TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Republicans jumped on President Obama's policies Tuesday as their convention in Tampa, Fla., began, saying his promise of hope and change never materialized.
The Republican National Convention reconvened Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum after it was gaveled in and immediately adjourned Monday amid concerns about then-Tropical Storm Isaac's projected path through the Gulf of Mexico. Isaac intensified to a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday.
"Over the past four years, we in Virginia have kept the American Dream alive by observing the president's policies -- and doing the opposite," state Del. Barbara Comstock, a deputy permanent co-chairwoman of the convention, said during the afternoon session.
If Obama is re-elected, he would "double-down on his job-destroying policies," because he has promised to raise taxes, "mocks" right-to-work laws, and has waged a "war on success [that] undermines individual initiative and innovation," Comstock said.
Republican candidates in congressional races from across the country also spoke Tuesday afternoon, speaking against Obama's energy, economic and healthcare policies, calling for the easement of regulations and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which all speakers called "Obamacare."
Lisa Stickan, chairwoman of the Young Republicans, said labor force participation "is at its lowest level in 30 years. Twenty-three million Americans are unemployed, underemployed, or have stopped looking for work."
"Quite simply, the jobs just aren't there," she said.
Romney, she said, has a plan "to get this country back on track and the Young Republicans are excited. We're ready for the government to get out of the way so job creators can actually create jobs."
A survey of more than 8,500 Republican women indicated "they want more from their government," said Rae Lynne Chornenky, president of the National Federation of Republican Women.
"Number 1: They want less interference ... and fewer regulations," Chornenky said. "Number 2: They want the kind of strong, fiscal conservative leadership that only Mitt Romney and [running mate U.S. Rep.] Paul Ryan [of Wisconsin] can deliver."
As chairman off the College Republican National Committee, Alex Schriver said he has "one of the best jobs in the country."
"I get to push back against the bastions of liberalism -- America's colleges and universities," he said. "Every day, I'm thankful to be employed. Yet, unfortunately, many of my peers are not as lucky."
Young people are focused and driven, he said: "And we need to be out making our mark on the world. Instead, our generation is having a mark made on us. ... And we're tired of a president and his cronies in Congress being all-too-willing to kick the nation's fiscal crisis down to our road."
Chris Fussner, the global chairman for Republicans Abroad, said while all eyes are on Republicans at home, "Republicans living and working abroad also play a critical role in electing and supporting our candidates -- through voting and fundraising."
Fussner, who lives in Singapore, encouraged convention delegates to remind friends and families living abroad "that their civic duty does not end at the water's edge. Their vote matters and every vote counts -- those cast here or abroad."
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, president of Republican Mayors and Local Officials, said his city is a model because it paid for improvements and development "in cash."
"Today, we are building a community that is more walkable, more sustainable and more business friendly ... with the kind of common-sense economic policies that we need in Washington. Policies that Mitt Romney will deliver."
