Republican National Convention Update From On the Ground in Tampa

The first official day of the 2012 Republican National Convention was fairly busy even though the official session was canceled. As we have each day since arriving in Tampa, the entire Alabama Delegation met Monday morning for breakfast and to hear from some very interesting speakers.

Our first speaker on Monday was RNC political director Rick Wiley. He provided our delegates insight into the RNC and Romney Campaign’s plans for the general election and updated us on the latest polling data. We then heard from former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu (who also served as President George H.W. Bush’s first White House Chief of Staff). Governor Sununu rallied the delegation and provided some updates from his role as an advisor to the Romney Campaign as well as what states are in play for November. We also heard from Auburn graduate Alex Schriver, National Chairman of the College Republican Federation. Alex shared with us how the CNRC is taking unprecedented steps to reach out and increase the youth vote for Mitt Romney this November. He provided sobering statistics on the increasing number of recent college graduates that have to move back in with their parents because they cannot find full time work and how President Obama’s policies have failed the youth electorate that he won overwhelmingly in 2008.

After our speakers, delegation business meetings and lunch, I headed over to the Tampa Bay Times Forum (where the actual Republican National Convention business will be taking place) to explore and walk around. Normally the Tampa Bay Times Forum is the home to the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning; however it has been completely transformed for the four-day RNC event.

Since the official proceedings were canceled, Delegate and Alternate Delegates were able to walk around the convention floor and explore the building without the normal hustle and bustle of a busy convention. The stage is very impressive and almost a work of art. I was able to quickly find the Alabama Delegation’s seating assignment on the floor and snapped a few quick pictures. I was interviewed by a reporter from the New York Times while I was on the floor. With the lack of Delegates or Alternate Delegates at the convention center, it seems reporters were eager to talk with any Delegate or Alternate Delegate who passed them by.

It’s been a busy day and we have even more events and speakers to look forward to tomorrow and the days ahead. If there is one thing that I can tell for certain as we begin this convention, it’s that Republicans are completely united for Governor Romney to make Barack Obama a one term president.

Adam Thompson is an Alternate Delegate for Mitt Romney and a member of the Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee. He and his wife reside in Pike Road, Alabama. Adam is generously contributing his time this week to keep Yellowhammer readers up to speed from the Republican Nation Convention in Tampa, FL.