Photos from Thursday night at the GOP convention in Tampa.
September 3, 2012The Democrats got to bat in the bottom of the ninth this election year and they took the opportunity to rebut the efforts of the Republicans from the week before. Here are photos from Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention, the night that marks the real beginning of the campaign for many voters.
Security at the GOP convention was the most intense of any we have ever experienced covering big events. One constant was the sound of helicopter rotor blades ovehead, such as these on a Coast Guard helicopter hovering near the Tampa Convention Center.
It's not just President Obama who uses a teleprompter. Republicans use it, too. The question is, would Abraham Lincoln have used the teleprompter at Gettysburg?
Rather than enter from backstage like all of the other speakers, Mitt Romney took the stage after entering the hall down an aisle from within the crowd. The fact that his entrance reminded one of the president entering the House chamber for a State of the Union address was probably just a coincidence.
This group of delegates from deep blue Massachusetts was on its feet for most of the evening Thursday.
Enthusiasm was not a problem for this delegate from Michigan.
The concluding evening of the 2012 GOP convention got underway with the posting of the colors by a multi-branch military color guard.
Newt Gingrich, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for the GOP nomination, addresses the Thursday night GOP convention crowd together with his wife, Calista.
This delegate from Michigan listens intently to the address of former Florida governor Jeb Bush.
The Gingrich's were followed immediately by former Florida Republican governor Jeb Bush.
Season five American Idol winner Taylor Hicks performed "Takin' it to the Streets" between speakers Thursday night at the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa.
Was it the disjointed, stream-of-conscious rambling of an octogenarian or was it the tradecraft of a master actor and film director? Clint Eastwood's remarks on Thursday night at the GOP convention finale left many scratching their heads.
One's status in the galaxy of political stars may be accurately discerned by one's speaking slot at the party's national convention. Florida senator Marco Rubio spoke immediately before and performed the introduction of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Marco Rubio is one to watch in coming years.
GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney was enthusiastically received by the party faithful in the Tampa Bay Times Forum Thursday night.
VP nominee Paul Ryan acknowledges the crowd as he enters the stage following the conclusion of Mitt Romney's acceptance speech.
And now it begins in earnest. VP nominee Paul Ryan and presidential nominee Mitt Romney meet on the stage following Romney's acceptance speech.
The potential of one's family becoming among the most powerful in the world is not nearly as exciting as catching balloons that fall from the sky.
VP nominee Paul Ryan, Janna Ryan, Ann Romney and presidential nominee Mitt Romney acknowledge the cheers of the crowd following the conclusion of MItt Romney's acceptance speech.
No political convention is complete without the red, white and blue balloon drop.
The party ends with a bang as confetti rains down on delegates and guests in the Tampa Bay Times Forum Thursday night.