2012 Conventions live blog

3rd & 7 37yd

by Brooke Baldwin via twitter 8/28/2012 5:55:26 PM
It's @wolfblitzer and mini-Wolf. #iamaluckygal #cnngrill p.twimg.com
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:01:32 PM
The convention has now been called to order.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:03:06 PM
According to excerpts from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's speech Tuesday, he will say: "We need a President who will say to a small businesswoman: congratulations, we applaud your success, you did make that happen, you did build that!"
by Soledad O'Brien via twitter 8/28/2012 6:04:32 PM
RT @lovetheusaorlea: @bevysmith @Soledad_OBrien no matter how much she will lie about the truth concerning Obama is she part of his camp ...
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/28/2012 6:04:36 PM
The color guard today is the Fourth Degree Color Guard of the Knights of Columbus from Connecticut and Florida. Leading the Pledge of Allegiance is Former Montana Gov. Tim M. Babcock and Korean War Marine veteran Tom Hogan. Performing the national anthem is tenor Philip Alongi Jr. of New Jersey, who also performed at the party convention in 2008, according to the RNC.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/28/2012 6:08:37 PM
The invocation was delivered by Rabbi Meir Y. Soloveichik of New York City, according to the RNC.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:13:42 PM
Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, secretary of the Republican National Convention, reconvenes the event.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:15:11 PM
Per CNN's Shannon Travis: Ron Paul just came on the floor, thronged by supporters
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:18:48 PM
The California delegation requests that the RNC approve certain committees. The floor says "aye." The resolution is adopted, Priebus says.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:19:41 PM
Reince Priebus is instructing committees to gather on the floor.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/28/2012 6:33:08 PM
Sharon Day, co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, rallies delegates from the podium, "We know the problem, America: their names are Obama, Biden, Pelosi, and Holder. What they have done, and will continue to do, should Obama be re-elected runs contrary to the values we believe in and the principles we stand for."
by Dana Bash via twitter 8/28/2012 6:39:30 PM
About to intv @bwdaugherty a Ron paul delegate from Maine who is not happy. Tune in
by Wolf Blitzer via twitter edited by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 6:42:15 PM
W/ Romney sons from left to right: Ben, Matt, Tagg, Josh, Craig. Watch @CNNSitRoom 4PM ET yfrog.com
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:43:53 PM
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn welcomes delegates to the city. "I trust that you all will love our city, just as I do every single day."
by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/28/2012 6:50:10 PM
CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta caught up with Ron Paul on the convention floor.

Acosta: What’s your message?

Paul: Same message it’s been for 35 years.

Acosta: What do you think about this delegate controversy?

Paul: I think they’re expressing themselves well.

For more, watch CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” at 4 p.m.
">Ron Paul takes to convention floor
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/28/2012 6:54:36 PM
The chairman of the Tampa, Florida host committee, Al Austin, notes "I am pleased that Tampa Bay will no longer be the best kept secret in the world." CNN's Rob Yoon and Adam Levy note that this is Tampa's first national political convention (of either party), and the city to host the most total conventions is Chicago, with 25.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 6:59:29 PM
RNC takes a moment of silence for those who have passed since the 2008 Republican convention. Among those listed in a memorial video: Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, 1996 vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp, and Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:00:32 PM
Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas is at the podium. As chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Sessions is introducing several House candidates who will give short speeches.
by Gregory Wallace, CNN 8/28/2012 7:01:14 PM
Robert Gibbs, a senior adviser to Obama's reelection campaign, says to CNN's Brooke Baldwin of the president campaigning during the GOP convention, "I don't think he does downtime real well... I don't think you can keep him down."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:02:44 PM
House candidate Ricky Gill, who's running for Congress in California's 9th Congressional District: "We need a new generation of leadership to chart the path, to fight for policies that create jobs, rather than red tape."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:07:04 PM
House candidate Andy Barr, who's running for Congress in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, blasted what he called "Obama's war on coal."

"Rarely in history has a single industry been so ruthlessly attacked for so little regard for the people it hurts," he said.
by Dana Davidsen, CNN 8/28/2012 7:09:02 PM
According to excerpts from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus’ speech Tuesday, he will say: “Barack Obama thinks the government is at the center of the economic universe. He thinks that if you started a business, ‘You didn't build that.’

“Well, how would he know? President Obama's never run a company. He hasn't even run a garage sale or seen the inside of a lemonade stand. So it's time for a President with real experience in the real economy.”

“Mitt Romney will be that President.”
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:10:12 PM
House candidate David Rouzer is running for Congress in North Carolina's 7th Congressional District.

"Our country is at a crossroads. This election will determine whether we continue on the path of more spending, more debt and economic disaster--or whether we choose real solutions and return to the basic principles of free enterprise and limited government," he said at the podium.
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:14:44 PM
House candidate Mark Meadows, who's running for Congress in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District: "We need a president who believes in America. We have a nation that is too precious to give up on. We have a history that is too glorious to be forgotten. We have a Constitution that is too noble to be rewritten."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:20:19 PM
House candidate John Archer, who's running for Congress in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District: "We'll talk about getting government out from in-between patients and their doctors by repealing Obamacare--we can do better. And we will do better in Iowa and across this great nation by electing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the next president and vice president of the United States this November."
by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 7:21:48 PM
Paul Ryan to join Mitt Romney for a Republican National Convention farewell victory rally on Friday in Lakeland, Florida, according to a Romney Press Shop media advisory.
by Soledad O'Brien via twitter 8/28/2012 7:24:32 PM
CNN special on Hurricane Isaac airs tonite--Im on at 6p est. w latest preps and path
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:25:49 PM
Steve Daines, who's running for Montana's sole House seat: "Washington does not create jobs; the American people do."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:28:50 PM
Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah blasted President Obama's proposal to raise taxes on households making more than $250,000, saying "This is not the American dream. Our nation is not just one good tax increase away from prosperity."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:30:44 PM
Rep. Tim Scott of South Carolina, known as a tea party favorite, said he had a "heartfelt message" from the people of his state: "Hit the road, Jack. And don't you come back no more, no more."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:32:57 PM
Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin: "If you voted for Obama and you have buyer's remorse, let me tell ya, Mitt Romney is the hope and Paul Ryan is the change. A vote for Romney-Ryan is a vote for the dream ticket. A dream ticket that will end the Obama economic nightmare."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:37:23 PM
Rep. Tim Griffin of Arkansas: "We can't afford to rehire someone with a bankrupt vision and a failed plan. This moment in history is too big...Like a man who's lost and won't ask for directions, President Obama has no earthly idea how to solve this country's problem."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:40:38 PM
Senate candidate Deb Fischer of Nebraska, who won a competitive GOP primary in May, said the Obama administration has been "out of touch" with the American people. "We're on track to become the first generation that passes on fewer opportunities to the next. And that is unacceptable."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:44:08 PM
Rep. Rick Berg, who's running for Senate in North Dakota against Democrat Heidi Heitkamp, pointed to his state as an example of a strong economy. "We trust the individual--not big government--to make decisions," he said, later adding: "This is the North Dakota way and it works."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:46:20 PM
State Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia, deputy permanent co-chair of the convention, said Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will be "unapologetic in championing the American Dream."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:49:01 PM
Rae Lynne Chornenky, president of the National Federation of Republican Women: "We hear a lot from the media about the Republicans' so-called war against women. Well, which war? Which women? Is it the 850,000 women who have lost their jobs under President Obama?... If there is a war against women, it is President Obama who has waged it. Join us in restoring sanity in our government by electing Gov. Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:50:29 PM
Alex Schriver, chairman of College Republicans: "At the end of the day, Barack Obama has failed young Americans. We're out of jobs, we're out of hope and we're out of change. Our generation can do better. My generation deserves better."
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:54:24 PM
Oklahoma City Mick Cornett, president of Republican Mayors and Local Officials, said the country needs the economic "policies that Mitt Romney will deliver as the next president of the United States."
by Dana Bash via twitter edited by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 7:57:31 PM
MAine delegate for Ron paul just told me he will walk off the floor if their concerns about rules arent addressed
by Peter Hamby via twitter edited by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 7:57:33 PM
Delegate spat isn't just a Ron Paul issue, folks - it's old guard RNC membership cranky about rules changes
by CNN's Ashley Killough 8/28/2012 7:58:24 PM
Lisa Stickan, chairwoman of the Young Republicans: "There is a war on young people, a war on paychecks and a war on our ability to succeed. We are working to build our own businesses, struggling to pay our own way, only to learn--according to this president--we didn't build it."
by Gregory Wallace, CNN via I2.cdn.turner edited by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 7:59:13 PM
As candidates for Congress and other offices speak, convention organizers are customizing the podium screens behind them, such as this cornfield for congressional candidate Jackie Walorski of Indiana.
by Piers Morgan via twitter 8/28/2012 8:00:22 PM
I don't think this lot are going to make it past the Secret Service.... #GOP2012 #Tampa p.twimg.com
by CNN's Ashley Killough edited by Tim.McCaughan, CNN 8/28/2012 8:01:46 PM
LIVE: The first full day of activities at the Republican National Convention gets under way in Tampa, Florida. Watch here
by John King via twitter 8/28/2012 8:13:06 PM
The primary map that makes this @mittromney's convention & Republican Party. #tampa #cnnelections instagr.am

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