Whether it was Paul Ryan speaking to young people lamenting their lack of job prospects, Ann Romney speaking to women about the difficulties of raising five children while dealing with cancer, or Marco Rubio speaking about his humble origins as the son of two working class Cuban immigrants, Republican convention speakers attempted this week to reach out to a broad group of people who are skeptical of Republican policies.
As a result of tough immigration laws supported by Republicans such as Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Hispanics have grown more skeptical of the party. Similarly, made by Republican Congressman Todd Aikin have not helped Republicans respond to Democratic claims of a “war against women.” Young people have long been loyal Democrats, especially given concerns about potential Republican cuts to student loans.
The most bizarre moment of the convention was likely the speech of actor Clint Eastwood, who served a term as Mayor of Carmel. In Eastwood’s unscripted speech, he conversed with an imaginary Obama. What started out as a rhetorical ploy turned more absurd as the imaginary Obama appeared to heckle Eastwood, prompting Eastwood to respond,
“No I will not tell him to do that to himself!”
Political analysts have given Mitt Romney’s speech credit for showing his personality, something that commentators say was necessary given that most Americans view Romney as less likeable than Obama. The typically staid Romney appeared to choke up, particularly when he spoke about his family.
However, some say his speech in particular was lacking in substance and misleading on the facts.
In contrast to his earlier stance acknowledging the existence of global warming, Romney’s line Thursday night was an apparent rejection of any action in his presidency to combat the rising threat.
“President Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family,” he told the audience who responded with an uncomfortable laugh.
Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina was unsurprisingly unimpressed with Romney’s speech
“Mitt Romney's speech tonight offered many personal attacks and gauzy platitudes, but no tangible ideas to move the country forward,” said Messina.
Condoleezza Rice, a Stanford professor and former Secretary of State, also spoke of her humble upbringings at the convention and expressed concern over the decline of American exceptionalism.
“When the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful economic and political experiment in human history,” she said, in her speech which never directly addressed Obama.
With three days of prime-time coverage of their platforms, people and ideas, the question is now whether the convention has persuaded the valuable undecided voters to vote Republican.
Have the Republican National Convention speakers convinced you to vote Mitt Romney for President? Tell us why or why not in the comments.
