TAMPA (FOX 13) -
The world
was watching Tampa
as Mitt Romney accepted the Republican Nomination for the presidency, and few people had better seats than the Florida
delegates when the balloons dropped, and the nomination became official.
"It's
thrilling," said Florida
delegate Peggy Simone.
The Florida delegation realizes they hosted history right
here in Tampa.
"That's the
moment. And this is a big moment for us in Florida," said delegate Carol Hurst.
It's more
than a moment. It was a beginning.
"This is
just the starting of the marathon and we see the finish line right ahead,"
Hardy said.
It's a race
to the presidency fueled by the delegates. They are the chosen few with a seat
on the convention floor.
"Wen you're
down here it's like being on the fifty yard line and that's great," said Ray
Valdes.
Having a
seat on the floor as a delegate puts you about as close as you can be to the
power position. There's no seat in the floor more than one hundred yards away
from the podium.
"It feels
like it's supposed to feel. I don't know how to explain this but it feels like
yes, we know these people, we've seen them on television and there they are
just a few feet from us and it's like ok this is the way it's supposed to be,"
said Martin Simmons.
The
cheering, the chanting, the access, and there's dancing here too.
"The energy
is exhilarating and we're meeting all these wonderful people from different
states," said delegate Don Genhart.
It's all
part of the political process. A convention is about more than selecting the
nominee and listening to speeches.
"I couldn't
even tell you the ones I could do without. I could tell you the ones that were
outstanding," said delegate Peggy Simone.
That's what
creates a community. The Republican core who sat so close and shared a role in
American politics.
"Every day
it's been a building towards the end," said delegate Ray Valdes.
All on the
convention floor, in Tampa.
