The heads of the Republican central committees in Blaine and Hill counties said the speech former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney gave Thursday when accepting the Republican presidential nomination did what it needed to. They said they are optimistic that he will defeat President Barack Obama in November's general election.

Richard Cronk, chair of the Blaine County Republican party, said Romney's speech showed his contrasts with Obama, especially on how he would approach the nation's economy, and that will give him the edge in the election.

"I think he has a really good shot (at winning),...