On Tuesday, Mitt Romney will conclude a nearly six-year campaign journey for the White House — and his supporters, as Christopher Morris’ latest photo essay reveals, could not be more earnest or more ready. The former Massachusetts Governor launched his first presidential bid in February 2007, and his second in June, 2011 — now the polls are tight and battleground states like Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Florida hang in the balance. Even though Hurricane Sandy disrupted the campaign flow in its final days, Republicans continue to hope that Romney’s earlier momentum and economic vision will win him the 270 electoral votes needed to take the oath of office in January.
Photojournalist Christopher Morris spent the last week of the campaign photographing Romney on the trail for TIME. He first photographed the Republican nominee back in the New Hampshire primary and has witnessed his journey to the upcoming finale. Last week he crisscrossed the country with the campaign, from Canton and Kettering, Ohio, to Tampa and Land O’Lakes, Fla.
Morris trains his lens on the voters rallying with great expectations to Romney’s side. Their anticipation and determination can almost be physically felt. Many politicos have summed this election up as two men and two parties with very different visions for America’s future, and Morris’ images capture just how deep this divide plunges. “I was a bit taken back by the strong division in the country, with a palpable disdain and hatred for President Obama by the crowds at the Romney events,” says Morris, who covered the George W. Bush’s two terms in the White House. “Having covered Gore, Kerry, Bush, and McCain, I’ve never quite seen it like this.”
Morris produced My America, a look at Republican nationalism in the country during George W. Bush’s terms. Later this month, Steidl will release Morris’ new book Americans, which further examines a nation in divide.
Nov. 7, 2012. Ann Romney and Mitt Romney leave the stage of the Boston Convention Center after his concession speech.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 7, 2012. Romney gives his concession speech to supporters gathered at the Boston Convention Center on election night.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 6, 2012. Supporters of Mitt Romney look on as they learn the results of the election at the Boston Convention Center.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 5, 2012. Mitt and Ann Romney deplane at a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 5, 2012. A bus at a campaign stop in Fairfax, Va. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 5, 2012. One day before the election, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns in Sanford, Fla. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 4, 2012. Bystanders at a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 4, 2012. A news correspondent at a Romney campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 4, 2012. Audio-video preparation at a venue in Des Moines, Iowa. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 3, 2012. Secret Service at a Romney campaign in Colorado Springs, Colo.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 3, 2012. Romney campaigning in Portsmouth, N.H.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 4, 2012. At a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Romney campaigns in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a Romney campaign stop in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Listening to Romney speak at an event in Pataskala, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a stop in West Chester, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENov. 2, 2012. Romney's sons (from left) Tagg, Matt, Josh and Craig watch their father in West Chester, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 31, 2012. Security at a rally in Tampa. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 31, 2012. An onlooker at a Romney campaign stop in Tampa.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 31, 2012. Waiting for the candidate to arrive at an event in Tampa, attended by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Senator Rubio and Connie Mack. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 30, 2012. Romney addressing the crowd in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 30, 2012. Supplies donated to the Red Cross at a campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 30, 2012. A journalist covering the campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 30, 2012. Pausing to use an iPad at a Romney event in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 30, 2012. Carl Cameron, a Fox News correspondent, at a stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Romney and Ryan address the crowd in Celina, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. In Findley, Ohio, a wide range of ages came out to hear Romney and Ryan speak. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. A Romney security detail at a Celina, Ohio rally. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 26, 2012. Before a Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Findley, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Findley, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Marion, Ohio, nine days before the Presidential election. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 27, 2012. Romney supporters in Land O' Lakes, Fla. stretched to high-five Romney as he left the rally. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 27, 2012. Faces in the crowd during the rally in Land O’ Lakes, Fla. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEOct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
