Community Corner

Ballwin RNC Delegate Shares the Tampa Experience

Amid restaurants and concerts, Chris Howard said a trip highlight so far has been hearing VP candidate Paul Ryan speak.

Republican National Convention delegates from Missouri are keeping a busy schedule while in Tampa, Florida, for the 2012 RNC. In addition to the convention and other official business, they've visited famous restaurants, attended rock concerts and bumped into celebrities. 

Chris Howard is a first time delegate from Ballwin, Mo. Since arriving on Sunday, he says he's enjoying his time in Tampa.

"We've had so much fun," he said. "My only complaint is that it's more humid than St. Louis."

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Some delegates dined late on Sunday at Tampa's well-know Bern's Steakhouse, a popular spot for fine dining near the RNC. On Monday night, the group made its way to The Columbia, Florida's oldest restaurant.

Howard and his fellow delegates also attended a Blues Traveler concert in Tampa's historic Ybor City. On Wednesday night, there was even a Kid Rock concert a few blocks away from the Forum where Paul Ryan gave his speech. Howard says he got a great photo of Kid Rock, but he enjoyed hearing Paul Ryan's speech even more.

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"It wasn't a lot of flowery language, he was just being real and saying, 'This is what we have to do.'"

Howard says the Missouri delegates are seated close to the stage inside the Forum, and he's looking forward to hearing Mitt Romney speak tonight.

"I don't want him to attack Obama. We all know about his failures," he said. "I want to hear him paint the picture of how we're going to be better off once Romney is elected."


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