
All eyes were on Tampa on Tuesday night as the GOP kicked off its national convention. Hurricane Isaac forced organizers to cancel much of the first day, but the delegates and other party VIPs gathered to nominate Mitt Romney as their candidate to take on President Obama this fall. The event was full of pomp and pageantry as a string of Republican stars took the stage to rally behind Romney. Photographer Charles Ommanney captured the atmosphere inside the convention hall.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
Republican candidate Mitt Romney stands with his wife, Ann, and kin as the third day of the RNC wraps up.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & the Daily Beast
Attendees in their finest line up at the Republican National Convention.

Attendees gather at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

One particularly well-dressed attendee is wheeled into the convention.

It's true what they say: Republicans really do lean to the right.

One convention attendee showed some extra patriotism on Wednesday.

Attendees dance to the music on Wednesday.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan takes to the stage with his family.

During John McCain's address to the convention on Wednesday night, he said that Mitt Romney's electrion "represents our best hopes for our country and the world."
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast

The proceedings kicked off with a prayer.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
The Republican National Convention combined pageantry with policymaking.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
Delegates from Texas displayed a little of their Lone Star State fashion flair.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
The convention wasn’t without its share of protests.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
The police beefed up its presence in Tampa as activists gathered to rally against GOP policies.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
Former Sen. Rick Santorum was one of several politicians to address the crowd. Santorum, who was one of Romney’s most serious rivals for the Republican nomination, gave special emphasis to the importance of marriage and family in his speech.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
Romney supporters waved signs reading “We Built It,” one of the slogans of the convention—a dig at President Obama.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
A delegate from Oklahoma flaunted her pro-Romney buttons.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
In one of the most anticipated speeches of Tuesday night, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fired up the crowd with anecdotes about his family. But his speech was criticized for being too much about New Jersey and not enough about the party’s nominee.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast
The Romneys waved to the crowd after Ann’s address to the convention. Her speech was widely praised for efforts to relate to women voters and her skill in humanizing her husband, who has appeared ill at ease at times on the campaign trail.
Charles Ommanney for Newsweek & The Daily Beast




