TAMPA, Fla. — Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus gaveled in the 2012 Republican National Convention Monday afternoon, in the process unveiling two massive national debt clocks.
To cheers from delegates and guest — and with Hurricane Isaac menacing in the Gulf of Mexico — Priebus announced the beginning of the RNC.
“Ladies and gentlemen, by the authority contained in the rules adopted by the 2008 Republican National Convention, the Republican National Committee has directed that the 2012 Republican National Convention be held in Tampa, Fla. starting at 2 p.m. on the 27th day of August 2012,” he said.
“So it is my privilege to proclaim the 2012 Republican National Convention in session and called to order,” Priebus said with six slams of the gavel and immediately announced a recess, ending official activities until Tuesday as a result of Hurricane Isaac.
While in recess, Priebus directed attendees to focus on two large debt clocks overhead — one bearing the ever increasing national debt, the other displaying the debt tally accrued just during the convention.
“For this convention we also want to draw your attention to the unprecedented fiscal recklessness of the Obama administration depicted by the real time national debt clock shown here in the arena,” he said. “For this convention we have actually installed a second national debt clock that will log the debt that accrues during the course of this convention.”
The national debt is at a record $15.9 trillion and that the Obama administration has overseen an $5 trillion increase in the debt.
“This clock reminds every delegate and every American why we are here in Tampa – because America can and must do better,” Priebus said in a statement in advance of the unveiling. “Every American’s share of the national debt has increased by approximately $16,000 during the current administration.”
