PRESS RELEASE from RNC Committee on Arrangements



Tampa, Fla. - When Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus gavels the convention to order today, a second national debt clock will be activated, this one measuring increases in U.S. indebtedness during the four days of the convention.

Priebus announced yesterday that another debt clock will measure the entire federal debt, now approaching $16 trillion.  Both will be ticking away in full view of convention attendees and television cameras from a location inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum. 

"The first clock will bring home the full magnitude of the problem, while this second clock will impress upon the nation just how much our government overspends in the span of only four days," said Priebus. "Both clocks highlight the magnitude of our debt problem."

The record-high national debt stands at $15.9 trillion, with nearly a third of this overspending the direct responsibility of this President.

"Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan understand that burdening our children with such massive debt is a loan on their future," Priebus said. "We can do better than this, and on day one of the Romney-Ryan Administration, Mitt Romney will take immediate action to cut federal spending and bring the debt under control."

When he was sworn in as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney inherited a $3 billion budget gap, Priebus recalled.  "Thanks to bold, sensible cost-cutting efforts he initiated, Governor Romney left the taxpayers with a $2 billion surplus - a 'rainy day' fund - just four years later."


About the 2012 Republican National Convention

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012.  Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to come to the Tampa Bay area for the event, including delegates, alternate delegates, media and other guests.  For more information about the 2012 Republican National Convention, become part of the virtual convention at www.ConventionWithoutWalls.com, visit our website www.GOPConvention2012.com and check out our official blog, Conventional Wisdom, at www.gopconvention2012.com/blog/.