The fortieth Republican National Convention kicks off Monday. The opening gavel will mark the start of the final stretch of the 2012 presidential election. With voters tuning in across the country and the world, Republicans are ready to tell our story.
Over the course of the four days in Tampa, Republicans will offer our vision for America. "A Better Future" is the theme of the convention because more than anything, voters want to see a path away from the disappointments of the last four years. Our convention is an invitation to join with America's Comeback Team in charting that course toward prosperity.
The convention will draw a stark contrast between the Romney-Ryan record of proven leadership and the Obama-Biden record of failed policies. It will highlight Gov. Romney's plan to create a stronger middle class and millions of new jobs so that we can put an end to the Obama economy's chronically high unemployment.
It will also illustrate how Gov. Romney is uniquely qualified to be president during these trying times--highlighting his business career and public service, his family and his faith. Our impressive slate of speakers will tell the Romney story each night--a story many voters truly have yet to hear.
The technology of our convention is unprecedented. The stage, for example, features 13 giant LED screens. For those in the hall and watching at home, it will enhance the visual experience like never before. And by joining our "Convention Without Walls," anyone can engage with the convention and voters across the country through multiple social media platforms.
Ahead of our convention Republicans are united, and enthusiasm for the Romney-Ryan ticket grows as our 4,000 delegates and alternates descend on Tampa. Contrast that to yesterday's report from the Los Angeles Times on the waning enthusiasm for the Obama reelection:
The "enthusiasm" problem, as strategists refer to it, is a serious issue for President Obama...
Pollsters have detected a steady slide in voters' sense of optimism about the president. "There's this sense of disillusionment. We don't see as many people saying he makes them feel proud," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.
On top of that, recent battleground state polls show the GOP with increased momentum heading toward November. The latest round of Quinnipiac polls shows the race continuing to tighten in battleground states. Most notable of all is Wisconsin. A state the president carried by 14 points in 2008 and which Jim Messina considered part of the Obama campaign's baseline for 2012 is now an indisputable toss-up.
As the Obama campaign's prospects get worse, their tactics get more desperate. They have resorted to sending the vice president of the United States to Florida during the GOP convention. It's symptomatic of a campaign running on distractions rather than a record.
The majority of Americans continue to believe that the country is on the wrong track. Yet reelecting the president of the status quo won't offer them anything new. It will just be more of the same.
Americans are ready for a new direction that promises a better future. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are prepared and capable to lead us there. With our convention, the Republican Party is ready to show Americans why.
P.S. In a gesture of bipartisanship, we ask Vice President Biden to stay here in Tampa for all four days. After all, he is one of our best surrogates. We'll roll out the welcome mat and even ensure he gets a delivery of Crumb and Get It pastries every morning.