Scott Lasley is an Associate Professor in Western Kentucky University’s Department of Political Science. He is attending the Republican National Convention in Tampa this week. During the week, Professor Lasley will be providing a Kentucky perspective to the activities at the Republican National Convention.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Republican National Convention finally got off the ground Tuesday afternoon. The afternoon session was highlighted by the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the Republican candidates for president and vice-president. The business of the Convention was conducted during the session including the approval of reports from the Convention’s committees. The reports from the Credentials and the Rules Committees encountered some opposition. The opposition was strongest from delegates who supported Ron Paul in the nomination process. Sixth District candidate Andy Barr was one of many congressional candidates who spoke during the afternoon session. His speech emphasized the importance of coal.

Ann Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie headlined the evening session. Ann Romney spent a significant portion of her speech trying to introduce voters to a personal side of her husband. Mitt Romney briefly joined her on stage after her speech. Earlier in the evening Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and former Democratic Congressman Artur Davis from Alabama, and Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz, a tea party favorite, generated the most energetic responses from attendees.

Kentucky Senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell are on the agenda for Wednesday night’s session. Senator Paul’s arrival on the floor of the convention garnered significant attention from delegates from across the country. Delegates from many states made their way to the Kentucky delegation for a chance to meet and take a picture with the Senator.

Kentucky delegates do not enjoy the preferred floor space that they had in St. Paul when Kentucky banker Mike Duncan was the chair of the Republican National Committee. Kentucky delegates are tucked in the back of the floor to the right of the main stage.