The GOP wrapped up the 2012 Republican National Convention
Posted By RichC on September 1, 2012
The Republican National Convention was held this past week in Tampa, Florida and besides being shortened due to Hurricane Isaac, it was … in my opinion … a big success for Gov Mitt Romney and the Republicans. 
I watch many of the speeches during each of the three evenings and caught a few of the lessor names on news snippets. About the only disappointment was the speech by “mystery speaker” Clint Eastwood. I wanted to like it, but found it a little too edgy and even a bit offensive considering the audience – let’s just say that “it was odd.”
Standout speeches came from Mitt Romney’s wife Ann and VP pick Paul Ryan. Both were excellent and helped us learn a bit more about the candidate. Ann Romney was able to fill in some missing family history which highlighted Gov. Romney’s work ethic, intelligence, humility and love for family. Although many portrayed Mr. Romney as a “rich guy out of touch guy,” we learned that he was much more down to earth than expected and that he was certainly a self-made and ambitious businessman. Paul Ryan also was able to elucidate his family values and his ability to do the hard hitting expected of VP picks. He delivered the best line when he mention “staring up at fading Obama posters.”
We are four years into this presidency. The issue is not the economy that Barack Obama inherited, not the economy as he envisions, but this economy that we are living. College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life.
Governor Chris Christie was pretty good too, but like many pundits mentioned, he seemed focused on tooting his own horn rather than promoting Mitt Romney. On the other hand, Sen Marco Rubio was truly outstanding and surpassed my expectations … the Republican party definitely has some rising stars which has to make liberals squirm and conservatives ecstatic. Seeing the old guard step aside gave life back to the GOP and generated far more energy than when Senator John McCain ran in 2008 … except the juice generated by his lightening rod of a running mate, Gov Sarah Palin (noticeably absent this year I might add). Other stellar speeches were those given by Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Gov Susana Martinez, Gov Nikki Haley, former Sen Rick Santorum and Democrat turned Republican Artur Davis.
Romney’s speech was also “very good” … that’s on my scale of “poor to excellent” (my wife disagreed and said she’d rate it “excellent"). I thought he was able to show his human side, in part thanks to his wife’s speech and his many friends. Unfortunately he is not the gifted orator many would love to hear — not many can inspire like a Ronald Reagan or a Jack Kennedy. Frankly the “expectations” bar is pretty high. What he did say were many of the things traditional American wanted to hear. They want to believe things can and will be better and recognize the undelivered promises from President Obama who’s focus seems to be on everything except creating the milieu for private sector jobs. That message resonated when Romney personalized his “promise.”
President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans, and heal our planet. My promise … is to help you and your family.
Romney concluded with a 5 point version of his much criticized 59 point plan … one that most of us might have the attention span to read or hear.
- North America will be energy independent by 2020.
- Parents will be able to choose the school they want their children to attend.
- Establish new trade agreements with foreign nations, including enforceable provisions.
- Cut the deficit and put America on track to a balanced budget.
- Reducing taxes on businesses, simplifying and modernizing punitive business regulations, and both repealing, and finally, replacing, President Obama’s signature government health care program.
I know who I’ll be voting for this November as I don’t think we can survive 4 more years of President Obama’s big government policies and wasteful spending. I hope there are a few more like me who are growing tired of the dwindling “hope” and the wrong kind of “change.”
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