Category: National Public Radio

GOP Faces Uphill Battle For Black Vote

 Mia Love, the Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday.

Enlarge J. Scott Applewhite/APMia Love, the Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday.

Barack Obama won more than 95 percent of the black vote in the last presidential election, and Democrats are expected to have a huge advantage this November. Even so, Republicans looked for ways to appeal to those voters at their convention in Tampa, Fla.

Though the convention hall was packed with delegates this week, it wasn’t until gospel star Bebe Winans and the Tampa Bay City Life Church Chorus came on stage that there was any sizable number of African-Americans around. Continue reading “GOP Faces Uphill Battle For Black Vote”

GOP’s ‘We Built It’ Refrain Is Both Puzzling and Telling

August 31, 2012; by

Delegates filled the floor Tuesday during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.
Enlarge Win McNamee/Getty ImagesDelegates filled the floor Tuesday during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

The 2012 Republican National Convention may have been the first gathering of its kind to take its theme from a gaffe.

Some variation of the phrase “We Built That” was the theme of the first night but, in effect, dominated the stage rhetoric throughout the convention. The phrase was the only one heard as often as “Hurricane Isaac.” Continue reading “GOP’s ‘We Built It’ Refrain Is Both Puzzling and Telling”

In A Picture: Ryan’s Speech Was Much Ado About Obama

08:07 am; August 30, 2012

For those who like word clouds, here is Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s speech Wednesday night at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, during which he accepted his party’s vice presidential nomination.

This picture of how often he said something drew our eyes to:

— “Obama.” That would be the president, of course, who Ryan said has failed the American people.

— “Mitt” and “Romney.” The 2012 Republican presidential nominee, who Ryan said has the experience and ideas to fix the nation’s problems.

— “Government.” It needs to be less involved in American’s lives, Ryan said, not more.

— “Years.” He said President Obama has had nearly four years to fix things and hasn’t. Ryan, of course, wants Mitt Romney to have at least four years to try things his way.

— “Mom.” That’s always nice to see.

Related:

— The transcript of Ryan’s address.

— The live blogging we did Wednesday night.

As Ryan Takes The Stage, He Gives Hope To Republicans, Democrats Alike

Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, seen at a weekend rally in Powell, Ohio, is set to formally accept the GOP nomination to become Mitt Romney's running mate.
Enlarge Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty ImagesRep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, seen at a weekend rally in Powell, Ohio, is set to formally accept the GOP nomination to become Mitt Romney’s running mate.

Like a lot of Republicans, Jane Jech is excited about Paul Ryan. Maybe even more excited than she is about Mitt Romney.

Ryan, a seven-term representative from Wisconsin and the chairman of the House Budget Committee, will formally accept the Republican Party’s nomination for vice president on Wednesday. Continue reading “As Ryan Takes The Stage, He Gives Hope To Republicans, Democrats Alike”

Words, Good And Bad, Come Quickly To Mind For Many About Paul Ryan

August 29, 2012; by

Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who tonight is set to accept his party's vice presidential nomination.
Enlarge Jeffrey Phelps/Getty ImagesRepublican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who tonight is set to accept his party’s vice presidential nomination.

When we arrived in Tampa for the Republican convention, much of the buzz centered on vice presidential pick, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

Young — he’s 42 — and a favorite of the conservative right, Ryan brought energy and attention to Mitt Romney’s ticket, and could help him play better in the key Badger State in November. Tonight, he’s set to accept his party’s vice presidential nomination.

We set about to ask people who had flocked to stormy Florida for the convention how they view Ryan, not knowing that the Pew Research Center was asking the same question in a national survey. Continue reading “Words, Good And Bad, Come Quickly To Mind For Many About Paul Ryan”

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