Presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivers his acceptance speech on the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Thursday, August 30. See the best photos from the Democratic National Convention.
(CNN) -- The first full day of the Republican National Convention was heavy with female speakers and light on the red meat that normally fires up the base. Here are five things we learned from the convention's first night:
1. Ann Romney's speech lives up to expectations
Ann Romney spelled it out right near the top of her speech: "I want to talk to you tonight not about politics and not about party."
Instead, her mission was to present to voters a softer and warmer side of her husband, something that polls show isn't apparent to many Americans.
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Confetti remains on the floor of the Republican National Convention after presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivered his acceptance speech on Thusday, August 30. Photographer Zoran Milich wandered around Tampa this week during the convention. Look back at his view of the action.
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"I want to talk to you about the deep and abiding love I have for a man I met at a dance many years ago. And the profound love I have, and I know we share, for this country," Romney said, adding, "I know this good and decent man for what he is: warm and loving and patient."
The Romney campaign sees the candidate's wife as one of his most effective surrogates, and expectations were high. She lived up to them.
Romney also used the speech to portray herself as an ordinary woman, regardless of her family's wealth.
"We got married and moved into a basement apartment. We walked to class together, shared the housekeeping and ate a lot of pasta and tuna fish," Romney said, describing their early years together. "Our desk was a door propped up on sawhorses. Our dining room table was a fold-down ironing board in the kitchen."
Did she do what she needed to?
"A powerful speech from Ann Romney," said CNN's Wolf Blitzer, chief anchor of the network's coverage of the convention.
CNN chief political analyst David Gergen said, "Ann Romney added to the vote that Mitt Romney is already likely to get. That was very, very important. Ann Romney's speech has a chance to be remembered for a long time."
CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley, anchor of "State of the Union," agreed: "I think Ann Romney gave a speech people will remember."
Ari Fleischer, a CNN contributor and former George W. Bush White House press secretary, said, "She gave a speech from a mom's point of view. Moms can understand" what she was saying.
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2. No more "presumptive"
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To roaring cheers, the New Jersey delegation put Mitt Romney over the 1,144-delegate threshold, officially making him the GOP challenger against President Barack Obama. The final tally gave the former Massachusetts governor 2,061 delegates, with Rep. Ron Paul of Texas a distant second at 190 and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with nine votes.
When Santorum suspended his bid for the Republican nomination in April, Romney became the "presumptive" nominee. Months later, the adjective is needed no more.
While it was a formality, the roll call did have a bit of drama, as it was briefly interrupted by protests from Paul supporters from the Maine delegation. And the Paul votes were not announced from the podium. The episodes highlighted the continuing bad blood between Paul supporters and other grass-roots conservatives and Romney backers.
One of the missions of the convention is to have Republicans further close ranks behind their nominee. But how happy are Republicans with Romney as their nominee?
Hours before the start of the roll call, a new CNN/ORC International poll indicated that a minority in the GOP would still like to see someone else as their nominee.
Nearly seven in 10 Republicans are happy with Romney, but the remainder say they would rather see someone else at the top of the ticket. While that might sound bad, it's pretty good compared with the previous GOP nominee. In mid-August 2008, more than four in 10 Republicans said they would prefer someone other than Sen. John McCain at the top of the ticket.
Though this convention has finally, officially and formally brought an end to the race for the GOP nomination, it apparently hasn't brought an end to the displeasure felt by a small minority in the party.
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3. Paul supporters fight to the bitter end
The first full day of convention proceedings went largely without a glitch, except for the loud, angry protests from supporters of Paul, whose third bid for the Republican presidential nomination officially came to an end Tuesday.
Paul's supporters were angry their candidate wasn't speaking from the podium at his party's official gathering. They were angry that 10 of Paul's 20 delegates from Maine were replaced with delegates for Romney. And they were angry that the GOP changed its party rules to make grass-roots campaign efforts like Paul's more difficult in the future.
Those new rules, pushed last week by members of Romney's campaign, will compel states to assign delegates according to statewide vote, making it harder for candidates such as Paul to garner delegates as the primaries wear on. The rule change also drew the ire of tea party groups, who say it represents a power grab by the GOP establishment seeking to squelch outside voices.
Asked about the pushback Monday, Russ Schriefer, a Romney campaign adviser, said the GOP was a "big party" united in its effort to defeat Obama. Yet it remains to be seen whether Paul's backers, who stuck with their candidate long after it was clear that he stood no chance of winning the GOP nomination, will cast ballots for Romney come November.
One Paul delegate, Tom Bronza, said the series of slights from the national Republicans had him seriously questioning his vote.
"The way I was treated here today, I felt like I was picked on a lot by a number of different people, so I'm not too happy about that," Bronza said. "If I was well-received and no shenanigans, I would have considered it in November."
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4. Trying to close the gender gap?
We won't go as far as calling it "ladies night," but the GOP used the first evening of the convention to showcase some of the party's rising female stars. And the final and most crucial hour of Tuesday night was highlighted by a warm and personal address by Ann Romney and a keynote speech in which New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie praised his mother.
Some of the most high-profile speakers were women, ranging from congressional candidate Mia Love of Utah, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Govs. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
"I'm not sure if men really understand this, but I don't think there's a woman in America who really expects her life to be easy. In our own ways, we all know better!" Ann Romney said.
And Christie, who lost his mother eight years ago, used much of the first half of his high-profile speech to honor her, saying "In the automobile of life, Dad was just a passenger. Mom was the driver."
Romney faces a persistent deficit among female voters in most national and key battleground state polling. According to a CNN/ORC International survey conducted last week, Obama held a 54% to 42% lead among female likely votes, with Romney holding a 53% to 43% lead among male likely voters.
Republicans are optimistic that they'll gain ground among women voters.
"I actually think that this gender gap is going to close up," Ayotte told Crowley.
"It's about the debt. It's about what we're passing onto the next generation. And also what jobs are available for our kids that are coming out of college. And we look at the number of college kids that are unemployed or underemployed. Those are really those bread and butter issues that at the end of the day, I think are going to bring women to the polls and around to Gov. Romney," added Ayotte.
CNN contributor and Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said the GOP is demonstrating that it's a big tent party.
"The Republican Party is doing a good job of demonstrating the softer side of the GOP, that it is not just the party of business guys in suits," Castellanos said.
It's going to take a lot more than one good night for Romney to close the gap, but Tuesday night appeared like Republicans are trying.
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5. Christie lite?
When Republicans announced that Christie would deliver the keynote address at their party convention, politicos anticipated a fiery, tough-talking speech from the New Jersey governor.
Delegates got the fire but also saw something rare from Christie: some introspection from someone considered to be the next Republican star.
"This stage and this moment are very improbable for me," Christie said at the beginning of his address before telling delegates about his parents, wife and children.
He was still critical of the administration, though he never mentioned Obama by name. Christie characterized current political leaders as "paralyzed by our desire to be loved," saying it was more important for the United States to be respected than well-liked.
He called the past four years an "era of absentee leadership in the Oval Office," a sharp rebuke of Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, and made the case that Democrats have "failed America" by increasing the size and scope of the federal government.
But the thrust of Christie's speech harked back to what he's become most famous for: saying what other politicians won't.
"We must lead the way our citizens live," Christie said of elected officials. "To lead as my mother insisted I live, not by avoiding truths, especially the hard ones, but by facing up to them and being the better for it."
In the early days of this cycle's GOP primary, many Republican donors urged Christie to jump into the contest himself, arguing that his no-nonsense style would be an effective counterbalance to Obama's larger themes of hope and change.
Christie gave serious thought to a presidential bid, ultimately deciding against a run. But his truth-telling has been displayed frequently on the campaign trail for Romney, whom he endorsed in October amid a contentious battle for the GOP primary.
By telling the convention crowd Tuesday that Republicans were willing to offer harsh truths to Americans, Christie was also playing up his strongest, most characteristic personality trait.
"We've never been a country to shy away from the truth," Christie said. He could also have been talking about himself.
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Attendees celebrate as confetti and balloons drop after Romney's speech.
Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan take the stage with their families at the end of the night.
People bow their heads for the benediction to wrap up the GOP convention.
Romney and Ryan wave to the audience after Romney's speech, which described a future of opportunity and promise for the nation.
Romney greets supporters as he enters the arena Thursday.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio introduces Romney after his speech.
Delegates wave signs on the final day of the RNC.
Actor Clint Eastwood speaks as a surprise guest.
Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, and son Josh sit in the VIP box.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks on stage.
A man holds an American flag in the audience.
Pam Finlayson speaks during the convention.
Jane Edmonds, the former Massachusetts secretary of workforce, delivers remarks.
Olympians and gold medalists Michael Eruzione, Derek Parra and Kim Rhode stand on stage at the convention.
A woman clasps her hands during the program.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and his wife, Callista, speak during a tribute to former president Ronald Reagan on Thursday.
Callista and Newt Gingrich take the stage during the final day of the Republican National Convention.
Delegates listen to the national anthem at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry applauds during the final day of the convention.
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Florida, speaks on stage during the final day.
Law enforcement officials work to free protesters with Earth First, who had connected themselves to each other in front of the Big Bend TECO Power Station in Apollo Beach, Florida. Substantially fewer protesters took to the downtown Tampa streets Thursday.
GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.
Paul Ryan's wife, Janna, is flanked by her sons Charlie, left, and Sam during Ryan's keynote address Wednesday night.
A woman grasps her hands during speeches on the third day of the GOP convention.
Paul Ryan and his wife and children exit the stage after the biggest speech of his political career.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Wednesday. She accused President Barack Obama of yielding the nation's leadership role in the world.
George Engelbach, dressed as President Abraham Lincoln, attends the GOP convention.
Mike Huckabee, a Republican candidate in the 2008 presidential primaries, backs his one-time rival Mitt Romney.
A woman snaps an image with her iPhone during Wednesday night's events.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty takes the convention stage.
Delegate Carlos Mendez of Puerto Rico watches Wednesday night's program.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez delivers remarks. Her speech emphasized her belief in the American Dream.
Delegate Crystal Berg of Hartford, Wisconsin, cries while watching the George H.W. Bush tribute Wednesday night.
Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, speaks to the audience.
As Sen. John McCain speaks, some audience members display happy birthday posters.
Sen. John McCain, who was a POW during the Vietnam War, addresses the crowd.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention.
Col.Oscar Poole of Georgia puts his arm around Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention. His father, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, was one of the hopefuls for the 2012 nomination.
Former President George W. Bush is shown on the giant screens at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
A woman gestures during the third day of the Republican National Convention.
Rosemary Edwards of Austin, Texas, kisses the face of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention.
A woman holds a campaign sign.
Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio speaks at the podium.
Delegates from Maine and supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul chant "As Maine goes, so goes the nation" after they staged a walkout at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Paul Ryan speaks during a soundcheck Wednesday.
Ryan waves with daughter, Liza Ryan, and sons, Charlie Ryan, right, and Sam Ryan from the stage during a soundcheck.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney exits a vehicle before boarding his campaign plane. As the Republican National Convention continues, Romney will travel to Indianapolis to address the American Legion.
Laura Bowman accepts Bradley Thompson's proposal on the stage. Thompson is a production manager and Bowman is a production coordinator for the convention.
Arizona Sen. John McCain walks the floor.
Bradley Thompson kneels down to propose to Laura Bowman, who accepted, on the stage.
Journalists and media work the third day of the Republican National Convention.
Ryan gives the thumbs-up during a sound check at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Ann Romney, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife, greets a crowd of supporters on Tuesday.
Mitt Romney joins his wife on stage shortly after she addressed the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Tuesday, August 28.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers the keynote address to wrap up the first full night of the convention.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney sits between his wife, Ann, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during Gov. Chris Christie's speech.
Concluding the first night of speech, Chris Christie declared Republicans were willing to face the tough issues and find solutions that work.
Delegates watch Gov. Chris Christie deliver the keynote address.
A delegate snaps a photograph of Chris Christie just before his speech.
As the crowd cheers, Mitt Romney embraces his wife, Ann, on stage during the convention.
An excerpt from Ann Romney's speech is displayed on a teleprompter Tuesday. She repeatedly referred to her first date with Mitt Romney in urging Americans to trust him to fix the nation's problems.
A veteran claps during Ann Romney's speech.
Ann Romney addresses the crowd in the biggest political speech of her life. She concluded by declaring "you can trust Mitt."
Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum addresses the crowd Tuesday.
Leslie Jones of Virginia Beach, Virginia, wears a hat with tea bags attached.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich waves as he takes the stage.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich walks the floor.
American pop opera singer Neal E. Boyd performs at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
American country and gospel vocal quartet Oak Ridge Boys perform.
Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, who is running for the U.S. Senate, speaks.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley waves on stage.
Former U.S. Rep. Artur Davis speaks. He changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican earlier this year.
Delegates crowd the floor after the tallying of votes during the roll call for nomination of president of the United States at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Delegates display signs in support of Mitt Romney after the tallying of votes during the roll call for nomination of president of the United States.
Scott Romney, brother of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, cheers during the roll call.
People cheer as the screen displays "Over The Top" during the roll call of delegates.
Supporters flash posters supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
People hold signs that say "Mitt!" as U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, speaks.
Delegates from host state Florida face photographers and cameras as they pose for the official convention photograph.
A delegate takes a picture of the floor at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Ann Romney, Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's wife, stands onstage with stage manager Howard Kolins during a soundcheck.
People from the Texas delegation say the Pledge of Allegiance.
A delegate from Wisconsin sports a cheese hat at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Ann Romney leans on a seat aboard the campaign plane en route to Tampa.
Karl Rove, former deputychief of staff and senior policy adviser to President George W. Bush, talks on a phone at the convention hall.
Republican candidate Ron Paul waves to supporters at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
A woman cheers during the second day of the Republican National Convention.
A delegate checks out the convention floor before other delegates arrive at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
A convention attendee carries a bag with a Time magazine featuring Mitt Romney on the cover.
A participant walks the convention floor before the start of proceedings Tuesday. Organizers pushed events back a day because of concerns about Isaac.
The Republican National Convention officially began Monday, August 27, but the bulk of the action was delayed until Tuesday.
A woman captures the goings-on with her phone before the start of the shortened first day of the Republican National Convention.
The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, convenes the convention with a bang of a gavel.
Priebus raises the gavel as he convenes the Republican National Convention.
Lynne David walks behind a group of law enforcement officers as they patrol the streets before the convention.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie walks through the convention center before the start of the abbreviated first day.
Last-minute adjustments are made to the main stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on the abbreviated first day of the GOP convention.
An elephant logo is featured on the side of a tent outside of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Two convention-goers wear plastic bags as shelter from the rain caused by Tropical Storm Isaac.
A man reads a newspaper in the empty seats of the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu, left, stands at the podium with stage manager Howard Kolins before events begin Monday.
Men wearing cowboy hats stand on the arena floor before the start of the abbreviated first day.
Convention staff hang a Romney-Ryan sign at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Sunday, August 26, in preparation for the Republican National Convention.
A tribute to NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong, who died Saturday, August 25, is displayed at the GOP convention as preparations continue.
Donald Trump, who accepted the Statesman of the Year Award from the Sarasota County Republican Party, answers questions in Sarasota, Florida.
A microphone is in place at the front of the convention hall in Tampa.
Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul speaks in the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Sunday.
Activists hold signs mocking President Barack Obama at the Tea Party Unity Rally at The River at Tampa Bay Church.
Police officers question protesters carrying an effigy of Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a demonstration in downtown Tampa.
Rachel Bolch Thach tries to shelter herself from the rain in Tampa. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to bring rain and wind to the area and has caused convention officials to delay the start of the convention until Tuesday.
A reflection of the National Debt Clock is seen as Mitt Romney speaks on the last night of the convention.
Balloons and confetti drop after Romney's speech.
A Mitt Romney cutout rides in the front seat of a van advertising a "nude lounge" during the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
Texas delegate Read King kisses his son Benjamin on Thursday.
Californian Kaden Tollestrup, great-nephew of Mitt Romney, strikes a pose for his family on the floor of the convention.
DeLeon Sheffield photographs balloons set to fall from the roof during Thursday night's closing performance with her ensemble with BeBe Winans.
A worker cleans the convention hall on Thursday, the morning after Paul Ryan's speech.
The debt clock is on display in the convention hall.
A sign marking the Ohio delegation sits on empty seats on the floor of the convention hall.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's speech at the convention is televised at a pizza bar in Tampa's Ybor City district on Wednesday, August 29.
People try on hats at Riverside Park in Tampa on Wednesday, August 29.
A protester sits in his car in Ybor City. During a summer road trip, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney once put his family dog in a cage and perched it atop the family car.
Alfred Moreno rolls a cigar in Ybor City, a historic neighborhood in Tampa known for its nightlife.
A Romney cutout is wrapped with the American flag on the floor of the convention.
Romney cookies are sold outside the convention center where protesters are gathered.
A new sign is brought in to be set up in the convention center.
A phone labeled "Moscow" sits in the press center at the Republican National Convention.
Texas delegates sit on the floor of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, August 28.
A Mitt Romney supporter rests her feet after a long day at the Republican National Convention.
California delegate Don Genhart shows off his American flag cowboy boots.
Lighters are confiscated during security checks at the Republican National Convention. They can be reclaimed upon exiting.
Washington state delegates Trin Wilbur and Jeff McMorris dance on the convention floor.
Jaclyn Tupek wears a Lady Liberty hat at a Ron Paul gathering a few blocks from the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Ron Paul supporters hold hands at a rally for the only challenger to Mitt Romney who has not conceded.
Mitt Romney's motorcade arrives in Tampa as the Republican National Convention gets under way.
A painting of former President Ronald Reagan sits in a hallway at the Embassy Suites in Tampa, where many Republicans are staying during the convention.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie casts a shadow on a Romney/Ryan campaign sign while speaking to delegates from Michigan. Christie will deliver the convention's keynote address Tuesday night.
Tampa security forces line up to block a small group of demonstrators on Monday, August 27.
Texas delegates Jason Kute and Stephanie Traska hang on to their hats in the windy Florida city.
Riot police walk through the rainy streets of Tampa on Monday.
A shirtless protester stands in the rain in front of a police line.
One of many message-covered vehicles drives through the streets of Tampa.
Images of Romney appear on the podium Monday at the gavel opening of the RNC.
Actor and active Republican Jon Voight arrives at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Monday.
An electrician at the Tampa Bay Times Forum fixes a light as a limo driver awaits Republican delegates.
Republicans attend the gavel opening Monday. The full proceedings of the first day were canceled because of Tropical Storm Isaac.
Republican Allen Johnson of Texas watches the gavel opening. The seven-minute session went into recess until Tuesday.
A billboard opposing Mitt Romney stands among palm trees Monday.
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, left, with support from his assistant, signs a photograph of himself for political fan Kieth Klickna.
Hand puppets of Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are for sale in Tampa.
Christine Gill from Alaska poses for a picture at a party Sunday, August 26, at Tampa's Tropicana Field.
Convention-goers gather at Tropicana Field for a convention opening party Sunday night.
Larry Mazza of the local carpenters union cleans up wood chips at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Mark Anthoney sells buttons for Mitt Romney supporters on Sunday, August 26.
A T-shirt bashing President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party mimics the logo of "The Sopranos," a television series revolving around a fictional Mafia family.
The teleprompter is tested Sunday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Storm clouds brew Saturday over the Lightning statue in Tampa. As Tropical Storm Isaac (now a hurricane) drew closer, officials decided to push back Monday's scheduled start of the RNC by one day. The storm took a westward path, however.
Mounted police horses from across Florida gear up for the convention.
A pro-Ron Paul Corvette cruises the streets of Tampa.
A Great Dane, Dora, is held back as she jumps for the table during a Dogs Against Romney protest on Sunday.
Young men visiting the convention center run in the rain.
A chalk message is left by protesters a few blocks from the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
House band leader G.E. Smith arrives at the convention center Saturday with a pair of guitars.
Conversion tech Kevin Losier carries a recycling bin shaped like a bottle of Coke.
As Tropical Storm Isaac loomed on Saturday, laborers awaited a decision on whether to tear down tents or continue building them.
Motorcyclists roll into Tampa on Saturday.
Brett Burge removes the vision block on a fence Saturday because of the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac.
Pro-Democratic Party advertisements move through Tampa ahead of the Republican National Convention.
The Original Hooters restaurant welcomes the RNC.
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