McDonnell Resonates in Tampa

By JIM RILEY
For PotomacLocal.com 

TAMPA, Fla. — After a slew of Tuesday meetings run by the RATE Coalition on tax reform and the National Journal on what to expect from a Romney administration, it was off to pre-convention receptions and then the big event itself.

Word had spread earlier in the day that Mitt Romney was coming to town early to support his wife, Ann, on the big night of her speech. His motorcade zipped past us about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

During Tuesday night’s speeches, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell gave some memorable lines during his speech:

“It will be good to have a president who understands what it takes to create jobs…and a vice president who knows what state he’s in.”

He was very well received by the delegates and it was clear why he made the cut for Romney’s Vice President short list.

Another Virginian, former U.S. Rep. Artur Davis who represented an Alabama district as a Democrat, brought down the house when he said he was at the wrong convention four years ago (he seconded President Obama’s nomination in Denver in 2008 and was the first lawmaker from outside Illinois to endorse him).

He spoke on behalf of everyone who “got it wrong” four years ago. By the end of the speech, he had the entire audience on their feet. Forget about him taking Gerry Connolly on in two years (if Connolly even lasts that long), Davis is Senate caliber and should be a top NRSC recruit target to take out Mark Warner in 2014.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley gave a great speech in her own right, relating the story of how her immigrant parents built their own small business. She then pivoted to introducing Ann Romney.

During her speech, Ann Romney laid out the picture of Mitt Romney that most people don’t know, from the early days of their marriage when they lived in a basement apartment with an ironing board as their dining room table through today and the success he has achieved. She not only capably defended the notion of success, but praised its virtues.

Finally, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gave the keynote address. It’s theme was “it’s time someone started treating voters like adults,” and that it was more important that politicians and America as a whole be respected than to be loved. And finally, that elected officials lead and “change the polls” rather than merely be followers of them.

Wednesday, I’m at the first ever National Center Right Meeting run by Americans for Tax Reform. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is speaking about resisting the state expansion of Medicaid and the problems with Obamacare’s state exchanges. (Former Virginia LG John Hager is here, too.)

Delelegate David Ramadan from Loudoun County spoke about the constitutional amendments on the ballot this November to protect private property rights.

Jim Riley is the Southbridge Homeowners Association President and writes for VirginiaVirtucon.com.

*This story has been corrected.