Posted at: 08/30/2012 11:07 PM
Updated at: 08/30/2012 11:36 PM
By: Dietrich Nissen

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Republican National Convention Wraps Up

(ABC 6 News) -- On Thursday night Mitt Romney told Americans he wanted President Obama to succeed so the nation would succeed. Instead he said, “Obama's promises gave way to disappointment and division."

He believes President Obama hasn't moved America forward as he had promised. Romney also focused much of his speech around family and tried connecting with voters on a personal level.

Most importantly though, Romney laid out his plan for the economy with five points saying his plan could create 12 million jobs. The first is to remove the U.S.’s dependence on foreign energy. The other four relate to job creation and sustention. He specifically focused on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Thursday’s speeches marked the end of this year's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

In Southeast Minnesota, most of the people paying attention to the convention say it could not have gone any better. The message many took away was President Obama failed to deliver on his promise of change and now it's time for Mitt Romney to have his chance at fixing the country.

"I think it was a pretty good convention," says voter, Leo Sochanek.

"We've begun a series where we'll start hearing the issues of the campaign instead of the personalities of the campaign," says another voter, Gene Peters. The two praised the convention's speakers, especially Ann Romney's efforts to reach out to women and Latino voters.

"I think Ann Romney did an outstanding job," says Sochanek.

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty also took the stage, taking jabs at President Obama.

"Barack Obama is the first president to create more excuses than jobs," said Pawlenty. But his jokes paled in comparison to the harsh words from Romney's running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan.

"We have suffered no shortage of words in the White House. What is missing is leadership in the White House," said Ryan to ear-shattering applause.

"This has been one of the best Republican National Conventions I think that I've ever watched, " says former Minnesota Republican Congressman, Gil Gutknecht. He believes the convention empowered the Romeny-Ryan ticket.

"I think they'll probably come out of this convention with at least a four point bounce in the polls," says Gutknecht. "This election is going to come down to some fairly simple things and that is that, if you're really satisfied with the way things have gone for the last four years, you're probably going to vote for Barack Obama. If you're not satisfied the chances are good you're going to vote for Mitt Romney."

And for some local voters who are openly dissatisfied with the country’s economy, they say their votes are locked in for the Grand Old Party.

"We cannot continue on this path that we're on. We'll bankrupt ourselves," says Gene Peters.

"Mitt needs to come out and just be very strong on the economy, and what his specific plans are to help us get back on track," says Sochanek.

Democrats begin their convention next week in Charlotte, North Carolina. Speakers include former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and, President Obama.