Mitt Romney rally features John McCain, with a touch of Angelina Jolie and Goldilocks

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Mitt Romney’s rallies don’t often feature famous actors. His stump speech doesn’t normally include a reference to Angelina Jolie, and he rarely compares Newt Gingrich to Goldilocks (saying the former House speaker wants his debate crowds, not his porridge, to be “just right”).

This morning, under a beaming sun and a burgeoning crowd, Romney used all three.

Joined by actor Jon Voight – as well as Senator John McCain and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell – the former Massachusetts governor came to the Fish House restaurant here in this military-heavy region on Florida’s panhandle. Their No. 1 target was President Obama.

“We need to underscore just how different the president’s view is about our military,” Romney said. “I think he has a view that America is in decline, and that the best course for America is to appease and accommodate the worst actors in the world. ... He opens a hand to them.

“You know, the foreign policy of ‘pretty please’ is not working terribly well,” Romney added.

Romney also said that while Obama is considering cutting 100,000 active duty personnel from the military, he would add 100,000 if he’s elected.

Voight also did not mince words, criticizing both Obama and Gingrich.

“He is strong, honest, and wants to bring the country back to its exceptional place – where we have been for hundreds and hundreds of years before President Obama decided to follow his father’s footsteps and take us to socialism,” Voight said.

“I’m sorry to say, speaker Gingrich may fall short in many ways,” he added. “Please join me to bring in Governor Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States.”

Romney and his surrogates have been increasing the rhetoric on Gingrich. Romney’s campaign this morning released a television ad called “History Lesson.” The entire ad is a broadcast from Tom Brokaw on the day that Gingrich was reprimanded for House ethics violations.

“You know, I do not understand. I do not understand – do you? – why anyone would attack a person who’s successful in business, in the free enterprise system!” McCain said of previous attacks from Gingrich. “That is a sign of desperation. A desperate candidate is a candidate who attacks someone who succeeds in the free enterprise system.”

McCain, who was once stationed at the Navy base nearby and wore his Navy cap this morning, delivered what at times felt like a stand-up comedy routine.

“That was quite a repartee, senator!” Romney said upon taking the stage. “That was fabulous!”

Romney then turned to Voight.

“I didn’t know how to sort of chit-chat with a famous actor like that,” Romney said. “I said, talking about my five boys, ‘You know it’s easier to raise boys than girls.’ Long pause. He says, ‘Tell me about it.’”

Voight’s daughter is Jolie.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.