After a long and hard-fought primary season, Mitt Romney today officially became the Republican Party's presidential nominee, securing the 1,144 necessary votes and taking the presidential election into the homestretch.
Delegates from New Jersey put Romney over the top, capping a race for the White House that began for Romney in 2004.
During a roll call in which each state pledged their delegates, Romney won the lion's share. However, each time delegates were pledged to Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the hall erupted in loud applause, indicative of his still insurgent support and fissures in the party.
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan was later nominated to be Romney's running mate.
The roll call took place just hours after Romney arrived in Tampa today under sunny skies.
On the first full day of the Republican National Convention, Anne Romney and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie â€" as different in disposition and they are united in their support of Romney â€" will speak to the convention and to the country tonight.
As she has done for more than a year on the stump, Ann Romney is expected to humanize her often stiff husband, painting him as committed father of five boys and devoted husband who sustained her during a life-threatening bout of multiple sclerosis.
"I've never given a speech like this before, but I'm excited," Mrs. Romney told reporters before touching down in Tampa.
Christie, the popular and blunt spoken New Jersey governor once considered a potential running mate, will also speak during tonight's televised portion of the convention, broadcast from the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
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Watch Video "You know that I'll be talking about the New Jersey experience and what that means and can promise for the country," he said this morning on "Good Morning America," mentioning his program for reducing the size of government in his state."
"I'll be ready when I walk out on the stage tonight," he said.
Around the time Ann Romney and Christie take the stage, Hurricane Isaac will likely be making landfall in the nearby gulf states of Mississippi and Louisiana. The convention was stalled Monday amid concerns the storm would strike Tampa, but the Republicans must now compete for attention with Isaac menacing New Orleans.
Another storm was brewing in Tampa, however, this one between delegates pledged to support Romney and ardent supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
Paul never officially suspended his presidential campaign. Paul supporters looking for a floor fight over new rules to prevent insurgent candidates from amassing delegates at the convention were mostly stymied by a backroom deal brokered Monday night.
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin urged delegates to reject the deal in a post on her Facebook page.
"Without the energy and wisdom of the grassroots, the GOP would not have had the historic 2010 electoral victories. That's why the controversial rule change being debated at the RNC convention right now is so very disappointing. It's a direct attack on grassroots activists by the GOP establishment, and it must be rejected," Palin wrote.
Paul supporters took to the floor chanting his name today and out-shouting Romney backers. Paul, who was not invited to speak at the convention, also walked the floor greeting supporters.
The convention begins the homestretch of a long campaign season. As the official nominee, Romney in the next two months will have the coffers of the RNC at his disposal. Nevertheless, Romney and running mate Wisconsin Rep Paul Ryan spent the day courting fundraisers in Florida.
The latest Washington Post/ABC News poll puts Romney and President Barrack Obama in a virtually tied dead heat. In years past, each candidate typically sees a small bounce in the polls following their party's convention.
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