Locals Oddie of Wilbur-by-the-Sea and Swanson of DeBary weigh in
Photos for Headline Surfer / Robert Fortner, a Republican state committeeman from DeLand, cheers during Mitt Romney's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.TAMPA -- Robert Fortner, a GOP state committeeman from DeLand, liked what he heard from Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in his acceptance speech at the convention.
The impressions of Volusia County Republicans who attended the convention comes in No. 3 in Headline Surfer's ranking of the Top 10 Florida stories of 2012.
"He gave us what we wanted to hear," the 68-year-old retired custom automotive car and boat manufacturer said on his way back to his hotel. "He had a job to do to accept the nomination and he delivered. He was very positive for the country's future."
Fortner was particularly impressed by Romney's reference to the role his wife, Ann played in raising their five sons while he was on the road and she was left with making sure the boys were taken care of, including doing their homework.
"Everyone in their family believes that this was an important job," Fortner said, explaining he heard the children speak of their mother's role in their upbringing.
Fortner said he enjoyed Clint Eastwood's speech and his references to Obama as if he were speaking to him, and he was particularly impressed by Florida's first-term US Sen. Marco Rubio's introduction of Romney to the podium.
"He really understands what this country needs and where Romney will take it," Fortner said.
Jim Oddie of Wilbur-by-the-Sea and a political consultant, attended the Republican National Convention in Tampa, as shown here.
Another attendee who believed Romney hit a home run in his acceptance speech was GOP political consultant Jim Oddie, reinforcing the Republican Party's campaign's slogan: "We Believe in America.
Oddie, who lives in Wilbur-by-the Sea, the little beachside hamlet nestled between Ponce Inlet, Port Orange and Daytona Beach Shoes, said he is convinced the message played loud and clear for folks back home in Volusia County and across America.
"Everyone was waiting to see how he would define himself," said Oddie, who listened intently to the presidential hopeful from his seat in the convention hall.
Oddie said the primary message Romney delivered was putting Americans back to work in good-paying jobs and building better family units as a result.
"Mitt wants us to see an economy again where one parent can make the money due to a strong and vibrant economy," Oddie said. "It may be idealistic like the Cleavers, where Ward goes off to work and June stays home with Wally and the Beaver, but it can happen."
Dana Doughterty Swanson of DeBary was a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention as shown here.
Dana Doughterty Swanson, a state GOP committeewoman who attended the convention, said the event gave the public a positive picture of the Romneys and why they were deserving of the party's nomination.
"Ann Romney’s speech to the American public showed Mitt Romney as a family man and the personal side of him that has not been publicized by the media," said Swanson, who since the convention has contributed a regular blog for Headline Surfer called "Dana's Docket." She also became a regular panelist on the 24/7 Internet newspaper's online show, "The Roundtable."
Swanson added, "Mitt Romney his speech and everything leading up to that, presented a complete picture of the candidate: personal, professional and charitable."