2012 Conventions live blog

3rd & 7 37yd

by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/29/2012 1:47:30 AM
Former Democrat Artur Davis takes the stage (with a podium)..
by Bakudannar 8/29/2012 1:48:22 AM
Cruz: "Entrepreneurs do." Sort of. As an entrepreneur myself, my goal is to create jobs under me, and put competitors out of business. My operations are more efficient, so for every American job I create, we lose 2 or 3 jobs in that industry.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 1:48:34 AM
In 2008, former Rep. Artur Davis seconded the nomination of Obama at the DNC. Tonight, at the RNC: "Some of you may know, the last time I spoke at a convention, it turned out I was in the wrong place. So, Tampa, my fellow Republicans, thank you for welcoming me."
by AK 8/29/2012 1:48:35 AM
The republican governors from WI, OH, VA have shown they are succeeding with their model as compared to Obamanomics. Good case studies on why Romney could do better than Obama at national level.
by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 8/29/2012 1:50:01 AM
YEP. That's the guy who put Obama's name in nomination (one of them) at the Dem convention 4 years ago.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 1:50:01 AM
Artur Davis was the answer to our trivia question earlier about who was co-chair of Obama's campaign in 2008 - now he's speaking at the GOP convention.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN via I2.cdn.turner 8/29/2012 1:50:08 AM
As we noted, U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz, a Texan, spoke without a podium. (Getty Images)
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 1:51:12 AM
Davis: "America is a land of second chances, and I gather you have room for the estimated 6 million of us who know we got it wrong in 2008 and who want to fix it. Maybe we should have known that night in Denver that things that begin with plywood Greek columns and artificial smoke typically don't end well. Maybe the Hollywood stars and the glamour blinded us a little. You thought it was the glare, some of us thought it was a halo."
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 1:51:14 AM
Watch Artur Davis' speech live now on CNN. He is a former four-team Democratic congressman - now speaking at the RNC.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 1:51:49 AM
Why did Artur Davis switch sides? Here's your answer.
by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/29/2012 1:52:33 AM
Earlier today, the Congressional Black Caucus chided Davis over his party switch. Fourteeen members signed a letter addressed to the former representative describing his transformation as a political ploy.

"Given the magnitude of your recent transformation, we can only conclude that, rather than a true conversion, your actions are the result of a nakedly personal and political calculation or simmering anguish after failing to secure the Democratic nomination for governor of the State of Alabama in 2010," wrote the members.

politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 1:53:28 AM
"Ask yourself if these Democrats still speak for you," says Artur Davis. He is speaking to Democrats and Independents watching on TV. Live now on CNN.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 1:54:55 AM
Davis, a Democrat in 2008, speaks to Democrats today from the GOP convention platform: "To those Democrats and independents whose minds are open to argument: listen closely to the Democratic Party that will gather in Charlotte and ask yourself if you ever hear your voice in the clamor. Ask yourself if these Democrats still speak for you. When they say we have a duty to grow government even when we ca not afford it, does it sound like compassion to you? Or does it sound like recklessness?"
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 1:55:58 AM
Artur Davis has some major praise for Bill Clinton and JFK. Then, he drops a Gotye reference. Ticker team - that is defintely the first RNC Gotye reference of all time, but how many times do speakers praise Clinton or JFK?
by Piers Morgan via twitter 8/29/2012 1:58:41 AM
Say what you like about @RickSantorum - but I bet he turns up at midnight. (Maybe tune in @MicheleBachmann if you're not too 'sick'..) #CNN
by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/29/2012 1:58:43 AM
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley takes the stage..
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:00:45 AM
Mitt and Ann Romney are in the building at the Republican National Convention. Ann Romney delivers an address to the delegates in the 10 p.m. hour. A preview of her remarks: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:02:08 AM
Erin Burnett says Ann Romney's speech is "going to paint a very personal portrait." Watch it live on CNN in just a few minutes.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:02:16 AM
Mitt Romney will watch Ann Romney's speech from backstage, a campaign aide says. They will watch Gov. Chris Christie's keynote address to the convention from their box in the convention hall, the aide said.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:02:45 AM
Gov. Nikki Haley is speaking live now on CNN. A "rising star," says Blitzer.
by Erin Burnett via twitter 8/29/2012 2:03:07 AM
.@arturdavis just gave a speech that so far is tops for rousing the #rnc crowd to cheers
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:03:53 AM
Nikki Haley is South Carolina's first female governor. Here's her acceptance speech....
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:03:56 AM
Nikki Haley is South Carolina's first female governor. Here's her acceptance speech....
by Gregory Wallace, CNN via I2.cdn.turner 8/29/2012 2:04:16 AM
Delegates on the convention floor. (William Walker/CNN)
by marir 8/29/2012 2:04:25 AM
I hope that there are Americans like myself who want change. We need Romney and Ryan.
by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/29/2012 2:04:46 AM
"Slighting American ingenuity and innovation. That's what this president has been to South Carolina," says Haley, adding Romney "is a man at peace with who he is."
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:05:05 AM
Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina calls Ann Romney "a perfect combination of strength and grace." Ann Romney speaks this hour. CNN's Rachel Streitfeld reported earlier today on Ann Romney's speech prep: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:05:21 AM
"Ann Romney makes all women proud," says Gov. Nikki Haley, introducing her now.
by cdixon12 8/29/2012 2:06:43 AM
Ready to hear Ann!
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:08:02 AM
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is currently in the convention VIP box, CNN's Adam Levy reports. Earlier, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton was in the box.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:08:13 AM
"Wives are so important," in presidential elections says Candy Crowley. We're about to hear from Ann Romney live on CNN.
by Alex Castellanos via twitter 8/29/2012 2:08:16 AM
not counting artur davis, whose star is rising now RT @TheFix: Nikki Haley was the best of the GOP rising stars tonight. #gop2012
by Wolf Blitzer via twitter 8/29/2012 2:08:37 AM
We're about to hear from Ann Romney and Chris Christie at the convention. Watch @CNN now.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:09:51 AM
Lucé Fortuño, the first lady of Puerto Rico, says she is the "rock of support to a great leader," her husband -- the role that Ann Romney, the convention's next speaker, would play in the White House, she says.
by Lisa Desjardins via twitter 8/29/2012 2:10:44 AM
NOW: Ann Romney about to speak.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:10:54 AM
Ann Romney has taken the stage to a large standing ovation. Watch her speech live on CNN.
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:11:50 AM
Fact on the CNN screen now: "Mitt and Ann Romney first met in elementary school."
by John King via twitter 8/29/2012 2:11:55 AM
Ann Romney on stage in #tampa. #cnnelections yfrog.com
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:12:17 AM
Ann Romney talks about Hurricane Isaac - hopes that all are safe and no lives are lost, no property is lost.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/29/2012 2:13:25 AM
Ann Romney: "I want to talk to you tonight not about politics and not about party. And while there are many important issues we'll hear discussed in this convention and throughout this campaign, tonight I want to talk to you from my heart about our hearts... Tonight I want to talk to you about love. I want to talk to you about the deep and abiding love I have for a man I met at a dance many years ago. And the profound love I have, and I know we share, for this country."
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:13:49 AM
It didn't take long - Ann Romney is trending on Twitter.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN via I2.cdn.turner 8/29/2012 2:14:32 AM
Before heading to the convention site, Mitt and Ann Romney were watching the RNC from their hotel. (Getty Images)
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 8/29/2012 2:14:32 AM
Speaking of family - earlier today, Ann Romney's sons talked about her.
by Donna Brazile via twitter 8/29/2012 2:14:51 AM
Ann Romney is speaking about love. #feel the love coming from this convention.
by Piers Morgan via twitter 8/29/2012 2:16:08 AM
EARLY VERDICT:
@AnnDRomney = #votewinner

Follow this Blog:

Twitter