KVPTexas

Sorry for posting a couple of times tonight, my friends. Hope you’ll forgive me!

Wanted to share a couple more fun “behind-the-scenes” photos of the Tampa Bay Times Forum being set up for the Convention next week. It’ll give you an inside look at several things.

Setting up rigging, etc.

Some workers up high – over 35,000 man hours have gone into setting the Convention up!

Some of the lighting – Red, White, & Blue – of course!

Just a portion of the rigging that is involved in the set-up.

Outside the hall – note the “hashtag” – #GOP2012 !!

More than 100 tons of equipment will be hanging from the ceiling during Convention. How many elephants is that? 🙂

More than 20 miles of cables connecting all of us during Convention!

 

Also – as I mentioned a few days ago – there’s a terrific new mobile app from the RNC. Attendees can use it to keep track of our schedules, etc., but anyone can download it and buy RNC things, see when speakers are speaking, etc. I would suggest this – you can post stories, etc. Also – make sure you’re using the site Convention Without Walls. The RNC is going to be sharing your posts and stories with all of us at Convention, so make sure you get plugged in!

Okay – that’s it for tonight – I promise! 🙂 Have a great night and leave me a comment or three so I know what y’all are thinking!

Always,

KVPTexas

I was looking through my posts and realized I didn’t post the most recent batch of Convention speakers – wanted to give you a short update. Check out my earlier post for the speakers that have already been announced.

Senator Kelly Ayotte, Governor Bob McDonnell, Governor Bobby Jindal, Artur Davis, Senator Rob Portman and Congressman Connie Mack will also speaking during the Convention.

Additionally – Governor Chris Christie will be the keynote speaker, and Senator Marco Rubio will introduce Governor Mitt Romney, as he accepts the GOP Presidential nomination!

Also – a programming note – I’m told that soon to be Sen (TX-R) Ted Cruz will now speak on Monday night, instead of Tuesday, so please try to watch that! I hope you’ll be watching every night, as we gear up to take our country back!

Lastly, I thought I’d let you know I’m working with a couple of our local stations to do a video interview while I’m in Tampa. The Lubbock FOX affiliate will probably do one, and hopefully KCBD or KLBK. I’m going to try to call in to a couple of the local radio shows too, so I’ll let you know to be on the lookout for these interviews leading up to next week, and then during the week. Maybe I’ll even get interviewed by Sean Hannity or Bill O’Reilly – that would be a trip! 🙂

Hope all of you have a great night,

KVPTexas

Hi all –

Quick Update before I go to bed for the night – yes, I’m still up completing Convention Work!

RNC Chairman Reince Preibus and convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris will host a media event on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tampa Bay Times Forum to unveil the stage and podium for the 2012 Republican National Convention. Click here in order to watch the press conference LIVE on YouTube.

Secondly – the Texas Federation of Republican Women is hosting a Scavenger Hunt for all members of the Texas Delegation attending the RNC Convention. All of the teams will be posting pictures on Twitter, so………go follow: TFRWTeam1, TFRWTeam2, TFRWTeam3, TFRWTeam4…you get the picture. There are 10 teams, so follow them all and watch your Texas delegation have fun in the midst of all of our work for you!

Lastly, the RNC has set up a mobile app for iPhone/iPad/Android users, along with the Tampa Bay Host Committee. The mobile application is “Tampa 2012” and will give you a master calendar of speakers, etc. This will be especially helpful to those of us attending, as it will provide us with the ability to schedule in other events we’re attending, as well as apparently giving us links to restaurants and businesses that are offering deals to delegates and guests. Since I get my new iPad tomorrow (yay!) I will be even more connected and able to update all of you even easier!

Thanks – as always – to all of you for sticking by me and for sending me to Tampa. I know I am there to represent all of you. I promise I haven’t forgotten that.

I remain,

Humbly Yours,

Kristen Vander-Plas

(KVPTexas)

Just got off a conference call with all of the nation’s national delegates – Josh Romney joined us and gave us a pep talk. We are all so energized about the Romney/Ryan ticket and are excited about working together towards Tampa, and then November!!

As always, I am humbled by your continued encouragement.

I remain, yours,
KVPTexas

Well folks, looks like it won’t be a surprise at Convention after all. Gov Romney just announced he will reveal his Vice-Presidential pick tomorrow. Who do YOU hope it is?

KVPTexas

We delegates have been advised of several of the keynote speakers for Convention, and I wanted to share with all of you wonderful followers! Below is the list of the speakers we have been told about, up till now, along with a short paragraph from each of the speakers, saying how excited they are about speaking at Convention. So…..tell me what you think of our speakers!

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley

“The future generations of our children and our grandchildren are at stake in this election. While Americans work to build their businesses and create jobs, leaders of the Democratic party have spent more than three years raising taxes, increasing spending and taking away our health care choices. The Republican National Convention will be a time for not just our party, but our country to come together and get behind Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States. I look forward to being a part of this historic event,” said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Former Governor Mike Huckabee

“I’m honored to be invited by Governor Romney to address my fellow Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, but especially grateful for the opportunity to explain to my fellow Americans why this election provides the most stark contrast of political platforms in American history. Four years ago, we were promised an economic recovery and the creation of millions of jobs, but have now seen the longest period of record unemployment since the Great Depression. We were promised that the sacred institution of marriage would be protected, but now we have the first president in history to support changing the nature and definition of marriage. We were promised that faith would guide these decisions, but instead we have seen a full frontal assault on the conscience and convictions of religious liberty by insisting that this new government run health care system include forcing churches, colleges, hospitals, and businesses to bow their knee to the Baal of the federal government. I will do all I can to help Mitt Romney become our president,” said Mike Huckabee.

Ohio Governor John Kasich

“This election comes down to one thing – jobs. In Ohio, we know what that means. It means we need a leader who believes in American innovation, American ingenuity and the can-do American spirit that embodies our country. That leader is Mitt Romney, and I am honored to be a part of officially nominating him at the Republican National Convention in Tampa,” said Ohio Governor John Kasich.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez

“The Republican National Convention will give Mitt Romney momentum for securing a critical victory for our country this fall. Americans want to work. They want to build their businesses, compete and succeed in order to create more jobs and a secure future for their families. Mitt Romney knows that is the formula for our economic growth – not more government roadblocks. We will share this message in Tampa in a few weeks, and the American voters will make their voices heard on this at the polls in November,” said New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.

Arizona Senator John McCain

“In these challenging times, America needs Mitt Romney in the White House. The Republican National Convention in Tampa will help give us the momentum to get him there. Mitt Romney knows that our nation’s best days are still ahead of us and he has a plan to turn America’s economy around and create jobs again. He knows that more government is not the answer; it’s the hard work and ingenuity of the American people that will move our country forward. Mitt Romney believes, as Ronald Reagan did, that America has a unique and indispensable leadership role to promote security and prosperity around the world. I am very proud to support Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States,” said Senator John McCain.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

“Americans are looking for leadership in Washington to advance the belief that free markets and free people are the cornerstones to our country’s future. I look forward to being a part of the Republican National Convention later this month to support those beliefs by nominating Mitt Romney to be our next president,” said Condoleezza Rice.

Florida Governor Rick Scott

“The Republican National Convention comes at a critical time for determining America’s future. Mitt Romney knows that it is the hard-working people of America who build businesses and create jobs – not the government. We share that same belief here in Florida where we continue our progress in helping to create jobs by moving government out of the way of our businesses. I look forward to telling our story to the world when we gather in Tampa in just a few weeks,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

“The election this November is about much more than politics. It is a decision we have to make about the direction of America – are we going to continue to tax and spend and grow government far past the point of sustainability, or are we going to restore fiscal sanity to Washington, D.C. and force government to live within its means? In Oklahoma, we work to make government serve the people and not the other way around. Our next president has to share this same commitment and that is why I am so proud to be a part of the Republican National Convention to officially nominate Mitt Romney,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.

 

U.S. Senator Rand Paul

“In the past four years, we have seen the national debt soar at the hands of failed Democrat policies. We are nearing a fiscal cliff and are in desperate need of a change of direction.  Whether it is Obamacare, Dodd-Frank or the EPA’s war on coal, American jobs and growth are being stifled by the current policies. I believe Governor Romney would help our country start a new path, where job creators are encouraged not punished, and where the size and scope of government are brought under control. I am honored to speak about our Republican vision for the future at the national convention in Tampa,” said Senator Rand Paul. 

 

Former Senator Rick Santorum

“I am so passionate about this election because the core principles of our country are at stake. The Republican National Convention is an important time for us to rally behind Mitt Romney and his vision to put our country back on track. We need a leader in the White House who is committed to reforming government. Republicans believe that removing the incentive to work will destroy welfare reform as we know it, costing taxpayers millions and leading the poor to a life of dependency. The contrast between President Obama and Mitt Romney could not be greater. Conservatives from across the country are rallying together and we will make our voices heard in a few weeks in Tampa,” said Senator Rick Santorum.

 

Thoughts? Sure am looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Always,

KVPTexas

 

Update:

The RNC just released the names of five more speakers, so I wanted to share them as well!

 

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

“The government takeovers coming out of Washington have to stop. As an attorney general, we are constantly fighting the federal government back from overreaching and over-regulating – from the EPA to health care. We want to help businesses create jobs for our people, not regulate and tax them into bankruptcy. Mitt Romney will fight for our job-creators, and I am honored to be a part of his nomination to be the next president later this month in the great state of Florida,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

 

Our very own Republican nominee for U.S. Senate – Ted Cruz!!

“The United States of America is still a shining city on a hill. We can restore the U.S. Constitution and reign in out-of-control spending with new leadership in Washington. The pundits will talk, but it is the voters who will make the final decision. There is a great awakening that is sweeping this country. I predict that we will see a new level of energy and commitment to reform at the Republican National Convention as we unite behind Governor Mitt Romney,” said Ted Cruz.

 

Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño

“The most important issue in this election is our economy. Mitt Romney has the real-world experience and solid plan that will create jobs and help businesses succeed. I will deliver this message to my party and to the world at the Republican National Convention in Tampa,” said Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño.

 

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens

“We can do better as a country. We must empower Americans to make their own choices across the board. The jobs-killing, unconstitutional policies coming out of Washington, D.C. must be undone. Elections do have consequences and we will start to put our country back on track at the Republican National Convention when we nominate Mitt Romney,” said Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens.

 

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

“We have seen the power of bold ideas right here in Wisconsin. The American people are demanding bold reform and we need to put a leader in the White House who will fight to turn our country around. The Republican National Convention will be an important rallying point for our country and our party and I look forward to sharing our story of reform and officially nominating Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States,” said Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

 

Tell me what y’all think!

KVPTexas

Just thought I’d drop everyone a note to catch you up on what’s been going on, Convention-wise.

We’ll leave for National Convention in just over 3 weeks, and there’s lots to do.

Sen Dan Patrick bought “Texas Delegation” shirts for the entire delegation, and some of our delegates and alternates got together and purchased cowboy hats and “Texas Flag” shirts for everyone in the delegation. We’ll be the best dressed folks there!

The RNC has set up a Facebook application called the “Convention Without Walls” for people who are not attending the National Convention, but would like to participate in some of the fun and camaraderie. Find out more information on that here: http://connect.gopconvention2012.com/

The 2012 RNC National Platform Committee has set up a website for you to follow along with their progress. That website is: http://www.GOPPlatform2012.com, or you can follow them on Twitter: @GOPPlatform2012 – this is one of the most important parts of Convention, and you should make sure to check back. I, of course, will update you the week of the Convention when we receive updates from our representatives on the Committee.

Plans are being finalized for the TFRW (Texas Federation of Republican Women) Scavenger Hunt at the National Convention. The Hunt will be open to all of the Texas Delegation, along with our office holders and guests. I was asked to sit on the activity committee for this week-long event, and we’re going to have a lot of fun. It’ll be a time for Texans to collaborate, both within our delegation, and with the thousands of other Republicans invading Tampa in a few weeks.

Sunday night, August 26th, there will be a Welcoming Reception for the delegates. All of the details are not clear, but there should be several events like this throughout the week. We know there is a Pro-Life Luncheon on Tuesday, August 28th at the Florida Aquarium with Gov Perry, and I hopefully will be able to attend that on your behalf.

Lastly, I would like to again say a huge “thank you!” to all of you for your support and encouragement. I am deeply humbled to represent you and West Texas at the Republican National Convention. I won’t let you down.

Have a great week! Always here, should you need me!

KVPTexas

Well folks – just a quick note for those of you wondering what’s happening on the Convention front.

I was just asked to serve on an Activity Committee for the RPT at the National Convention. Plans are still in the works, but I’ll say this – we sure are going to have fun! 🙂

Hope all of you have a wonderful 4th of July. It’s a special day of celebration for our nation, but don’t forget – someone paid the ultimate price for our Independence! Take the time to remember those who are currently serving in uniform for us.

Happy 4th!
God Bless Texas!
KVPTexas