Romney Rises at RNC!

Featured Stories, Politics

In a long-awaited reception, Mitt Romney officially accepted the Republican nomination for candidate for President of the United States last night at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. As the crowd received the former Massachusetts governor with roaring applause, the atmosphere seemed more like that of an inauguration than of a convention. Like vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s speech, Romney’s acceptance speech was frequently interrupted by blasts of applause.

He said the core of America is families, faith and communities, saying that they are how we live our lives and why we live our lives.

“The strength and power and goodness of America have always been based on the strength and power and goodness of our communities, our families, and our faiths,”

he said. One of the recurring criticisms of the candidate has been his lack of emotion. Last night’s speech answered this charge and allowed the world to see a more personal side of the candidate.

Although the former governor made an appeal to voters’ pathos, showing an emotive personal side, the theme of the night was the economy, job creation, and getting the nation back to work. He also talked about Obama’s failed presidency, saying the country is not better off today than when he took office.

“His promises gave way to disappointment and division,”

he said,

“Hope and change had a powerful appeal. But tonight I would ask a simple question: if you felt that excitement when you voted for Barack Obama, shouldn’t you feel that way now, that he is President Obama? You know there is something wrong with the kind of job he has done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.”

While revitalizing the economy was the pointed theme, Romney threaded his talk together with an overwhelming sense of nationalism. He talked about American optimism and the entrepreneurial drive of our nation. Here, he recounted the early days of Bain Capital, highlighting the trials and tribulations in starting the business, but also talked about its success.

“That business we started with 10 people,”

he said,

“has now grown into a great American success story.”

Notably, Bain Capital helped turn around companies such as Staples, Dynamic Steel, and Bright Horizons, which Romney said was rightly praised by Michelle Obama.

It was one of the most powerful speeches the public has seen from the candidate and by the final section, the crowd was chanting USA so loudly, that Romney had to raise his voice over them as he said, “If I am elected president of these United States I will work with all my energy and soul to restore that America, to
lift our eyes to a better future.”

Following the speech, His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan delivered the final benediction. As president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan has been one of the leading voices against the HHS Mandate. Cardinal Dolan is also scheduled to deliver the benediction at the Democratic National Convention next week. Commenting on this, Cardinal Dolan said his intentions are pastoral, not political

Today, Romney and Paul Ryan travelled to Louisiana to inspect the damage from Hurricane Isaac and visit with victims.

The Democratic National begins next week in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Back to Top