention with a bang of a gavel.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":96,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Priebus raises the gavel as he convenes the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":97,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Lynne David walks behind a group of law enforcement officers as they patrol the streets before the convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":98,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}New Jersey Gov. 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John Sununu, left, stands at the podium with stage manager Howard Kolins before events begin Monday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":104,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Men wearing cowboy hats stand on the arena floor before the start of the abbreviated first day.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":105,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Convention staff hang a Romney-Ryan sign at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Sunday, August 26, in preparation for the Republican National Convention.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":106,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}A tribute to NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong, who died Saturday, August 25, is displayed at the GOP convention as preparations continue.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":107,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Donald Trump, who accepted the Statesman of the Year Award from the Sarasota County Republican Party, answers questions in Sarasota, Florida.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":108,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos "}A microphone is in place at the front of the convention hall in Tampa.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":109,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul speaks in the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Sunday.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":110,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Activists hold signs mocking President Barack Obama at the Tea Party Unity Rally at The River at Tampa Bay Church.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":111,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Police officers question protesters carrying an effigy of Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a demonstration in downtown Tampa.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":112,"title":"Republican convention: The best photos"}Rachel Bolch Thach tries to shelter herself from the rain in Tampa. 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typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Republican convention: The best photos ");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSMitt Romney says most Americans "for the first time" doubt that children will have better future than themSome polls indeed have shown this level of doubt since 2009But majority pessimism isn't unheard of; Pew Research Center recorded it in 1996

(CNN) -- Mitt Romney says that after more than three years of a Barack Obama presidency, the United States is uncharacteristically pessimistic about the future of its children.

The GOP presidential nominee said Thursday at the Republican National Convention that America's immigrants would always arrive confident that they could build a better life, and "that in America their children would be more blessed than they."

"But today, four years from the excitement of the last election, for the first time, the majority of Americans now doubt that our children will have a better future," Romney said.

The facts:

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But these results aren't unheard of. A poll also showed this type of result some 16 years ago.

Let's start with the more recent surveys.

Consider this set of four Rasmussen Reports polls, from January 2009 to this year.

January 2009: 47% said today's children wouldn't be better off than their parents.

October 2009: 62% said so.

March 2011: 60%

July 2012: 65%

The question for the July 2012 Rasmussen poll was: "Will today's children be better off than their parents?" The national survey of 1,000 adults had an error margin of +/- 3%.

Similarly, an April 2011 Gallup/USA Today poll had the pessimists in the majority, with 55% saying it was either somewhat unlikely or very unlikely that "today's youth" will have a better life than their parents.

Here's how those Gallup/USA Today numbers looked from 2008 to 2011 (sample of 1,013 adults, with a +/ 4% margin of error):

February 2008: 33% somewhat/very unlikely

December 2008: 42%

March 2009: 40%

January 2010: 38%

October 2010: 48%

April 2011: 55%

Gallup also keeps a collection of older, CBS News/New York Times poll results that used the same question:

October 1996: 42%

January 1998: 34%

December 2001: 27%

January 2003: 31%

Reports of majority pessimism, however, are not unique to the last three years. The Pew Research Center reported it in 1996, and near-majority pessimism in 2002 and 2006.

Here are some Pew results:

1996: 55% said children will be worse off.

1999: 36%

2002: 50%

2006: 50%

The 2002/2006 Pew surveys asked: "When children today in the U.S. grow up, do you think they will be better off or worse off than people are now?" The 2006 survey polled 2,250 people and had a margin error of +/- 2%.

The 1996 and 1999 surveys asked: "Looking to the future, do you think most children in this country will grow up to be better off or worse off than their parents."

Conclusion:

Surveys in the past three years, from two different organizations, show the majority of respondents don't expect today's children to be better off than their parents. But a poll from a third organization also showed this level of attitude back in 1996.

CNN's Jason Hanna and Emily Smith contributed to this report.

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