FROM RNC TO DNC
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanAs Tampa begins getting back to it normal routine, Charlotte is preparing for the Democratic National Convention set to begin on Tuesday, September 4th through September 6th. The city is ready to take on the crowds of delegates, media and candidates themselves. All the events are set to take place at the Time Warner Cable Arena aside from the culmination of the convention which is the President’s and Vice President’s nomination acceptance speeches to be held at the Bank of America Stadium.
A portion of the convention is focusing on our youth. This past weekend, young Democratic leaders from all across the nation ranging from those students in elementary school to college journalists and correspondents, conducted pre-convention youth-oriented events as they looked back on President Obama’s term in office. They celebrated some of his accomplishments with enthusiasm such as the expansion of health care coverage to millions of young Americans, a light at the end of the tunnel for our military service personnel in Iraq and the attainment of affordability of college due to increasing the size of the Pell grant investment.
This Democratic convention boasts that it will be the most open and accessible in history through a myriad of digital means.
There will be a host of seasoned speakers building the momentum to the arrival of President Obama and Vice President Biden. Representation will be widespread including U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, Former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Former Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, Women’s Rights Activist Lilly Ledbetter and Obama’s Campaign Co-Chair, Eva Longoria as the list continues on. Performing on the final night will be the always entertaining Mary J. Blige and the talented group known as the Foo Fighters.
House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi, will lead a presentation of the women of the House. There will be a flurry of activity over the two days and for undecided voters, this is a chance to hear the agenda for the next four years if President Obama were to be re-elected.
Last week the Republicans got back on track after tropical storm Isaac put a damper on day one. There were some memorable moments as Anne Romney moved us with her speech targeting the working moms of the country and focusing on love.
Condoleezza Rice was another favorite who was sincere as she delivered her speech in a very heartfelt way.
Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Paul Ryan, gave us a look at who he was, his viewpoints, his visions, his record. Many critics agree that Ryan is leaning towards a free-market perspective. Will this be the proper approach should the Romney/Ryan team be elected into the White House?
We listened to Republican endorsements from Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Former Governor Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and a variety of other speakers including small business owners and voters, some who have known Romney from within the Mormon congregation for many years, as they tried to give us a glimpse into the candidate as a real person that we can relate to rather than just the politician.
The mystery speaker of the final evening events was long-time actor/director Clint Eastwood who at times stumbled with putting his thoughts into words and seemed to ramble on speaking to an empty chair as if it was Obama. We understand where the actor has been but where was he going with this strange performance? He received wide-eyed gazes from the audience and it seemed almost an eternity as he questioned the work of the Obama Administration. But then it was time for the spotlight to move on to the next speaker getting ever so closer to the speech of the evening.
The zealous and spirited Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, anticipated to be the Vice Presidential nominee at one point, introduced Mitt Romney by telling the American public that “Romney understands what makes America exceptional”. He seemed to be targeting all those voters still undecided on their selection by tempting them to make their decision for Mitt Romney for the future of our country. He highlighted Romney’s strong points and focused a bit on what has gone wrong in the last four years under Obama’s leadership, although not attacking the President as a person.
Finally, it was time for Mitt Romney himself to come up to the podium and accept the Presidential nomination. As he walked to the stage, he gave smiles and handshakes and hugs to the delegates along the way. His overriding theme for the acceptance speech focused on change to which he feels he holds that key. Romney wanted the public to see him as more humanistic and spoke lovingly about his parents, their long-standing relationship and his love for his family. He expressed that his number one priority will be to create jobs, a huge concern across the United States. The speech earned loud applause.
The lights dimmed and the festivities ended in Tampa. It may have swayed the decision of some undecided voters as others await what is in store at the Democratic National Convention set to take place this week in Charlotte, North Carolina.
November will be like the Nielsen Ratings of politics when a winning team is chosen to head to the White House for the next four years based on the events that take place during these two monumental conventions.
PHOTO CREDITS: A/P, Getty Images
