One of the most noteworthy acts of the night was Clint Eastwood, who expressed his dissatisfaction with the United States’ direction by speaking to an empty chair next to him on stage which symbolized President Obama. Eastwood took several shots at “Obama”, as he blamed him for the 23 million unemployed, describing it as a “national disgrace.”
“When somebody doesn’t do the job, you got to let them go,” Eastwood said, initiating uproar from the crowd. Since then the monologue has gone viral, an “invisible Obama” Twitter page has been created and now has more than 30 thousand followers. “I think it’s time, maybe, for a businessman, a stellar businessman,” Eastwood said. “And I think if you just step aside, Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan can take over.”
Following Eastwood was Fla. Senator Marco Rubio’s speech which touched on Mitt Romney’s altruism and his devotion to the United States and to his family. Rubio described Romney as a role model to young Americans and to himself, and said that under Romney’s leadership America can move forward, hinting that Obama’s choices have caused us to fall backward.
“Our problem is not that [Obama] is a bad person,” Rubio said. “Our problem is that he is a bad president.”
Rubio soon after introduced Mitt Romney, who walked down one of the center aisles shaking the hands of delegates lining the rows. Romney then took the stage and after much applause accepted the nomination for president.
“I do so with humility, deeply moved by the trust you have placed in me. It is a great honor. It is an even greater responsibility,” Romney said.
Not long after Romney began his speech, he was interrupted by a group of protesters from the women’s rights group Code Pink. Two women and one man from Code Pink started chanting “Democracy is not a business!” while the crowd in the forum responded with a resounding “U.S.A.”. In a matter of seconds, several security guards ran up the stairs and escorted the protesters out.
After the interruption was settled, the Republican nominee spoke about the American experience and how all citizens are entitled to it. Freedom, freedom to speak your mind, freedom to build a life. But said that now, after four years of Obama, American parents are concerned for the first time that their children will be worse off than they were. He mentioned that college graduates thought they’d be in line for a good job and a place of their own, but that instead the U.S. is facing $914 billion in student debt. Romney said that four years ago Americans voted for change, but they’ve been let down and haven’t gotten what they deserve.
“I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed,” Romney said. “But his promises gave way to disappointment and division..”
Romney then went into detail on how he and Paul Ryan plan to move America forward and create 12 million new jobs in just five steps:
“First, by 2020, North America will be energy independent by taking full advantage of our oil and coal and gas and nuclear and renewables.
Second, we will give our fellow citizens the skills they need for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow. When it comes to the school your child will attend, every parent should have a choice, and every child should have a chance.
Third, we will make trade work for America by forging new trade agreements. And when nations cheat in trade, there will be unmistakable consequences.
Fourth, to assure every entrepreneur and every job creator that their investments in America will not vanish as have those in Greece, we will cut the deficit and put America on track to a balanced budget.
And fifth, we will champion small businesses, America’s engine of job growth. That means reducing taxes on business, not raising them. It means simplifying and modernizing the regulations that hurt small business the most. And it means that we must rein in the skyrocketing cost of healthcare by repealing and replacing Obamacare.”
Romney’s goals to reform Medicare, eliminate Obamacare and move America forward by creating new jobs are unarguably ambitious ones. But the remaining question is, is if he sold himself enough to swing liberal voters to the right.
“If I am elected President of these United States, I will work with all my energy and soul to restore that America, to lift our eyes to a better future,” Romney said. “That future is our destiny . . . Let us begin that future together tonight.”