Florida Republican Leaders Speak At RNC
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CLEVELAND (CBSMiami) – The tone of Wednesday night's Republican National Convention was decidedly less "anti-Hillary" and more "pro-Trump".
While Indiana Governor Mike Pence was the headliner of the evening as he accepted his party's nomination for the Vice-Presidency, his opening acts included some of Florida's most influential Republican leaders.
Governor Rick Scott spoke early in the night's program, and thanked the country for its continued prayers following the Orlando massacre.
"I cried with the grieving moms and dads and brothers and sisters of the 49 people slaughtered by an ISIS-inspired terrorist," Gov. Scott said. "This war is real. It is here in America. And the next president must destroy this evil."
Governor Scott said Donald Trump is the man for the job, even if he is a little rough around the edges.
"We need a president who is politically incorrect and will tell it like it is," he said.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke a little later.
"Florida, I love you. I love you," she said, before turning serious. "November 8th is a day of reckoning for all those who have abused their power."
Bondi's connections to Trump stretch beyond party affiliation.
Bondi accepted donations from Trump and her office decided not to pursue legal action against Trump University despite dozens of complaints.
Her speech focused on "restoring the rule of law" and the important role the next President will play in filling vacancies on the Supreme Court.
"Hillary will stack the Supreme Court with liberal justices who will allow government to continue its rampage against our individual rights with utter contempt for our Second Amendment," she said.
It's no surprise there are several speakers from Florida here. It's the largest swing state in the nation.
It's also Trump's second home.
Many of the state's 99 delegates once supported Senator Marco Rubio for President.
After publicly bashing each other in a bitter primary race, Rubio has jumped on the so-called "Trump Train", expressing his support, yet still keeping his distance, with this video message.
"After a long and spirited primary, the time for fighting is over," Rubio said. "It's time to come together and fight for a new direction for America. It's time to win in November."
He said Trump would cut taxes and combat Islamic extremism.
Rubio is one of a handful of senators who decided not to come to Cleveland in order to focus on their re-election campaigns in their home states.
On Thursday, the Florida delegation will visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then it's back here to the convention hall where Donald Trump will get the rockstar treatment, as he officially accepts his party's nomination for the presidency.
