Politics
Election 2012: Mayor Mia Love to have prime time slot at Republican National Convention
A video will tell Love’s life story before she gives a 3-minute speech emphasizing her politics of fiscal discipline, limited government and personal responsibility, said Utah Republican Chairman Thomas Wright, who is helping prepare her remarks.
“This is a natural fit for her. Her talking points are in line with Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan. That’s why they need her to speak, and they need her in Washington to move the agenda along,” Wright said.
Love’s speaking engagement is “a big deal” that shows the party is behind her, said Kirk Jowers of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Jowers likened Love’s potential opportunity to President Barack Obama’s breakthrough Democratic convention speech in 2004.
Love has avoided missteps and doesn’t have a political record to attack, he said.
“Mia Love comes with a clean slate,” Jowers said. “She is easily Jim Matheson’s toughest race, and the most unique one for him. He’s been incredibly effective in past campaigns, but Mayor Love is a completely different challenger.”
National Republicans and tea-party activists are helping fund her campaign. Love has nearly matched Matheson’s fundraising pace since April, although Matheson has four times as much or about US$1.2 million in the bank.
