Photos from Wednesday night at the GOP convention.
September 3, 2012Wednesday night at a political convention is traditionally the night upon which the VP candidate gets his or her moment in the spotlight. In Tampa on Tuesday night, everything was leading to Paul Ryan’s official debut on the national stage. Here are photos from third night of the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa.
In 2008, John McCain didn't announce Sarah Palin as his running mate until after arrival at the convention in St. Paul. But make the announcement a week or two in advance as Romney did, and there is time to incorporate the number two in the graphics within the convention hall.
It's a pep rally. That's what political conventions are. And waving signs in support of one's candidate is expected.
Technology has changed the look of political conventions. The backdrop is a collage of video screens. The screens change with each speaker and with each topic. They also show crowd reaction and display Twitter feeds between speakers.
Professionally printed or hand-lettered. It doesn't matter so long as you participate in creating the visual of an enthused crowd.
Dancing a little bit while waving a candidate sign is entirely acceptable. This woman was moving to the beat of the jazz band whose job it was to keep the crowd pumped up between convention speakers.
The people don't elect the president. The states elect the president. And state pride is on display at every political convention. Wisconsin is all about cheese, as this delegate makes clear.
Country singer Danny Gokey came to national fame as a result of being a part of the eighth season of American Idol. His selection for the GOP convention crowd Wednesday night was, "My Best Days are Ahead of Me," a song intended to inspire the gathering.
None of us has ever seen the real Abe Lincoln but this gentleman will surely do instead. He's George Engelbach, candidate for state representative in Missouri and, as his business card states, a "Lincoln admirer."
The debt clock is a useful visual element if you're Mitt Romney. But what really makes the debt clock is a before and after. In the photo in the gallery from Tuesday night, the total is $2 billion less.
The crowd cheers the introduction of Senator John Thune of South Dakota.
The last time John McCain spoke to a GOP convention, he was the nominee. On Wednesday night at the 2012 convention, he took President Barack Obama to task on military readiness and foreign policy.
Governor Mike Huckabee warmed up for Condoleezza Rice who warmed up for VP nominee Paul Ryan. "We can do better" was the theme of Huckabee's speech.
Ann Romney, wife of nominee Mitt Romney, was on hand Wednesday on the convention floor surrounded by members of the Romney family.
This delegate is from Montana. William Howard Taft was from Ohio and was nominated at the 1908 Republican National Convention. Perhaps this gentleman was there.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had the speaking slot immediately before that of VP nominee Paul Ryan. She used her time to speak on the American roll in the world and the impact of domestic policy on foreign policy.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had the speaking slot immediately before that of VP nominee Paul Ryan. She used her time to speak on the American roll in the world and the impact of domestic policy on foreign policy.
You can't see his face but you can be pretty clear where this man is from and what he stands for. It's never hard to find the Texas delegation at a GOP convention.
Regardless of the outcome of the 2012 election, it is obvious that Paul Ryan has a bright future in the GOP.
It was what everyone came for on Wednesday night. VP nominee Paul Ryan's speech was the prime time event on night three of the GOP convention.