NRD Editor’s Note: Each day, Bill Smith of ARRA News Service, provides us with special reports on what is happening down in Tampa. Each night, ALG staff participate in a live-chat of what is happening at the convention that you can participate in.
Tampa, FL — Bill Smith: Today the delegates to the RNC 2012 in Tampa, FL had free time to take advantage of special events, meetings, or to just rest up from the prior day or for the evening convention session and the potential party activities afterward. One of the after hour events for the RNC delegates and guests (at least the energetic younger ones) was put on by America Action Network and had Kid Rock and his band.
Earlier in the day, many delegates took advantage of events put on by the Heritage Foundation, Leadership Institute, the American Action Network, and others. Some participated in State specific activities. One event which I attended was the National Republican Liberty Caucus. Over 150 liberty minded delegates, political officials, and a few press attended educational sessions and a reception after the events. I was pleased to meet both young and old liberty minded warriors which included seven people from my state of Arkansas.
The Anti-Capitalist RNC 2012 Protesters continued their activity but for the most part things were quite as of this filing. Heritage Investigates has some great photos and comments on the groups. I drove around the general area and noted that the police presence was everywhere. Also, noticed police were posted at the schools and colleges and all officer was dressed in new uniforms and armed. I was wondering about the size of the Tampa police force. However, I found myself lost and asked a team of officers for direction. They were polite but said they could not assist me because they were from a county in the northern part of Florida. They directed me to a patrol group, two blocks away, who provided directions.
The RNC Convention convened for four hours starting at 7 PM. The theme of the evening was “We Can Change It.” Yesterday, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus told the media, “We want to remind Americans that we don’t have to settle for four more years of high unemployment, low pay and deep debt. We will devote Wednesday night to showing the country that Mitt Romney’s ‘Plan for a Stronger Middle Class’ will restore our country as the best place in the world to find a job, start a business or hire a worker.” The convention had several videos besides numerous non prime time speakers. One of the videos featured the two former Bush presidents.
Before the concluding speaker, there were two notable prime time speeches. One was by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the other by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, the first Hispanic female Governor in the history of the United States. There speeches as well as many others by women in the last two days have shredded the false claims by the Obama administration that there is a republican war with women.
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan ended the evening and focused on solving our nation’s economic problems and had the delegates on their feet. Ryan delivered a strong compelling indictment of the Obama administration, while remaining interesting, likeable, and often humorous and at times very personable opening windows to his life.
Bill Smith is the Editor of ARRA News Service and is a guest contributor to NetRightDaily.com.
