RNC 2012
Republicans Also Dialed Back Platform's Israel Language
The missing language: "Undivided" Jerusalem and an embassy move. Democrats under fire for a similar move.
GOP Chairman: "If The Election Were Held Today, We’d Be Winning Today"
Defends GOP convention from disappointing polling.
How To Be Gay And Republican
Gay conservatives explain their support for both Mitt Romney and marriage between gay couples.
How Mitt Romney's Convention Speech Played Across The Front Pages Of 10 Swing State Newspapers
For some in the country, it was the first look at the Republican nominee.
Jeb Bush And Rick Santorum Debate Hands Vs. Milk
Two of our favorite Republican convention moments combined.
58 Things I Learned At The Republican National Convention
The food sucked.
Romney Thought Clint Eastwood's Speech Was Funny
A campaign official laughs off controversy surrounding the movie star's convention speech. Says the chair was a surprise, though.
A Brief History Of People Talking To Empty Chairs
Some people were talking to empty chairs before it was cool.
You Don't Tell Clint Eastwood To Stay On The Teleprompter
Kind of like the time I tried to talk Billy Crystal out of a Jewish joke. Celebrities are impossible to control.
Romney Finally Pivots In Tampa
He and his party speak to disillusioned Obama supporters. "Hope and change had a powerful appeal."
Mormons Celebrate Romney's Religious Coming-Out
Tears in Tampa. "It won't be a conversation topic any more," says Warren.
Watch Clint Eastwood Really Talk To President Obama
Eastwood no longer has to talk to an empty chair.
The Romney And Ryan Families Play With Balloons
After Mitt Romney accepted the GOP nomination, tens of thousands of balloons rained down on the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The young Romney and Ryan children and grandchildren couldn't resist having some fun on stage for the cameras.
The Best Televised Moments Of The RNC 2012
ICYMI, #RNC2012 was off the hook. THNX CSPAN!
Mitt Romney's Emotional Video Introduction
"I can't explain love. I don't know why it happens. I don't know why it endures," he says in RNC video reintroducing himself to America.
Forget The Media Mockery: Convention Crowd Loved Eastwood
"He's unique," says one delegate. "I don't think he was off the rails at all," says another.
Convention Rejects — Including "Daily Show" — Gather In CNN Grill
Republicans didn't grant them credentiials, Mandvi says. Foster Friess takes refuge.
Mitt Romney Fist Bumped A Guy
Perfectly executed. Good show!
The Greatest Clint Eastwood Tweets
The actor went off script at the Republican National Convention today, yelled at an empty chair, lit up the crowd, and may have alarmed his TV audience. Twitter caught fire.
Rachel Maddow Baffled By Eastwood's RNC Appearance
"That was the weirdest thing I've ever seen at a political convention in my entire life ... and it will be the weirdest thing I've ever seen if I live to be a hundred."
Clint Eastwood's Epic Speech At The RNC
Clint Eastwood talked to an empty chair for nearly 12 minutes tonight at the RNC in Tampa. And you thought televised political conventions were boring!
3 Stories To Make You Love Bishop Mitt Romney
On the final night of the Republican convention, former members of Romney's Mormon flock tell stories about his compassion. Here's the video. "When it comes to loving our neighbor, we can talk about it or we can live it: The Romneys live it."
Republican Convention Proves The Party Is Diverse, Say Republicans
Some Republicans hope voters will understand the party better after the convention. But Gov. Rick Perry says, "There are no stereotypes."
Jeb Bush's "Milk" Speech
Because choosing a school should be just like shopping for milk, duh.
Romney's Message: We're Not Extreme
A diverse cast on stage and a speech that looks outward aims to reassure independent voters. After Todd Akin, presenting an acceptable alternative to women.
GOP Uses Teleprompter To Count Votes
In a Republican National Conventionbattle between the party Establishment and insurgents, the outcome was predetermined. "The ayes have it!" reads Boehner.
Meet The Real King Of The Republican National Convention
Grover Norquist throws punches at "whiny Democrats" and social conservative "bigotry." "You're the smartest man in Washington," one fan gushes.
Super Hot Trend: Blinged Out Republican Mom Swag
It's everywhere.
Who's The World's Foremost Balloon Expert?
More than 100,000 balloons will drop tonight on the Republican National Convention. Here's the guy responsible for the show. "It's like playing a piano."
The Internet Predicts The RNC Mystery Guest Speaker
You guessed it. Jon Voight. (It's Clint Eastwood, but Twitter missed the news).
This Photo Isn't Real
It's a fake. Here's the real story.
Twitter Users Take Offense At Paul Ryan's "Fading Obama Poster" Line
Young Obama supporters took offense at the Republican's line that "college graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters."
Mitt Romney Jumbles Convention Message
A little of this and a little of that. "We're not Barack Obama and we're not crazy."
What The Republican Convention Looks Like On Pinterest
Prettier than it does everywhere else. (Also, did you know that basically everything comes in FLAG?)
Major Republican Speakers Avoid Two Words: "Tea Party"
Not a single prime time mention of the movement after two days of the Republican National Convention. Not Romney's crowd?
SPOILER: Nancy Reagan Won't Be The RNC Mystery Guest Speaker Tonight
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell broke the news today: "I've been told the surprise guest is definitely a man." Editor's Note: Everyone knows it's Clint Eastwood.
Christie On Defense After Convention Speech
He blasted media "idiots" for suggesting his late mention of Romney reflected a lack of enthusiasm.
Paul Ryan Sent Out 2008 Press Release On Decision To Close GM Plant
The Congressman acknowledges most work would stop in December 2008, but also noted the accelerated closure timeline only applied to the SUVs built at the plant.
That's A Lot Of Text Messages From The RNC
Nine identical texts from the Republican National Committee between 3:18 a.m. and 4:54 a.m. Drunk Texting?
Romney's App Gets New Life
Derided as a gimmick, the app is reborn as a tool for organizing and for pushing Romney's content on the social web. Supporters who downloaded it "have become our home base," sais Moffat.
The Most Important Line From The Republican National Convention So Far
Paul Ryan: "Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?"
Condoleezza Rice Is Running For Something
She thrills the hall, and stokes speculation. "Where she came from and what she achieved."
Paul Ryan Sent GM CEO Letter In 2008 To Not Close Janesville Plant
Paul Ryan hit President Obama tonight in his speech for failing to keep open a GM plant in his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin. The plant, however effectively closed in December 2008 and was put in stand by mode about a month before Obama took office. In this letter from June 2008 sent by Paul Ryan and the two Wisconsin Senators, Ryan asked the head of GM to reconsider closing the plant. The plant being in stand by mode leaves Obama open to the criticism it could have re-opened under his administration if the economy had improved. Obama had promised while visiting the plant in 2008 that it would stay open for 100 years.
Paul Supporters Stage Another Walkout At The Convention
This time, the Mainers were joined by delegates from several other states. It's "unscripted, unlike that fiasco in there."
George W. And H.W. Bush Deliver Support For Romney: "There's No Doubt In Our Mind Mitt Romney Will Be A Great President"
The elder and younger Bush addressed the Republican convention via video and offered their support to the former Governor of Massachusetts.
George H.W. Bush Does Dana Carvey Doing Him
I've waited my whole life to see this.
Romney Campaign Readies Post-Convention Blitz For Florida Hispanics
An "unprecedented ground game." And a lot of ground to make up.
Rand Paul Follows Establishment Script in Convention Speech
Not much talk of limited foreign policy in this speech, or Internet freedom. But still insists Obamacare is unconstitutional.
How To Raise $125,000 On Twitter
American politics now.
Ryan Highlights "Cheesehead Domination"
On Wisconsin!
Top Senate Republican Seeks To Turn Obama's Likability To Liability
"We know what the President's got on his iPod, but we don’t know what he plans to do about a looming tax hike," McConnell will argue, according to excerpts obtained by BuzzFeed.
Surprise Proposal On Convention Stage
Production manager programs RNC stage to say "Will You Marry Me?" Spoiler: she said "Yes."
Ann Romney Makes A Play For Latino Voters
Back stage, she thought about Hispanics, Romney says.
Republican Convention Looks For A Star
Romney is at its center, but delegates are eager to hear from Rubio, Ryan, and other younger Republicans. Mitt is likable enough.
Romney Daughters-In-Law Argue Over Which Romney Son Is Cutest
This is apparently what passes for family drama in Romneyland.
Mitt Romney Tells A Joke
Introducing his wife in a pre-taped segment, Romney jokes that Ann could take his place atop the Republican ticket — and that the press would like her better. Not bad!
John Sununu: Paulites Will Vote Romney Anyway
Sununu unfazed by Paul rebellion at the convention. The party is "unified."
Ann Romney: "It's Not Easy" On The Stump
"It is not easy on the wives, the children, the family, the friends because you see someone that you love being maligned, lied about, mistreated, abused, criticized." Miriam Adelson enjoyed the speech.
Chris Christie Explains Why He Didn't Talk Much About Mitt Romney
That was Ann's role. "It freed me up to put the choice in more general terms."
How Mitt Romney Decided To Start Talking About Mormonism Again
A dramatic, and perhaps risky, reversal for a careful candidate. Unlearning the "brutal" lessons of 2007.
Ann Romney And Chris Christie Debate The Nature Of Love
These two speeches to the Republican National Convention Tuesday were not meant to be back-to-back. Much less mashed-up.
Ann Romney Warms Republicans To Mitt
The best of her winning speech. An impossible act for Chris Christie to follow.
Ann Romney's Tomato Red Dress: Her Sartorial Safety Net
It was the perfect thing to wear to deliver a speech about "love." But it didn't tell us much about Ann.
Juan Williams: Ann Romney Looks "Like A Corporate Wife," Hard For Me To Believe She Struggled
The Fox commentator said tonight -- in remarks that are sure to draw comparisons from conservatives to Hilary Rosen's snipe that Ann Romney "didn't work a day in her life" -- that Ann Romney "looks to me like a corporate wife. The stories she told about struggles are hard for me to believe. I mean, she's a very rich women."
Artur Davis: Do "These Democrats Still Speak For You?"
"Do you even recognize the America they are talking about?"
Rick Santorum: "Hands"
Rick Santorum blew up Twitter tonight with his hands-on speech at the RNC. Here are the best parts.
Santorum, Davis Take Welfare Attack On Obama To The Convention
The Romney campaign's most powerful wedge takes center stage.
John Kasich Says Joe Biden Lied About Being A Good Golfer
"Joe Biden told me that he was a good golfer, and I played golf with Joe Biden I can tell you that's not true," the Ohio Governor said.
So Many Republicans Are Excited About Mitt Romney!
Maybe not so much in Nevada.
"America's Got Talent" Winner Blows RNC Away
Note to self: "God Bless The USA" is a crowd pleaser at any Republican party.
RNC Toughens Penalty For Rogue Delegates
Explained!
Romney Launches Chris Christie Google Ads For Keynote
With a captive audience watching the keynote, Romney directs people to a fundraising page and a link to watch the address.
Inside Maine's Convention Revolt
The unseated Maine delegates didn't get what they wanted, and the whole delegation walked out. Romney and Paul brass united in their irritation: They're "acting like three-year-old children."
RNC Primetime Speaker Gave Extensive PowerPoint On How To Build Your Business With Government Money
Small business woman Sher Valenzuela, who is running for Lt. Governor in Delaware, is giving a primetime speech tonight at the "We Build It" themed day of the Republican convention. Valenzuela gave a PowerPoint-presentation to the Wilmington Women In Business forum in April entirely focused on working with the government to get government contracts to build your business. Media Matters also found she gave a similar presentation again in May.
Univision Slams Rubio In Facebook Post, Apologizes
A "mediocre" politician and less Latino than Jeb Bush? The comment was "unpleasant" and unauthorized, says Univision.
Convention Rebels Gain Ground For Floor Fight
"The last thing you want to do is poke a stick in the eye of conservative activists," says Brown. Romney camp tries to hold the line on a compromise.
Republicans Snap Pictures With Celebrities At Their Convention
OK, it's almost entirely Jon Voight.
You Didn't Build That, God Built That!
A traditional religious view is also on message.
Romney Campaign Told Reporter They Didn't Want To Discuss Unseated Maine Delegation
Comes days after Colorado Communications Director was told not to talk to the press after telling a reporter not to ask Romney about abortion.
The Most Misunderstood Man In Tampa Explains His Words
David Brooks regrets your sense of humor.
Romney Adviser Lowers Expectations For Post-Convention Bump
Citing the hurricane and the timing of the Democratic convention, Stuart Stevens says, "All bets are off."
Los Angeles Mayor Says Romney "Trotting Out People With A Spanish Surname" To Win Latino Vote
He's in Tampa, he says, in part to show solidarity with those awaiting Hurricane Isaac.
Rubio Defends Ryan On Medicare, Cuban Embargo Switch
"He's become a very consistent supporter of the embargo."
Ann Romney Says She’s No Fan Of The Teleprompter
The candidate's wife says the hardest part of tonight's speech will be sticking to the script.
Rubio Spars With Embedded Protesters
In a farcical scene, one protester after another stood up to shout at Rubio while he gave a breakfast speech. "Is there anyone else who'd like to give their opinion?"
Romney Camp Bets On Welfare Attack
Their most powerful weapon, a top aide says. "We're not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact checkers," says Newhouse.
Romney Camp Hopes To Avoid Fight On Convention Floor
"It's going well," says Kaufman.
No Faith In Politics On The Greyhound To Tampa
Politicians' obsession with the middle class means neither party talks about, or to, the poor anymore. The apathy is mutual.
Congressional Black Caucus Condemns Artur Davis
Hours before convention speech, Davis' former colleagues accuse him of "transparent opportunism."
Sarah Palin Cheers Convention Floor Fight
A vote of confidence for the grassroots dissenters. And a headache for Team Romney.
New York Anarchists Hit Tampa
The most hardcore protesters took the bus down from New York City's core Occupy movement. Monday's chant: "Let us use the bathroom!"
Mitt Romney And Paul Ryan Nail Art May Gross Out People With Feet Issues
Paul Ryan being at the bottom of the ticket, he gets toenails. Spotted on the floor at the Republican National Convention.
Hear Mitt Romney's New Anthem: "I Built It"
Country musician Lane Turner performed a new song during soundcheck at the Republican National Convention. "I built it with no help from Uncle Sam."
Ron Paul Supporters Ready Floor Fight
A fight over the Maine delegation — and over control of the Republican National Convention.
Newt Gingrich Asks Chris Matthews If He Is A Racist
During an appearance tonight on Hardball, Newt Gingrich fired back at Chris Matthews accusing him of race baiting for calling Barack Obama a "food stamp President." "Why do YOU assume food stamp refers to blacks? What kind of racist thinking do you have," Gingrich said.
The First Day Of The Republican Convention In One Minute
The Convention convened, albeit briefly, then adjourned in preparation for Hurricane Isaac.
23 People Who Think That Hurricane Isaac Is A Biblical Signal About The Election
One hurricane can mean so many things to so many people. Especially when it's heading straight through day one of the RNC.
Ted Cruz: We Can Be "Thankful" For The "Blessing" Of Hurricane Isaac For Keeping Joe Biden Away
Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition yesterday in Tampa ahead of the Republican convention, the Texas GOP Senate hopeful said that Hurricane Isaac was a "blessing" and said Republicans could be thankful for it because it "kept Joe Biden away." Update Ted Cruz's campaign manager, John Drogin, sends over this comment on Cruz's joke: "I understand that the Democrats are very sensitive about jokes about Joe Biden, and for good reason. As Ted expressed the very same day, it is critical that everyone be fully prepared for any hurricane, and our prayers are with everyone in the path of Tropical Storm Isaac."
