U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., electrified the convention crowds both inside and in the nearby plazas outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Wednesday.
The party's vice presidential candidate drew immediate words of praise from Florida delegates that included "came with conviction," knocked it out of the park, fabulous" and "resounding."
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez also scored high marks from among Floridas contingent as they exited the Republican National Convention.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi didn't hit the high notes for her Oscar-style duet with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, even though their call to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was favorably received.
Now Florida delegates and guests at the convention look for the partys presidential nominee, Mitt Romney -- as he gives his acceptance speech Thursday night -- to deliver a succinct message that unifies the remarks delivered by the various speakers the prior two days in Tampa, words they can spread back home.
I want to go away from the convention with a sense of continuity, a sense of direction so when I do talk to people, the message, the unifying message of the Romney-Ryan ticket is there, said Steve Zieman, an at-large delegate from Gulf Breeze on Florida's Panhandle
I dont want to talk about his taxes or Obamas failures; I want to know the positive plan.
Vicki Higbee, Duval County, said she wants to see a message that reaches beyond the base, which Ryan has drawn together outside some of the more ardent U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, supporters. But she will be watching the audience.
Just to show that we're all behind Mitt because it was such a contentious primary, that he has our full support, and were hoping the message gets out to independents and undecideds, Hibgee said.
I think he and Ryan really have the answer to fix the economy and (Romney) has proven that he can.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
