US-vote-Republicans: Live Report

0108 GMT: They've cued up another video praising Bain, this time its effort to save a steel company, Bain Steel Dynamics.

From the floor, @michaelmathes noted that despite the high production value of the event, not all the delegates are watching the whole thing with rapt attention.

"When the speeches are boring, the Romney-Ryan campaign store is packed out," he tweeted.

0104 GMT: Tom Stemberg, the founder of office supply superstore Staples, took the floor. He sang the praises of Romney's leadership at Bain and said the Obama team has failed at reviving the stagnant US economy because they do not understand the needs of business people.

He led the crowd in a refrain that the Democrats "Just don't get it!"

"Let me tell you, my friend, Mitt Romney, gets it. And I could not be more confident in saying that the American people get it."

0054 GMT: The theme has moved from Mormonism and faith to Romney's background as a business leader. After an introduction from Bob White, chairman of the Romney campaign, delegates watch a short video of workers singing the praises of Bain Capital, the private equity firm Romney ran for years.

0047 GMT: Another fellow church member also spoke of Romney's devotion to his family and community.

"It seems to me, when it comes to loving our neighbor, we can talk about it, or we can live it. The Romney's live it, every single day," said Pam Finlayson.

"When the world looks at Mitt Romney, they see him as the founder of a successful business, the leader of the Olympics, or a governor. When I see Mitt, I know him to be a loving father, man of faith and caring and compassionate friend.

0040 GMT: Ted and Pat Oparowsky of the northern state of New Hampshire, married 57 years, took the stage.

"Howdy folks," Ted said before telling an emotional crowd about how Romney, who they called Mitt, helped their family as their 14-year-old son suffered from cancer.

Pat said Romney helped the boy write a will so his skateboard and rifle would go to the right people when he died.

"The next time Mitt went to the hospital, he was equipped with his yellow legal pad and pen. Together, they made David's will. That is a task that no child should ever have to do. But it gave David peace of mind."

0034 GMT: Next up was a personal friend of Romney's who has known his leadership as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grant Bennett. Bennett's role was to personalize Romney and articulate the role of their controversial faith in Romney's life. He introduced two families who were helped by Romney while he served as unpaid clergy.

0825 GMT: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a lawmaker from the Western state has taken the stage. As Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, Rodgers is the only woman and the youngest member of the Republican leadership.

0024 GMT: The delegates are on their feet again, swaying to the cover band and waving their Mitt! signs in the air. Many feature the Romney-Ryan logo, while others, handwritten, declare "Believe in America!" The tune is "So Glad You Made It."

0017 GMT: On the convention floor, our correspondent @michaelmathes found scandal hit former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, who left office after running off to Argentina to be with his mistress while telling reporters he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

0009 GMT: Bush didn't shy from the elephant in the room, his brother's unpopularity. Straying from his prepared remarks, which focused on education, he said he wanted to start on a personal note.

"I love my brother," he said. "During incredibly challenging times, he kept us safe."

So Mr. President, it is time to stop blaming your predecessor for your failed economic policies. You were dealt a tough hand, you were dealt a tough hand, but your policies have not worked.

0006 GMT: Big cheers for former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Bush is the only member of the high-profile Bush dynasty, which includes former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, scheduled to speak.

0001 GMT: Following a video highlighting contributions of Hispanics, Romney's son, Craig Romeny took the stage. He opened with a lengthy passage in Spanish, which he learned during two years spent as a Mormon missionary in Chile from 2000 to 2002. His remarks were welcomed warmly by the crowd, and his appearance turned the convention cameras to Ann Romney for the first time as she cheered him.

2350 GMT: Former speaker of the house and presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has come to the podium with his third wife, Callista. She is wearing her trademark platinum blonde bob, with a defined swoop on the left.

The two run a conservative media company together, producing videos and books that highlight the work of conservative figures like Reagan and their conservative values. They slammed Obama and his agenda.

"Obama's proud of what he?s done and of his politically motivated partisanship, but he should be ashamed for putting politics before people," Newt Gingrich said.

Callista Gingrich said Romney will "return America to work, and to the principles that are at the core of President Reagan's legacy."

2347 GMT: Taking the lead from Mack, a video extolling Reagan is playing on the convention screens, highlighting many of his best speeches.

2342 GMT: After an invocation, Representative Connie Mack took the stage. He is a candidate for the senate from Florida. He called for a strong defense and for the restoration of the American Dream.

"We have the awesome responsibility to make that dream a reality.That dream is not an impossible dream. It?s the American dream. It's sure, it's strong and it's?s steady."

He invoked conservative hero Ronald Reagan and his promise of American renewal by opening with the line, "Once again, it's morning in America."

2332 GMT: Hawaiian Marine combat veteran Dylan Nonaka, led the delegates in the Pledge of Alligance to the US flag, which opens the school day at most US schools and many official events. He worn a traditional Hawaiian garland of greens around his neck and ended with, "Mahalo and Semper Fi!" Mahalo means "thank you" in Hawaiian and Semper Fi is the Marines motto "Semper Fidelis" or Always Faithful.

2331 GMT: Speaker of the House John Boehner just called the convention to order. The congressman is finishing his 11th term in the House of Representatives.

2330 GMT: An estimated $123 million dollars was spent putting on this partisan show, most of it raised from corporate donors including Hewlett-Packard and Coca-Cola. For the 50,000 people who have gathered for the event, the host committee secured 16,000 rooms in 105 hotels.

2324 GMT: Attendees have been asked to take their seats. Looks like they are going to get this ball rolling.

2315 GMT: Official business is running a bit behind, but the live band has begun to play with a cover of The Temptations' "My Girl." Delegates and guests are taking the chance to dance in their seats.

2307 GMT: The first order of business will be a call to order Representative John Boehner of Ohio. His home state is very much in play in this presidential race, going for Obama with 51.2 percent.

For such a high profile event, there is a surprisingly small number of actual delegates gathered to nominate Romney. Of the 50,000 people expected in Tampa, Florida this week, only 2,286 are delegates. A mere 2,125 are alternates. With a press corps estimated at 15,000, journalists outnumber delegates by more than three to one. The Tampa Bay Times Forum can seat 20,000 people.

WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on the final night of the Republican National Convention.

After a long primary fight, former Massachusetts governor and businessman Mitt Romney will accept his party's nomination for the White House in front of a cheering crowd of thousands. The conventions, multi-day lovefests designed to unite supporters as much as grab the attention of undecided voters, reach their peak with a speech from the nominee who uses the national spotlight to make his case as to why he should be president.

The stakes for Romney couldn't be higher. After trailing for months, he has recently drawn even in national polls against President Barack Obama, an incumbent saddled with a sluggish US economy and stubbornly high unemployment. A killer acceptance speech that humanizes Romney could go far towards tightening the race even further.

You can also follow our correspondents on the scene on Twitter including: @michaelmathes and @ivancouronne.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-vote-republicans-live-report-230226779.html

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