My first Republican National Convention

Guest Commentary
by Arkan Somo

I was very excited when I received my invitation to attend the RNC 2012 in Tampa, Florida. On the way to Tampa I didn’t know exactly what to expect.

Monday was cancelled due to the weather, which caused Tuesday to be an action packed day.

Tens of thousands of loyal and faithful to the core values of the Republican Party came from all over the country with two goals in mind:

• Nominate Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan as our official candidates to be the next President and Vice President of the United States.
• Do everything in their power to help elect Romney and Ryan.

The first goal has been accomplished and now we all go back to our states, cities and neighborhoods to make the second a reality.

While at the convention, my wife and kids asked me if I was enjoying it. I told them the most wonderful thing is to be in the biggest event of my life with people I had never met before, yet knowing we all agree on the main principles that drive a shared vision. I didn’t have to convince anyone that getting twenty-three million Americans back to work is job one for the next president. Nor did I have to argue that our country has to get our border secured and seriously address the immigration issue in a very comprehensive matter.

The other issue that has been hijacked by the Democratic Party is education. I can tell you, no one in Tampa underestimated how crucial good education is for our kids so we can compete in the global economy. Providing good education is one of the core values of every Republican I met.

What was also wonderful, everyone at the RNC believed that we need to shrink the size of our government, lower the burden of higher taxes, and reduce the adverse effect of over regulation.

I immigrated to this great county in 1982 and remember how President Ronald Reagan defeated Walter Mondale in a landslide. I also remember every presidential election since. In this year’s election the American people have a clear choice between two completely different visions for the future of our country. The choice for me and for thousands of patriots that were in Tampa is very easy, Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan. I have faith the majority of my fellow citizens see it the same way.

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Somo is the principal of Arkan Somo & Associates, government and public relations consultants to business and non-profit organizations.