What's more, he waited for a LONG time to actually give his own IDEAS.
Most was that flag-waving blind patriotism, an attempt to connect, or else chastising Obama.
He gave a "5 point plan" in about 2 minutes, and that was really nothing of substance, it was little more than "I have a plan, I have 5
in my plan, these are broad, vague points within my plan, OK, anyway, so as I was saying" and then back to the rest.
It didn't feel special to Romney, either.
Obama AND McCain in 2008 gave speeches that felt unique and special to them; liberal/conservative in style, obviously, and in content, but still, there was a sense that they were (and that their speeches were) something different.
Obama's in particular; that was arguably one of his best and most defining speeches.
Romney's sounded like warmed-over Republican mantras--which works to shore up the base, and I think he was VERY successful at shoring up his Republican base tonight.
Winning over undecideds, though, far less so.
What's worse for Romney--
Obama will have his chance at his convention in a week to respond, and then Presidential Debates to follow, and all, Left AND Right, agree Obama's a far more powerful and dynamic speaker...
Romney might have gotten his base together, but may have missed his chance to win over undecideds with memorable phrases and powerful ideas and rhetoric, and powerful rhetoric, at least (if you don't like his ideas, as I like most of them, but in any case) CAN win those undecided voters.
Romney didn't stumble here, but he didn't perhaps start to pick of speed and momentum with the groups and in the way he needed to, not helped by the fact Rubio gave a much better speech before him.
Republican National Convention Speeches
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