By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – The 2012 Republican National Convention kicked off Tuesday morning after the threat of Hurricane Isaac pushed back activities a full day.
GOP leaders took a formal roll call Tuesday afternoon, officially giving their nomination to Mitt Romney.
Romney has 58 delegates in Tennessee. They say they're fired up about his nomination.
"There was some concern initially so a lot of things were re-scheduled to accommodate that, but today we're back on our regular schedule," said Republican delegate at-large Susan Richardson Williams.
Williams is one of many Knoxville-area Romney delegates who say they are putting their full support behind the Romney-Ryan ticket.
"They're a perfect team to deal with the economy and the tough issues we have with this country," Williams said.
Rep. Ryan Haynes of Knoxville says this election has a greater meaning.
"I believe that this time is one of our most significant elections of our lifetime," he said.
The delegates were greeted Tuesday morning by Sen. Bob Corker and Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr.
Two of Mitt Romney's sons shared with Tennessee delegates personal stories about their father.
"It's inspiring to hear what a great father he was to these boys," Randy Boyd said.
Aside from picking a nominee, committees and organizations meet to set rules and regulations for the party for the next four years.
"There's a tremendous amount of activity going on. It's just not what happens on television on prime time," Boyd said.
Romney and Ryan are behind in some national polls. Delegates said they can close the gap.
"They got to go out there and explain to the American people that they have a plan, that they are the people with experience, and they are the folks that can put us back to work and get us out of the debt situation," Williams said.
Republicans have approved their party platform, which would ban all abortions and gay marriages, plus reshape Medicare into a voucher-like program.
Democrats are calling the platform "extreme" and "draconian."
