Mitt Romney reintroduced himself to the nation as a tender family man and a tough-minded leader who will create 12 million jobs and restore the “promise of America.”  Meanwhile his campaign has shifted into high gear as delegates from Missouri and across the country are pledging to work hard for the Romney-Ryan ticket. Though Missouri trends red, Missouri Republicans say they won’t leave anything to chance. Read Rob Koenig’s report from Tampa in the St. Louis Beacon.

KMBC reporter Michael Mahoney reports that former U.S. Sen. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond  told Missouri delegates that Navy Seals should have taken prisoners in the raid that killed terrorist Osam bin Laden. Mahoney added that Bond accused Obama afterward of crippling the agency that oversaw the effort with budget cuts. Read Mahoney’s blog entry.

In accepting his party’s nomination for vice president, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan delivered a strong message about fiscal responsibility, economic growth and America’s future. His mission is to energize the GOP base but also ease concerns that independent voters might have about the impact of his budget proposals, which mirror those of Mitt Romney in most ways. Read Rob Koenig’s report in the St. Louis Beacon.

Missouri House floor leader and likely next Speaker Tim W. Jones of Eureka discusses with the St. Louis Beacon the impact of GOP VP  candidate Paul Ryan on the race in Missouri and nationally.