Always great to see Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.  Here we are at the 2012 Republican National Convention.  Thank you CFO Atwater for your leadership in Florida!

Wednesday night it was Republican Women!  Condi Rice gave a thorough critique of world affairs and the need for strong foreign policy.  Then she gave her personal story at the end telling about growing up under segregation in Alabama only to later become Secretary of State.  Her best line was “Under-performing schools are the Civil Rights issue of our time!”  — That line even got me to jump up out of my chair and applaud!!

Our very own Attorney General Pam Bondi explained why onerous health care policy restricts individual choice and how she will continue to oppose legislation that is unconstitutional.  The Florida Delegates were proud!

How about New Mexico Governor Suzanna Martinez, a former Democrat.  She told the story about how she and her husband were invited once to lunch with a Republican.  After the lunch she looked at her husband and said “I’ll be damned we’re Republicans!”–crowd went wild!!!!

The first night of the Republican National Convention featured many Republican rising stars. However, it also featured a once rising star in the Democrat Party. Former Rep. Artur Davis (AL, District 7) seconded President Obama’s nomination at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, but tonight he spoke on behalf of Mitt Romney and in favor fixing a mistake made four years ago. Davis was the sole member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the Affordable Care Act both times it came before the House of Representatives; this heterodoxy undoubtedly began his journey to Tampa.

Davis speech alternated between humor (things that begin with styrofoam columns and smoke don’t end well) and sincere call to make a reasoned choice to rebuild America. Make sure you listen to the whole thing.

Tallahassee’s own WTXL Channel 27 is here in Tampa. I had the opportunity to chat with Greg Angel.

Day 2, the first actual day of the 2012 Republican National Convention, saw the official nomination of Gov. Mitt Romney. Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll cast Florida’s 50 votes for the man who will be the next President of the United States. The evening featured a number of outstanding speakers, among them was Ann Romney. Mrs. Romney gave the nation personal insight into the man she married.

Two years ago Jason Nelson, a Precinct Committeeman on the Leon County Republican Executive Committee came to me with a serious question “How can I be a volunteer at the 2012 Republican National Convention when it comes to Tampa??”  I contacted my friend on the State Committee Deborah Cox-Roush, who was a part of the Committee on Arrangements and referred Jason.  Today, while working on Convention preparations he bumped into this fella– Karl Rove!!

BTW, when he first came to me about being a volunteer he said “I don’t want to get stuck parking cars or something”….today he’s working right inside the Convention Hall.  Way to Go Jason !!!!!

Governor Nickie Halley tells the Florida Delegation Breakfast that “in South Carolina we have heals and we kick!”  and that together the State of Florida and South Carolina must  work hard for the Romney/Ryan ticket.  When told that Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has a Republican opponent she said “Tell me what I need to do to help,” as in help DWS’s opponent!

Adam Putnam has put together a great “Fresh From Florida” Breakfast.  About 300 people in attendance this morning.

Due to in-climate weather the RNC has postponed the first day of the Convention.  Actually, what they are doing is convening the Convention real quick and then adjourning it until tomorrow.

This morning Hurricane Issac was 180 miles off of Fort Myers and we were getting light rain from feeder bands hitting the Tampa Bay area.  The Florida Delegation is staying 32 miles from the downtown Tampa Convention venue at Innisbrook Resort and Spa.  The sky is cloudy, light rain, but spirits are high.

We had 300 people at the Florida Delegation breakfast this morning.  Lunch will be a salute to the “Greatest Generation.”  All of the activities and events today for Florida Delegates will be at the Resort today.   I’m spending most of my day at the Florida Delegation Hospitality Suite which is a massive room with food and refreshments, big screen TVs with Fox News running and good old fashion smoozing.

8am the Florida Delegation with South Carolina Delegates in attendance, some 300 present listened to Governor Scott give us a Hurricane update report.  He is skipping all of the RNC events to focus on emergency preparedness as the storm is expected to move towards Louisanna, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida border.

We also heard from Speaker Designate Will Weatherford.

During today’s Board meeting these officials from the RNC came up to me and had me print my name, sign, and date a Petition to place into nomination Mitt Romney’s name for President of the United States.  I also had to sign one for Paul Ryan for Vice President of the United States.  The RNC Officials said they needed a certain number of signatures from each State Delegation to bring the Nominations to the Floor.  This photo is of my signature on the petition.