Voices of the Republican delegates
(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - The 2,000 delegates in attendance at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., are the party's faithful, gathering here to officially nominate the Romney-Ryan ticket and, back at home, spending hours promoting the GOP. Their passion for politics matches their passion for the issues, and CBSNews.com talked to several delegates about the economy, women's issues, Mitt Romney and more.
On the economy
"I like his business background. It's important to have someone who has a business background, someone who understands the economy, someone who thinks economic issues are business issues." -Danny Miller, Idaho
This election is "about the economy. It's about the future of our country, the future of our children and grandchildren [and] the failed policies of this last administration we had." --Sue Sharkey, Colorado
"He's a successful businessman and will create a climate friendly for businesses." --Oscar Poole, Georgia
"Our economics are only going to as high as our moral standards are. If our moral standards are low, we're going to have low economics." --Philip Smith, Michigan
On women's issues
On abortion: "I don't think the government has the right to decide that. They say women have a right to do what they want with their own bodies, well the baby's not their own body." --Philip Smith, Michigan
"It's unfortunate that that's the rhetoric that the other side puts out there - that we hate women, that couldn't be further from the truth." --Debra Maggart, Tennessee
"When I hear about the gender gap, I think about the gender gap President Obama has with the men." --Sue Sharkey, Colorado
On President Obama
"Barack Obama is still hiding his college transcripts for one thing and a whole lot of other stuff. Why are [Romney's taxes] such a big issue when the current president is hiding his birth certificate. ... I'm trying to figure out a nice way to say it. I don't particularly like him. He has been effective in taking the country towards socialism or communism, whichever word you want to use." --Allan Banner, Ohio
"I think the current president's a good guy, a nice guy. I just think he's in over his head." --Danny Miller, Idaho
"I'm not a fan of his. I know Mitt Romney personally. Obama's a Marxist, a socialist." --Oscar Poole, Georgia
On running mate Paul Ryan
"He brought fire to this campaign. He has major pizzazz. He has what Romney lacks." --Oscar Poole, Georgia
"I love Paul Ryan. I think we got a CEO and a CFO and we're on the go." --Dena Barnes, North Carolina
On Mitt Romney
"I think of leadership. I think he's got some great leadership qualities that he can bring. He stands up, he says what he believes." --Dena Barnes, North Carolina.
On changing views: "I don't think he, as a person, has changed. I think when he was in Massachusetts governing, it was for a different constituency than to the American people." --Sue Sharkey, Colorado
On the convention speeches
"I want hear a little bit more, to get to know him (Romney) a little bit better. " --Dena Barnes, Colorado
"Ann Romney really gave us that insight into him as a man, as a father, as a husband as a grandfather. I think that's what women want to see is that more personal side of this man that they can connect with." --Sue Sharkey, Colorado
"It's time to hear [his ideas]. This is the time for those plans and ideas to be fleshed out." --Debra Maggart, Tennessee
CBS News complete convention coverage
