Paul Ryan spoke to delegates at the Republication National Convention on Wednesday. SMU communication students attended the event. (AP)
American politics turned its attention to the 2012 Republican National Convention this week. Some of the country’s brightest minds-and four SMU students- took the opportunity to be right in the middle of it.
“It’s amazing. It’s been a really great experience so far,” senior Caroline Boothe said.
Boothe and juniors Antonea Bastian, Anthony McAuliffe, and Savannah Stephens attended the convention as part of an internship with CNN. Two university professors and several SMU alumni also made the trip to Tampa, Fla.
“It’s really a tribute to SMU, how great it is and how it places people in the right positions,” Boothe said.
At the convention, the GOP officially announced Gov. Mitt Romney as its presidential candidate.
Congressman Paul Ryan was also accepted as his running mate.
After recessing Monday due to weather concerns, the convention re-opened Tuesday with two of the week’s most anticipated speakers-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Romney’s wife, Ann Romney.
Both gave their unwavering support to Romney and his promise to lead America.
Christie’s speech focused on the need to end what he called an “era of absentee leadership.”
“Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to put us back on a path to growth,” he said.
Gov. Romney flew in two days early to support his wife as she gave her speech. She presented her husband as “warm and loving and patient,” more than just a political figure.
“This man will not fail. This man will not let us down. This man will lift up America,” she said.
Stephens witnessed both of Tuesday’s speeches and said being in the audience that night was “amazing.”
“The energy on the floor was insane,” Stephens said. “Being in the same room with them [was] just an experience.”
Not only was Stephens able to see history being made at the podium, but she and her fellow interns also caught a glimpse into the real lives of political greats while working at the CNN Grill.
“There are obviously so many great names that it’s basically like the who’s who has come upon us and you just try to see what you can,” Stephens said.
Boothe agreed, saying she took advantage of the opportunity to observe and even speak with some of the country’s most influential members of media and politics.
“The Grill is basically everyone’s watering hole,” Boothe said. “Rick Santorum came in five times yesterday.”
With so many influential people congregated for one united cause, the convention created an atmosphere of optimism, anticipation, and sheer excitement for possibilities in the country’s near future.
But alongside the buoyancy of the atmosphere were continual reminders that if change does not happen soon in the White House, the nation will continue on its downward economic spiral. Real-time debt clocks were on display throughout the facility.
Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan asked the question, “Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?”
His speech, given Wednesday night, had the congressman “leveling” with the nation, calling on all of America, “whatever [one’s] political party,” to help save the nation from its economic “crisis.”
“We don’t have that much time,” Ryan said. “But if we are serious, and smart, and we lead, we can do this.”
After an introduction by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Romney closed the week with his Thursday night address officially accepting the presidential nomination.
McAuliffe said those at the national convention were whole-heartedly supportive of Romney as the Republican Party’s choice for America’s next president.
“Most Republicans right now at the convention think this is the chance to support Romney and propel him forward in the race,” McAuliffe said.
The Democratic National Convention begins next week, Sept. 3-6, in Charlotte, N.C.
