It's all about the message, and the message is simple.
Voters, it's time you gave Mitt Romney a second look, because you'll like
what you see: a Mr. Fix-it who can fix the economy.
That will be the unified theme of the now three-day infomercial otherwise
known as the Republican National Convention, which originally had been set to
begin Monday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
However, Republican officials abruptly announced plans Saturday night to
scrap the first day of the convention, bowing to the threat posed by Tropical
Storm Isaac, churning toward Florida.
"Our first priority is ensuring the safety of delegates, alternates,
guests, members of the media attending the Republican National Convention, and
citizens of the Tampa Bay area," party chairman Reince Priebus said in an
emailed announcement that followed private conversations involving Romney's
campaign, security officials and others.
The announcement said that while the convention would officially be
gaveled into session on Monday as scheduled, the day's events would be
canceled until Tuesday.
That meant Romney's formal nomination would be postponed by a day, from
Monday to Tuesday, but the balance of the four days of political pageantry and
speechmaking would go on as scheduled.
After a week of distractions -- ranging from Rep. Todd Akin's infamous
comments about "legitimate rape" to the tropical storm that looked like it
might become a legitimate hurricane -- Republicans will now present a
three-day television spectacle aimed at getting back on message and boosting
Romney, who is locked in a tight battle with President Obama.
"The convention allows the nominee to set the table for the campaign by
telling his or her story," said Michael J. Hook, the Lancaster native and
Washington consultant who was assistant deputy convention manager for the 1996
GOP conclave in San Diego and a consultant to the 2000 edition in
Philadelphia. "In Gov. Romney's case, it will be about his success in
business, his policies, and his vision for the country."
Romney's convention comes after Democrats spent weeks pummeling him on
the airwaves, in ads that made the former Bain Capital management whiz look
like the bane of the nation's existence -- a job-cutting outsourcer who won't
show the nation his tax returns.
Now, though, it's Romney's turn to show himself as he sees himself: a
successful leader who has turned around companies, the 2002 Winter Olympics
and the State of Massachusetts, where he served as governor for four years.
The convention version of Romney will look like a problem-solver who can
pull the nation out of the economic doldrums that have lingered since the last
time the Republicans convened, in St. Paul, Minn., in 2008.
Romney will enter the convention with specific goals, said Anthony H.
Gioia, a top national fundraiser for the Republicans and a former ambassador
to Malta.
"You want to energize the base, articulate the message, and expose it to
the general population," Gioia said. "It's all about how Mitt Romney's
experience, background and views would be a positive development for the
country."
The now three-day extravaganza will build toward one central event:
Romney's acceptance speech Thursday night -- which, Republicans leaders said,
