Rocky: RNC 2012 begins, in earnest

So, it all stats today! FINALLY! Today at 2pm (1400 hours for us in the military), we Republicans will finally be going to work and to nominate our nominee.

We have had some fun hearing and speaking with some incredible speakers. The speakers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The best example of this was our former Gov. Engler’s introduction of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to the Michigan delegation. When asked about whom he thought Gov. Romney should pick for Vice President during the primary race, our former Governor was very frank. He said he liked Paul Ryan for his intellectual side, but really liked Gov. Christie because he had the right body shape!

Well, talking about shapes, I can’t say that we haven’t been well fed. When all you’re doing is talking, meeting, greeting and listening, you tend to have something on a plate. As my wife tells me, it’s usually not good for me!

But enough about the food; now on to the convention. As we enter the convention floor today, we will see a National Debt Clock and a Debt Clock for when the convention started.

Now, I know what you’re thinking -… we Republicans are to blame for this. And you would be right. But we are also the only party that is ready to take the blame and correct and fix the problem. We have no other option. The option on the Liberal Left is to keep spending and printing money, which will only steal more out of your and my pocket.

This campaign is about the economy and we really need to vote for the candidate who will bring America back on the right track.

As you watch the convention tonight, I think you’ll be entertained. We have had a lot of entertainment from Trace Adkins, the Oakridge Boys, Journey and Kid Rock. But it’s more than entertainment; people are hurting in our beautiful state, and they are concerned about their businesses and their families.

You see, it’s easy to turn to government when times are tough, but the price of what you give up is great.

Everyone is watching our delegation. Every Michigan delegate at this convention has a great voice and we are concerned about all of our futures. This Convention is about people. It’s also about electing the person who has the most skills and is most committed to fixing our economy. I personally have a couple of friends right now who are at the end of their ropes in Wixom. They are fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses open. This race is also about the girl that goes to bed hungry in Detroit or Flint. It’s about our future and the type of country we pass on to our children.

That is why I am in Tampa. Republicans are people with feeling and emotion, and real concern for all of our brothers and sisters, no matter what their color, shape or size. We, the delegates, are poor, middle class and wealthy. We are white, black, Asian, Jewish, Catholic and all others in between. We call ourselves Republicans because we offer real solutions for the problems we all face, but we are all Americans when our nation faces a crisis.

We are in that crisis now. Our nation needs new leadership and I ask you to join us in voting for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

As a kid, I remember the Ford commercial when they were trying to show people that they were a new company. Remember, ‘have you driven a Ford lately’? What about the Olds commercials that said, ‘this is not your Father’s Oldsmobile’. Well, this is not the old Republican Party. This is everyone’s party. Mitt Romney will be everyone’s president.

More tomorrow with notes on actual convention action. Stay tuned.