Last Days on the Road with Romney by Christopher Morris

2 minute read

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.

Christopher Morris is a contract photographer for TIME.

Nov. 7, 2012. Ann Romney and Mitt Romney leave the stage of the Boston Convention Center after his concession speech.
Nov. 7, 2012. Ann Romney and Mitt Romney leave the stage of the Boston Convention Center after his concession speech.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Election Night, Boston Convention CenterNovember 6, 2012Gov. Romney and his supporters.
Nov. 7, 2012. Romney gives his concession speech to supporters gathered at the Boston Convention Center on election night.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 6, 2012. Supporters of Mitt Romney look on as they learn the results of the election at the Boston Convention Center.
Nov. 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 TIME
Nov. 5, 2012. Mitt and Ann Romney deplane at a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio.
Nov. 5, 2012. Mitt and Ann Romney deplane at a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 5, 2012. A bus at a campaign stop in Fairfax, Va.
Nov. 5, 2012. A bus at a campaign stop in Fairfax, Va. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 5, 2012. One day before the election, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns in Sanford, Fla.
Nov. 5, 2012. One day before the election, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns in Sanford, Fla. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 4, 2012. Bystanders at a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nov. 4, 2012. Bystanders at a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 4, 2012. A news correspondent at a Romney campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nov. 4, 2012. A news correspondent at a Romney campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 4, 2012. Audio-video preparation at a venue in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nov. 4, 2012. Audio-video preparation at a venue in Des Moines, Iowa. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 3, 2012. Secret Service at a Romney campaign in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Nov. 3, 2012. Secret Service at a Romney campaign in Colorado Springs, Colo.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 3, 2012. Romney campaigning in Portsmouth, N.H.
Nov. 3, 2012. Romney campaigning in Portsmouth, N.H.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 4, 2012. At a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nov. 4, 2012. At a Romney campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Romney campaigns in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a Romney campaign stop in West Allis, Wis.
Nov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a Romney campaign stop in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Listening to Romney speak at an event in Pataskala, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a stop in West Chester, Ohio.
Nov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd at a stop in West Chester, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Faces in the crowd in West Allis, Wis.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Nov. 2, 2012. Romney's sons (from left) Tagg, Matt, Josh and Craig watch their father in West Chester, Ohio.
Nov. 2, 2012. Romney's sons (from left) Tagg, Matt, Josh and Craig watch their father in West Chester, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 31, 2012. Security at a rally in Tampa.
Oct. 31, 2012. Security at a rally in Tampa. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 31, 2012. An onlooker at a Romney campaign stop in Tampa.
Oct. 31, 2012. An onlooker at a Romney campaign stop in Tampa.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 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.
Oct. 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 TIME
Oct. 30, 2012. Romney addressing the crowd in Kettering, Ohio.
Oct. 30, 2012. Romney addressing the crowd in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 30, 2012. Supplies donated to the Red Cross at a campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio.
Oct. 30, 2012. Supplies donated to the Red Cross at a campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 30, 2012. A journalist covering the campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio.
Oct. 30, 2012. A journalist covering the campaign stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 30, 2012. Pausing to use an iPad at a Romney event in Kettering, Ohio.
Oct. 30, 2012. Pausing to use an iPad at a Romney event in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 30, 2012. Carl Cameron, a Fox News correspondent, at a stop in Kettering, Ohio.
Oct. 30, 2012. Carl Cameron, a Fox News correspondent, at a stop in Kettering, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney and Ryan address the crowd in Celina, Ohio.
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney and Ryan address the crowd in Celina, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. In Findley, Ohio, a wide range of ages came out to hear Romney and Ryan speak.
Oct. 28, 2012. In Findley, Ohio, a wide range of ages came out to hear Romney and Ryan speak. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. A Romney security detail at a Celina, Ohio rally.
Oct. 28, 2012. A Romney security detail at a Celina, Ohio rally. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio.
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio.
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Marion, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 26, 2012. Before a Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Oct. 26, 2012. Before a Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Findley, Ohio.
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Findley, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Findley, Ohio.
Oct. 28, 2012. Faces in the crowd in Findley, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Marion, Ohio, nine days before the Presidential election.
Oct. 28, 2012. Romney speaking in Marion, Ohio, nine days before the Presidential election. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 27, 2012. Romney supporters in Land O' Lakes, Fla. stretched to high-five Romney as he left the rally.
Oct. 27, 2012. Romney supporters in Land O' Lakes, Fla. stretched to high-five Romney as he left the rally. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 27, 2012. Faces in the crowd during the rally in Land O’ Lakes, Fla.
Oct. 27, 2012. Faces in the crowd during the rally in Land O’ Lakes, Fla. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Oct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Oct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio.
Oct. 26, 2012. Faces in the crowd at the Romney-Ryan rally in Canton, Ohio. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com