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→Wednesday, August 29: Edited section to remove redundance (multiple references to GM plant claim), removed one blog (theBlaze), and toned down language to be more encyclopedic in discussion or conservative response.~~~~
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====Wednesday, August 29====
====Wednesday, August 29====
[[File:House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan 2011.jpg|thumb|Paul Ryan]]
[[File:House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan 2011.jpg|thumb|Paul Ryan]]
Wednesday saw a speech from Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. The speech was widely challenged about the accuracy of some of Ryan's statements.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444772804577621551971442634.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/paul-ryan-fact-checking-media_n_1844085.html?ir=Media]</ref>The Associated Press criticized Ryan for taking "factual shortcuts".<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/FACT-CHECK-Ryan-takes-factual-shortcuts-in-speech-3826244.php AP Fact Check: Ryan Takes Factual Shortcuts in Speech]</ref> Ryan criticized Obama over claiming at an appearance at a GM plant in Jamesville, WI (Ryan's home town) that he would keep that plant open if he became President; the plant was closed at the end of the Bush presidency, and ceased operations in April 2009.<ref>WSJ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444772804577621551971442634.html Ryan's Comment on Plant Closing Draws Criticism]</ref><ref name="GuardianSpeech">James Antle, Michael Cohen and Jim Geraghty, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/30/paul-ryan-speech-rnc-panel-verdict Paul Ryan's speech to the RNC: panel verdict] (30 August 2012). ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref name="RyanPromises">Karen Tumulty, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/paul-ryan-takes-his-turn-in-the-gop-convention-spotlight/2012/08/29/d8f7f8b4-f1de-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html?hpid=z1 Paul Ryan promises GOP ‘won’t duck the tough issues’] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Sally Kohn, [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/#ixzz252BejeYA Paul Ryan’s speech in 3 words] (30 August 2012). ''Fox News''.</ref> The speech was widely criticized for being "misleading"<ref name="DefinitelyMisleading">Editorial Board, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mr-ryans-speech-effective-maybe-but-definitely-misleading/2012/08/30/a9b4e690-f227-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_story.html?hpid=z4 Mr. Ryan’s misleading speech] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Ryan Grim, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/paul-ryan-address_n_1841819.html Paul Ryan Address: Convention Speech Built On Demonstrably Misleading Assertions] (30 August 2012). ''The Huffington Post''.</ref><ref name="Brazen">Ezra Klein, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/30/a-not-very-truthful-speech-in-a-not-very-truthful-campaign/ A not-very-truthful speech in a not-very-truthful campaign] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref> and "dishonest".<ref name="Post-Truth">James Fallows, [http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/paul-ryan-and-the-post-truth-convention-speech/261775/ Paul Ryan and the Post-Truth Convention Speech] (30 August 2012). ''The Atlantic''.</ref><ref name="Brazen">Joan Walsh, [http://www.salon.com/2012/08/30/paul_ryans_brazen_lies/ Paul Ryan’s brazen lies] (30 August 2012). ''Salon''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Sally Kohn, [http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/106730/ryan-most-dishonest-convention-speech-five-lies-gm-medicare-deficit-medicaid Jonathan Cohn] (29 August 2012). ''The New Republic''.</ref> Several assertions were called "false".<ref name="VPSpin">[http://factcheck.org/2012/08/ryans-vp-spin/ Ryan’s VP Spin] (30 August 2012). ''FactCheck.org''.</ref> One concerned the statement that the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] cut $716bn from [[Medicare]], when it was $716bn in savings that Ryan had also included in his budget proposal.<ref name="Alarming">David Weigel, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_breakfast_table/features/2012/_2012_republican_national_convention/paul_ryan_s_speech_included_an_incredible_string_of_false_or_misleading_statements_.html Dispatches From the Republican National Convention] (29 August 2012). ''Slate''.</ref><ref name="BernsteinRyan">Jonathan Bernstein, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/paul-ryan-fails----the-truth/2012/08/29/bbfe1eac-f254-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_blog.html#pagebreak Paul Ryan fails -- the truth] (29 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Ryan also asserted that President Obama had "done nothing" when the [[National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform|Bowles-Simpson Commission]] had presented its report, although Ryan, a member of the Commission, had voted against the report.<ref name="RyanBets">Dan Amira, [http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/08/paul-ryan-rnc-speech-lies-fact-check.html Paul Ryan Bets on the Ignorance of America] (29 August 2012). ''Slate''.</ref><ref name="RyanConventionSpeech">Michael Tomasky, [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/30/michael-tomasky-on-paul-ryan-s-convention-speech-and-his-web-of-lies.html Michael Tomasky on Paul Ryan’s Convention Speech and His Web of Lies] (30 August 2012). ''The Daily Beast''.</ref> Ryan also criticized [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|the stimulus]] as "political patronage, corporate welfare and cronyism at their worst" and a waste of money, yet he had asked for stimulus funds for his district.<ref name="Reality">Jack Gillum, [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-oHGoQbH0RmoY7rNL47-I6BYziA?docId=dc7b2d4bcfab405989965fd9505a1aff FACT CHECK: Convention speakers stray from reality] (30 August 2012). ''Associated Press''.</ref><ref name="Foundation">Steve Benen, [http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/08/30/13566768-paul-ryan-stands-on-a-foundation-of-lies Paul Ryan stands on a foundation of lies] (30 August 2012). ''MSNBC''.</ref> Ryan also implied that a [[General Motors]] plant in Ryan's hometown of Janesville closed under President Obama, although it fully closed in April, 2009, only two months after Obama took office.<ref name="GMPlant">[http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/aug/29/paul-ryan/did-barack-obama-break-promise-keep-gm-plant-open/ Did Barack Obama break a promise to keep GM plant open?] (29 August 2012). ''PolitiFact''.</ref><ref name="5Biggest">Jason Easley, [http://www.politicususa.com/5-biggest-lies-paul-ryans-rnc-acceptance-speech.html The 5 Biggest Lies in Paul Ryan’s RNC Acceptance Speech] (30 August 2012). ''PoliticsUSA''.</ref> However, Ryan's assertion that the Obama campaign had promised to keep the Janesville plant open was judged to be accurate; it was also furthermore true that although the GM line ceased production in December 2008, the plant remained open producing [[Isuzu]] vehicles through 2009.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/30/politics/pol-fact-check-ryan-gm/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 CNN Fact Check: Did Ryan get Obama's GM speech right?] ''CNN.com'' (August 30, 2012). Retrieved August 31, 2012.</ref> Conservatives thoroughly disputed numerous other charges against the Ryan speech, noting that the fact-checkers (many of which took their talking points from progressive bloggers) did not do so much as disprove Ryan's assertions as much as they did accuse Ryan of hypocrisy.<ref>Roy, Avik. [http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/08/30/yes-paul-ryan-spoke-the-truth-about-obamas-fiscal-record/ Yes, Paul Ryan Spoke the Truth About Obama's Fiscal Record at the Republican Convention]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved August 31, 2012.</ref><ref>Holt, Mytheos (August 30, 2012). http://www.theblaze.com/stories/fact-checking-the-fact-checkers-heres-a-break-down-of-the-claims-bashing-paul-ryans-speech/ Fact-Checking the Fact-Checkers: Here‘s a Break Down of the Claims Bashing Paul Ryan’s Speech]. ''[[The Blaze (blog)|The Blaze]]''. Retrieved August 31, 2012.</ref>
Wednesday saw a speech from Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. The speech was widely challenged about the accuracy of some of Ryan's statements.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444772804577621551971442634.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/paul-ryan-fact-checking-media_n_1844085.html?ir=Media]</ref>The Associated Press criticized Ryan for taking "factual shortcuts".<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/FACT-CHECK-Ryan-takes-factual-shortcuts-in-speech-3826244.php AP Fact Check: Ryan Takes Factual Shortcuts in Speech]</ref> Ryan criticized Obama over claiming at an appearance at a GM plant in Jamesville, WI (Ryan's home town) that he would keep that plant open if he became President; the plant was closed at the end of the Bush presidency, and ceased operations in April 2009.<ref>WSJ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444772804577621551971442634.html Ryan's Comment on Plant Closing Draws Criticism]</ref><ref name="GuardianSpeech">James Antle, Michael Cohen and Jim Geraghty, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/30/paul-ryan-speech-rnc-panel-verdict Paul Ryan's speech to the RNC: panel verdict] (30 August 2012). ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref name="RyanPromises">Karen Tumulty, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/paul-ryan-takes-his-turn-in-the-gop-convention-spotlight/2012/08/29/d8f7f8b4-f1de-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html?hpid=z1 Paul Ryan promises GOP ‘won’t duck the tough issues’] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Sally Kohn, [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/#ixzz252BejeYA Paul Ryan’s speech in 3 words] (30 August 2012). ''Fox News''.</ref> The speech was widely criticized for being "misleading"<ref name="DefinitelyMisleading">Editorial Board, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mr-ryans-speech-effective-maybe-but-definitely-misleading/2012/08/30/a9b4e690-f227-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_story.html?hpid=z4 Mr. Ryan’s misleading speech] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Ryan Grim, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/paul-ryan-address_n_1841819.html Paul Ryan Address: Convention Speech Built On Demonstrably Misleading Assertions] (30 August 2012). ''The Huffington Post''.</ref><ref name="Brazen">Ezra Klein, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/30/a-not-very-truthful-speech-in-a-not-very-truthful-campaign/ A not-very-truthful speech in a not-very-truthful campaign] (30 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref> and "dishonest".<ref name="Post-Truth">James Fallows, [http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/paul-ryan-and-the-post-truth-convention-speech/261775/ Paul Ryan and the Post-Truth Convention Speech] (30 August 2012). ''The Atlantic''.</ref><ref name="Brazen">Joan Walsh, [http://www.salon.com/2012/08/30/paul_ryans_brazen_lies/ Paul Ryan’s brazen lies] (30 August 2012). ''Salon''.</ref><ref name="ThreeWords">Sally Kohn, [http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/106730/ryan-most-dishonest-convention-speech-five-lies-gm-medicare-deficit-medicaid Jonathan Cohn] (29 August 2012). ''The New Republic''.</ref> Several assertions were called "false".<ref name="VPSpin">[http://factcheck.org/2012/08/ryans-vp-spin/ Ryan’s VP Spin] (30 August 2012). ''FactCheck.org''.</ref> One concerned the statement that the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] cut $716bn from [[Medicare]], when it was $716bn in savings that Ryan had also included in his budget proposal.<ref name="Alarming">David Weigel, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_breakfast_table/features/2012/_2012_republican_national_convention/paul_ryan_s_speech_included_an_incredible_string_of_false_or_misleading_statements_.html Dispatches From the Republican National Convention] (29 August 2012). ''Slate''.</ref><ref name="BernsteinRyan">Jonathan Bernstein, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/paul-ryan-fails----the-truth/2012/08/29/bbfe1eac-f254-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_blog.html#pagebreak Paul Ryan fails -- the truth] (29 August 2012). ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Ryan also asserted that President Obama had "done nothing" when the [[National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform|Bowles-Simpson Commission]] had presented its report, although Ryan, a member of the Commission, had voted against the report.<ref name="RyanBets">Dan Amira, [http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/08/paul-ryan-rnc-speech-lies-fact-check.html Paul Ryan Bets on the Ignorance of America] (29 August 2012). ''Slate''.</ref><ref name="RyanConventionSpeech">Michael Tomasky, [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/30/michael-tomasky-on-paul-ryan-s-convention-speech-and-his-web-of-lies.html Michael Tomasky on Paul Ryan’s Convention Speech and His Web of Lies] (30 August 2012). ''The Daily Beast''.</ref> Ryan also criticized [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|the stimulus]] as "political patronage, corporate welfare and cronyism at their worst" and a waste of money, yet he had asked for stimulus funds for his district.<ref name="Reality">Jack Gillum, [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-oHGoQbH0RmoY7rNL47-I6BYziA?docId=dc7b2d4bcfab405989965fd9505a1aff FACT CHECK: Convention speakers stray from reality] (30 August 2012). ''Associated Press''.</ref><ref name="Foundation">Steve Benen, [http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/08/30/13566768-paul-ryan-stands-on-a-foundation-of-lies Paul Ryan stands on a foundation of lies] (30 August 2012). ''MSNBC''.</ref> Ryan also implied that a [[General Motors]] plant in Ryan's hometown of Janesville closed under President Obama, although it fully closed in April, 2009, only two months after Obama took office.<ref name="GMPlant">[http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/aug/29/paul-ryan/did-barack-obama-break-promise-keep-gm-plant-open/ Did Barack Obama break a promise to keep GM plant open?] (29 August 2012). ''PolitiFact''.</ref><ref name="5Biggest">Jason Easley, [http://www.politicususa.com/5-biggest-lies-paul-ryans-rnc-acceptance-speech.html The 5 Biggest Lies in Paul Ryan’s RNC Acceptance Speech] (30 August 2012). ''PoliticsUSA''.</ref> However, Ryan's assertion that the Obama campaign had promised to keep the Janesville plant open was judged to be accurate; it was also furthermore true that although the GM line ceased production in December 2008, the plant remained open producing [[Isuzu]] vehicles through 2009. However, GM had decided prior to Obama's tenure to close the remaining line as part of a phased closing of the entire plant.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/30/politics/pol-fact-check-ryan-gm/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 CNN Fact Check: Did Ryan get Obama's GM speech right?] ''CNN.com'' (August 30, 2012). Retrieved August 31, 2012.</ref> Some conservatives disputed charges against the Ryan speech, claiming that the fact-checkers did not disprove Ryan's assertions, but rather, accused Ryan of hypocrisy.<ref>Roy, Avik. [http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/08/30/yes-paul-ryan-spoke-the-truth-about-obamas-fiscal-record/ Yes, Paul Ryan Spoke the Truth About Obama's Fiscal Record at the Republican Convention]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved August 31, 2012.</ref>


*[[Mitch McConnell]], Republican Minority Leader of the Senate.
*[[Mitch McConnell]], Republican Minority Leader of the Senate.

Revision as of 16:30, 31 August 2012

2012 Republican National Convention
2012 presidential election
Nominees
Romney and Ryan
Convention
Date(s)August 27–30, 2012
CityTampa, Florida
VenueTampa Bay Times Forum
Keynote speakerChris Christie[1]
Candidates
Presidential nomineeFmr. Gov. Mitt Romney (MA)
Vice-presidential nomineeRep. Paul Ryan (WI)
Voting
Total delegates2,286[2]
Votes needed for nomination1,144 (absolute majority)
Results (president)Romney (MA): 2,061 (90.1%)
Paul (TX): 190 (8.3%)
Santorum (PA): 9 (0.39%)
Results (vice president)Ryan (WI): 100% (Acclamation)
Ballots1
‹ 2008 · 2016 ›
2012 U.S. presidential election
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Minor parties
Related races
← 2008 2012 2016 →

The 2012 Republican National Convention was a gathering of United States Republican Party members during which Delegates officially nominated Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan for President and Vice President of the United States, respectively, for the 2012 election. Prominent members of the party delivered speeches and discussed the convention theme, "A Better Future."[3]

The convention was held during the week of August 27, 2012, in Tampa, Florida,[4] at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The city, which expected demonstrations and possible vandalism, used a federal grant to bolster its police force in preparation.

Due to Hurricane Isaac, the convention came to order on Monday, August 27, and then immediately recessed until the afternoon on Tuesday. Officials revised the schedule Sunday, August 26.[5]

Background

Host Committee

On August 14, 2009, the Republican National Committee named a 13-person Site Selection Committee to start the process of selecting a host city for the 2012 convention.[6]

News reports in early 2010 indicated that Tampa as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, and Phoenix, Arizona, had been selected as finalist candidates for the convention site.[4][7][8] The decision was announced on May 12, 2010, when Tampa was selected as the host city.[9]

The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee was the official and federally designated Presidential Convention host committee for the 2012 Republican National Convention.[10] The Host Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to fund, manage and implement various functions in connection with the 2012 RNC Convention. The Host Committee was charged with raising $55,000,000 to pay for nearly all aspects of the Convention. The Host Committee was composed of prominent Florida business executives, civic leaders and other community leaders. The Host Committee is chaired by Al Austin and Ken Jones serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. [11][12]

Objectives and themes

See also: You didn't build that

The intent of the convention was to educate delegates, attendees, and the public about the party's platform and to nominate a candidate.[13] The convention theme is "A Better Future".[14] Each day also had its own theme: Monday's was "We Can Do Better"; Tuesday's was "We Built It"; Wednesday's was "We Can Change It"; and Thursday's was "We Believe in America." The choice of theme for Tuesday, "We Built It", has drawn comments as the Convention is being hosted in an arena that was built with public funds.[15][16][17][18] In addition to these daily themes, the RNC announced that it would present a series of informative policy workshops to be hosted by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and will be called "Newt University". These policy workshops were designed to "examine the convention’s daily themes in greater detail and give delegates an opportunity to dive deeper into those issues."[19]

A primary objective of the convention, described both as Romney's "biggest election hurdle," and as Romney's "most urgent task" of concern by top Republicans was to counter efforts to portray him as an out-of-touch elitist and to rehabilitate the image of his business career.[20]

The convention lasted from August 27 to August 30, 2012. According to the convention website, it hosted 2,286 delegates, 2,125 alternates, and 15,000 credentialed members of the media. The convention CEO was William D. Harris.[13]

Former Presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and former Vice President Dick Cheney all announced that they would not attend the convention.[21]

Security planning

The convention was designated as a National Special Security Event, which meant that ultimate authority over law enforcement went to the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security.[22] The federal government provided $50 million for Convention security.[23] Much of the money went to deputizing additional police. Other expenses included expanded surveillance technology and the purchase of a $296,496 armored SWAT vehicle.[24][25] Tampa Bay disclosed specifically that it had spent $1.18m on video linkages between ground police and helicopters.[26][27][28]

As of January, Tampa police were still deciding how to cordon off areas of the city to maintain tourism while keeping protests limited. Police Chief Jane Castor stated that although Harbour Island would not be off-limits to non-residents, "there will be some checkpoints."[29] The city has announced an estimated force of between 3000 and 4000 officers on each day of the convention.[28]

The city announced plans in early August to pay $16,500 to the Florida State Fairgrounds Authority, in exchange for police use of local fairgrounds as a command center.[30]

The convention

Platform

A committee, chaired by Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, met in Tampa to draft a party platform. On August 21, 2012, the committee released a 60-page document for approval at the convention. Policies include:

  • A Constitutional Amendment banning abortion, with no explicit exceptions for rape or incest.[31][32]
  • For Medicare: increase the age of eligibility and a shift to a defined contribution plan in which the government pays a fixed amount rather than cover an individual's costs.[32]
  • A new "guest worker" program; long-term detention for "dangerous but undeportable aliens".[33]
  • Increased transparency of the Federal Reserve via audits and investigating the viability of returning to a fixed value currency.[34]

On August 28, 2012, the first day of the national convention, co-chairs of the Platform Committee presented the final version to delegates. The toughly worded document was enthusiastically accepted.[35] Key elements of the Republican platform include Job Creation, Small Business, Taxes, Budget, Constitution, Marriage, Pro-Life, Education, Energy, Healthcare, Immigration, Voter Integrity, Internet/Technology/Space, and Defense. On national TV, co-chair Marsha Blackburn invited delegates and voters to go to the web and read the 2012 Republican election platform. The 50-page document concludes with a section on American Exceptionalism.[36][37]

Nominations

Main article: Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012

According to Fox News[38] and Associated Press delegate projections,[39] Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, clinched the Republican presidential nomination in the Texas primary on May 29, 2012 and became the party's presumptive nominee.[40] Two weeks before the convention, on August 11, Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate.[41] The decision makes Ryan the major parties' first vice presidential candidate from Wisconsin.[42]

Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich formally released their delegates in the week before the convention, but Ron Paul did not.

The traditional roll call of the states, which permits delegates to promote their home states, took place on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, the first full day of the convention.

Republican National Convention Presidential nominee vote, 2012
Candidate First Ballot Percentage
Mitt Romney 2,061 90.1%
Ron Paul 190 8.3%
Rick Santorum 9 0.39%
Michele Bachmann 1 0.04%
Jon Huntsman 1 0.04%
Buddy Roemer 1 0.04%
Abstain 13 0.57%
Unknown 8 0.35%
Uncommitted 1 0.04%
Undecided 1 0.04%
Totals 2,286 100.00%

Speakers

The original plan called for speeches on Monday, but due to Tropical Storm Isaac most of the Monday program was cancelled and all the main speakers were rescheduled to speak later at the convention.[43][44]

Ron Paul was offered a speech slot, under the conditions that the Romney campaign could pre-review his remarks and that he would fully endorse Romney for President.[45] Paul declined the offer, saying that he remained an "undecided voter".[46] Instead, a tribute video to Paul will be shown at the convention.[47] Paul explained that "It wouldn’t be my speech. That would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president."[48]

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, U.S. Representative from Washington State, served as the official convention host, speaking at the start of each night of the convention to provide the theme of the speeches for each evening.[49]

The most coveted speaking slot that was intended to close the Monday night program of the convention was scheduled to go to Ann Romney, Mitt Romney’s wife. But, since the major television networks had opted out on Monday's primetime coverage (prior to Monday's cancellation of activities), the schedule was changed, so she was scheduled to speak on Tuesday, August 28, with major media scheduled to cover the event, with an introduction by Lucé Vela Fortuño, the First Lady of Puerto Rico.[50] Ann Romney's task in her speech has been described as "to try to accomplish what the sharpest minds in Republican politics have failed to do: present her stiff and awkward husband as a likable guy."[51]

Other August 28 speakers included Governors John Kasich (Ohio), Nikki Haley (South Carolina), Bob McDonnell (Virginia), and Mary Fallin (Oklahoma). Ann and Mitt Romney arrived in Tampa on the 28th following three days in Boston, where Mitt Romney was preparing for his convention address.[52]

Monday, August 27

Due to Tropical Storm Isaac, the first day of the convention was cancelled, however, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus called the convention to order at 2:00 PM and started a "debt clock," before announcing a recess at 2:10 PM.[53]

Tuesday, August 28

On Tuesday afternoon, the bulk of the Maine delegates walked out of the convention in protest of the decision to replace 10 Ron Paul delegates with 10 Romney delegates.[54]

Ann Romney
Mia Love

Wednesday, August 29

Paul Ryan

Wednesday saw a speech from Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. The speech was widely challenged about the accuracy of some of Ryan's statements.[56][57]The Associated Press criticized Ryan for taking "factual shortcuts".[58] Ryan criticized Obama over claiming at an appearance at a GM plant in Jamesville, WI (Ryan's home town) that he would keep that plant open if he became President; the plant was closed at the end of the Bush presidency, and ceased operations in April 2009.[59][60][61][62] The speech was widely criticized for being "misleading"[63][62][64] and "dishonest".[65][64][62] Several assertions were called "false".[66] One concerned the statement that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act cut $716bn from Medicare, when it was $716bn in savings that Ryan had also included in his budget proposal.[67][68] Ryan also asserted that President Obama had "done nothing" when the Bowles-Simpson Commission had presented its report, although Ryan, a member of the Commission, had voted against the report.[69][70] Ryan also criticized the stimulus as "political patronage, corporate welfare and cronyism at their worst" and a waste of money, yet he had asked for stimulus funds for his district.[71][72] Ryan also implied that a General Motors plant in Ryan's hometown of Janesville closed under President Obama, although it fully closed in April, 2009, only two months after Obama took office.[73][74] However, Ryan's assertion that the Obama campaign had promised to keep the Janesville plant open was judged to be accurate; it was also furthermore true that although the GM line ceased production in December 2008, the plant remained open producing Isuzu vehicles through 2009. However, GM had decided prior to Obama's tenure to close the remaining line as part of a phased closing of the entire plant.[75] Some conservatives disputed charges against the Ryan speech, claiming that the fact-checkers did not disprove Ryan's assertions, but rather, accused Ryan of hypocrisy.[76]

Thursday, August 30

Protests

In October 2011, Tampa city officials began planning for anticipated protests, and discussions centered around small prior protests by the Occupy movement. According to former Tampa City Council member John Dingfelder, then the senior staff attorney for the mid-Florida office of the American Civil Liberties Union, the convention should expect to draw far more protestors and the city should plan on up to 10,000. Dingfelder encouraged the city to be proactive regarding where protests could occur and protestors could sleep. Tampa's Mayor Bob Buckhorn's response was "If they want a place to sleep, they can go home or to a hotel.... Just because they want to occupy something doesn't mean we are obligated to provide them with an opportunity to camp out in a public park or on a sidewalk."[80]

The city of Tampa has banned puppets from downtown during the convention, a decision which some puppet-makers say violates their civil liberties. Police claimed that puppets could be used to conceal weapons—at the 2000 RNC, charging a group of puppet-makers in Philadelphia with conspiracy to resist arrest.[81]

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) planned to hold a forum on free speech.[82]

In early August, the city announced plans to provide delegates and protestors alike with potable water and toilets.[83]

Various groups began demonstrating on July 27, in Tampa and Tallahassee as part of a one-month countdown to the convention, calling for "good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality and peace," emphasizing their feelings to prioritize people over corporate profits.[84]

On August 30, a few Code Pink protesters interrupted Mitt Romney's speech. They had managed not only to secure seats close to the stage, but also were able to sneak in a poster board pink sign.[85]

Impact

Prior to the convention, the city planned to cancel all trials occurring during the week of the convention, due to concerns about jurors moving in and out of the city. Various government operations will move to nearby suburban areas. One exception to this trend is predicted trials for arrested protesters, which will be presided over by "on-call judges." City officials say they are planning on fencing off some government buildings, but that it is the responsibility of businesses to defend their own buildings.[86]

The city paid $216,000 to the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority as compensation for the partial closure of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, a toll highway passing through Tampa's downtown and just north of the Tampa Bay Times Forum.[30]

Demand for hotel rooms[87] and rental cars[88] was expected to be particularly high.

Florida has some of the most lenient gun laws in the United States with 6.5% of adults licensed to carry concealed weapons.[89] Local governments in Florida are prohibited from having gun ordinances stricter than state law. While water guns have been banned during the week of the event, handguns will be permitted outside of the Convention Center.[90] Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn requested that authorities be allowed to ban guns from downtown Tampa during the convention.[91] Governor Rick Scott rejected the request.[89]

Although Tampa's numerous adult entertainment venues (such as strip clubs) had expected a large influx of business stemming from the large number of visitors, most of the venues in fact experienced steep shortfalls.[92]

Entertainment cancellations

The rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd had been scheduled Sunday to launch a series of concerts there that included Trace Adkins on Tuesday and Kid Rock on Wednesday. Organizers shut down all of Liberty Plaza on Sunday when it was decided Lynyrd Skynyrd wouldn't perform due to the weather. Lynyrd Skynyrd was also supposed to be part of the official convention proceedings on Monday. A spokesman for group didn't know if the band would be rescheduled or not.[93]

See also

References

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Preceded by
2008
Saint Paul, Minnesota 		Republican National Convention
Tampa, Florida 		Succeeded by
2016
Location TBD
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