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.
Tampa (CNN) -- On the night vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan made his debut on the national stage, the GOP turned its attention to America's influence abroad and what the party sees as President Barack Obama's failed economic policies. The roster of speakers at the Republican National Convention boasted two of the party's foreign policy heavy hitters and rhetoric designed to appeal to voters who are still undecided. Here are five things we learned from the convention's second night:
1. Romney's enforcer comes to play
On Tuesday, the GOP convention was about love (Ann Romney) and respect (Chris Christie).
But to the chagrin of head-scratching Republicans eager to take the fight to President Barack Obama, there wasn't much talk in the Tampa Bay Times Forum about the current administration in Washington.
Paul Ryan put those anxieties to rest on Wednesday with a lengthy, aggressive and systematic attack on Obama's record in office, with one question as the thesis: "Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?"
Ryan, criticized by Democrats as the architect of a budget plan that would gut Medicare, went on offense on the issue in the heart of retiree-heavy Florida.
"The greatest threat to Medicare is Obamacare, and we are going to stop it," he said.
Ryan: Let's get this done!
Van Hollen on opening night RNC speeches
Condoleezza Rice on minority voters
McCain reflects on 2008 campaign
There were also flashes of biography as the Wisconsin congressman tried to introduce himself to a country still learning about Mitt Romney's running mate.
But it was clear from his sharpened rhetoric that the Romney campaign sent Ryan onstage to make the case against Obama.
He described Obamacare as a cold "power play," condemned Solyndra as "cronyism at its worst" and said the president is "forever shifting blame."
Then there was this line, sure to be remembered for its trenchant appeal to younger voters who had hoped for more from Obama: "College graduates should not have to live out their 20's in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life."
Responding in a statement, Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said Ryan "offered Americans 40 minutes of vitriol and a half-dozen previously debunked attacks, but not one tangible idea to move this country forward."
Ryan: White House leadership missing
2. On weak spots, let surrogates shine
Republicans' nearly singular focus on the economy took a back seat Wednesday when Sen. John McCain and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took the stage to talk foreign policy, a topic Mitt Romney makes little mention of on the stump and that has been largely absent from the national political debate.
Romney faces a solid foreign policy record from the current president, who voters consistently say in polls would better handle America's relationships with other countries if re-elected. In the latest CNN/ORC International survey released earlier this week, President Barack Obama had a 51%-44% advantage over Romney on foreign policy.
Facing those facts, the Romney campaign chose Wednesday to use conservatives with well-established foreign policy credentials to make the case that Obama has failed a test of leadership in key international hot spots, including in Syria and Iran.
"Unfortunately, for four years, we've drifted away from our proudest traditions of global leadership, traditions that are truly bipartisan," McCain said. "We've let the challenges we face, both at home and abroad, become harder to solve. We can't afford to stay on that course any longer."
Rice echoed many of the same themes. The former secretary of state said Romney and Ryan "know that our friends and allies must again be able to trust us," what she said was Obama's weakness on the international stage.
Yet even Rice turned back to the economy, saying when the world looks at the United States, "they see an American government that cannot live within its means."
Rice and McCain's remarks were a brief side track to a convention overwhelmingly focused on blaming Obama for the weak economy and how Romney plans to fix it. As Republican strategist and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos noted, neither campaign thinks foreign policy will make a big difference to voters struggling with high unemployment and stagnant wages.
"It's not going to matter at the end," Castellanos said. "Both campaigns, I think, but especially the [Romney] campaign, wants to move on to the economy. And Barack Obama now has the experience, four years as commander-in-chief. So I put that is a plus for the Democrats in the fall."
McCain: Can't have security threatened
3. Faith does matter
Four years ago, as they were battling for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, Mike Huckabee questioned Romney's Mormon faith.
Four years later, as he addressed the Republican convention in prime time, the former Arkansas governor had a very different message.
"I care far less as to where Mitt Romney takes his family to church than I do about where he takes this country," said Huckabee, who still wields influence among social conservatives. Some in that key component of the Republican base still harbor suspicions of Romney 's faith.
While this convention is supposed to focus mostly on the economy, and while Huckabee did attack Obama over his handling of the issue, he did made the case for why social conservatives need to rally around their party's presidential nominee.
"Let me clear the air about whether guys like me would only support an evangelical. Of the four people on the two tickets, the only self-professed evangelical is Barack Obama, and he supports changing the definition of marriage, believes that human life is disposable and expendable at any time in the womb or even beyond the womb, and tells people of faith that they must bow their knees to the god of government and violate their faith and conscience in order to comply with what he calls health care," he said.
Republican strategist John Branbender said that social conservatives are extremely committed to beating Obama. "The important thing Mitt Romney needs to do is moving them from being voters in November to being activists."
"And the difference is showing and voting and making phone calls, putting bumper stickers on their cars, and frankly that's where a Mike Huckabee, a Rick Santorum, and others, make it so vital, because they're out there on the front lines with social conservatives saying 'the war is now. This is the most important election in our lifetime. We have to win and we have to get active behind Mitt Romney.'"
How faith will matter at the RNC
4. Condi Rice: A star Is born
Romney advisers gave Condoleezza Rice rave reviews earlier this summer after she addressed a room of Republican donors and GOP officials at a closed-door campaign confab in Park City, Utah.
On Wednesday, the country got a glimpse of the political skills and stage presence that may have prompted Romneyland to float Rice as a potential running mate in a buzzed-about leak to the Drudge Report in July.
The former secretary of state under George W. Bush and current Stanford professor showed off her foreign policy acumen with a fluent (if somewhat predictable) defense of America's role in the world.
"My fellow Americans, we do not have a choice," she said. "We cannot be reluctant to lead, and one cannot lead from behind.
But it was Rice's tribute the American dream, the second half of her speech was laced with nods to her personal story and difficult upbringing in segregated Alabama, that had the convention crowd and political watchers mesmerized.
"America has a way of making the impossible seem inevitable in retrospect," she said. "But of course it has never been inevitable. It has taken leadership, courage and an unwavering faith in our values."
Her speech set Twitter alight.
"Lump in throat," said Florida GOP operative Ryan Duffy.
"The birth of a candidate," tweeted Roll Call editor David Drucker.
"A memorable speech," political analyst Stuart Rothenberg wrote. "Wow."
Rice: America can't lead from behind
5. Romney and Ryan don't see iPod to iPod
If you thought that Romney and his running mate are always on the same page, they're not. Ryan highlighted where the GOP ticket splits: on their playlists.
The first member of Generation X on a presidential ticket pointed out one of the biggest differences in his vice presidential acceptance speech.
"We're a full generation apart, Gov. Romney and I," Ryan said. "And, in some ways, we're a little different. There are the songs on his iPod, which I've heard on the campaign bus. And on many hotel elevators. He actually urged me to play some of these songs at campaign rallies. I said, I hope it's not a deal-breaker, Mitt, but my playlist starts with AC/DC and ends with Zeppelin," said Ryan.
Ryan was obviously having some fun, but there's a serious side to his comments. By highlighting their differences over music, Ryan also emphasized his youth. It was accentuated by the 42-year-old congressman's wife and young children joining him on the stage following his speech. And that infusion of youth on a ticket headed by someone in his mid-60s could help.
Ryan spoke the word "generation" a number of times in his address, at one point saying "I accept the calling of my generation to give our children the America that was given to us, with opportunity for the young and security for the old, and I know that we are ready."
With national and state polling indicating that Obama holds a large advantage among younger voters over Romney, Ryan can only help.
"We've got our first rock 'n' roll Republican on a national ticket. And that's something Mitt Romney lacked," Castellanos said. "Mitt Romney hadn't made the case yet about taking this campaign into the future. Obama's saying that Mitt Romney wants to go back. Paul Ryan is evidence that this party wants to move forward."
'Gen Xer' Paul Ryan takes up GOP torch, makes case to young voters
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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.
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