BET Experience

Republicans Gear Up for Their National Convention

The four-day event will focus on Mitt Romney's message that he can do a better job running the country than President Obama.

By Joyce Jones

Posted: 08/24/2012 01:16 PM EDT

Filed Under Ron Paul, Barack Obama, Barack Obama 2012, President Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention, The Road to the White House, President Obama, Mitt Romney, Republican National Committee, 2012 Election, Republican National Convention

On Aug. 30, presidential candidate Mitt Romney will experience the moment he's dreamt of for much of his adult life when he formally accepts his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention. But first there will be lots of pomp, a fair share of circumstance and speeches galore during which the GOP faithful will indict President Obama's performance these past few years. Thousands of delegates from around the nation are expected to attend the event, which will be held from Aug. 27-30 in Tampa, Florida.

During a conference call with reporters Friday morning, Romney campaign strategist Russ Schriefer said that each day of the convention would have a theme to highlight a specific campaign message. On Monday, the focus will be Obama's record, its impact on "real people" and how "We Can Do Better." The roll call vote to nominate Romney also will take place on that night.

Tuesday's theme is "We Built This," a continuation of the campaign's interpretation of and running attack on Obama related to a remark he made about the role government has played in spurring entrepreneurship in the nation during a speech in Roanoke, Virginia, last month. It also will feature a video tribute to former rival Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

Wednesday's theme, "We Can Change It," will highlight how Romney will strengthen the middle class, and on Thursday, when Romney is set to make his big speech, the theme is "We Believe in America" and how he's “uniquely qualified to take on the problems that the country is facing.”

Romney has rarely spoken publically about his Mormon faith even though the church plays a significant role in his life and helped define the man he's become. But on Thursday, members of his church whom he's worked with and/or at some point offered aid, will appear at the convention to talk about him.

“As part of telling Gov. Romney’s story, we will be having several people who he worked with through his church that he helped in different times in their lives,” Schriefer said. “We’ll have someone who followed Gov. Romney as a leader in the church, who will talk about what it was like to fill Gov. Romney’s shoes in that role.”

The night also will feature several Olympians who participated in the Winter Olympic Games Romney led in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Tradition dictates that the presidential candidate's wife be given a primetime television spot, and Ann Romney was scheduled to address the nation on the first night of the convention. However, with networks scaling back their coverage, that could change.

“As of now, we’re hoping that the networks are going to change their mind and cover Monday night. I’m optimistic that the right thing will be done," Schriefer said, leaving open the possibility that her speech may be moved to another night.

Stayed tuned to BET.com for complete coverage of the Republican National Convention.

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