Four things to watch at the Republican convention Thursday

A woman watches as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers the keynote address during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Fla.

/ Spencer Platt

(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - Tonight is the most anticipated night of the Republican National Convention as Mitt Romney formally accepts the Republican nomination. Here are four of tonight's expected highlights:

Mitt Romney (10:30 p.m. ET): The stakes are extremely high for Romney as this is traditionally the first real opportunity for presidential nominees to address a wide audience gearing up for the general election. While the stated purpose of the convention is to officially nominate him, his acceptance speech is a mechanism to set the tone of the campaign and introduce himself to voters.

Although Romney and the campaign have spoken very little about what he plans to say tonight, Romney is expected to talk about himself while laying out his vision for the country and offer up a direct contrast with President Obama. A Romney campaign aide told CBS News that his remarks will be a continuation of vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan's acceptance speech Wednesday night, in which Ryan weaved in some policy ideas with a stinging rebuke of President Obama.

The biggest speech of Mitt Romney's life

Marco Rubio (10 p.m. ET): The Florida senator has the crucial job of speaking before Romney. Rubio is considered a rising star in the Republican Party and is representative of the diversity the party is trying to showcase during the convention. As one of the party's most prominent Hispanics, he is sure to talk about his background as the child of Cuban immigrants as well as his views on one of his signature issues: immigration.

(Watch: The 2012 Republican presidential primary, in four minutes.)

Jeb Bush (8 p.m. ET): The brother of former President George W. Bush and former governor of Florida has differed from Romney on policies including taxes and immigration, but he is speaking in his home state and appeals to broad base of Republicans. Bush has been vocal recently about the GOP needing to be more inclusive.

Newt Gingrich (7:50 p.m. ET): After a long primary campaign where he was very critical of Romney, the former House speaker has thrown his weight behind Romney and has become a full-on supporter. His expected forceful and partisan speech is sure to include a lot of red meat to excite the Republican faithful at the convention. Gingrich's wife, Callista, is expected to join him on stage.

[snickers]

Wow that is a whole lotta white people in one room. (And I'm white. But hello)

[goat5691]

I can't bear to watch Pinocchio's nose get any larger.

[nirak2-2009]

4 things to watch for,
Lies, Lies, Lies, Lies, Lies Lies and more Lies.

Show us your tax return Romney!!!!!!

[expatriate2]

Let me guess . . . .
Lies
Corruption
Political criminals
Ignorance

[cubscout09]

For those of you who miss the "Mavarick" drinking game, here's a new one.

http://www.google.com/search?q=clay+aiken+drinking+game&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Bottoms up!
(BTW- Speakers and members of the Secret Service detail don't count.)

[cubscout09]

Hint- If it has to be one beer, make sure that it is a microbrew.

[cubscout09]

Phil Archuleta spoke Tuesday Night, regarding We Built This.

"President Obama talks like he supports small businesses, but his actions are destroying us. His administration is putting us out of business. It is our turn to put them out of office!"

Perhaps he should have been vetted better.

"Small Businessman Who Hit Obama at GOP Convention Got $850,000 in Government Loans"

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/08/businessman-republican-convention-you-didnt-build-that-loan

[signseeker1717]

Yes, indeed, but it's typical of these types: Slam programs AFTER you've sucked out YOUR share. Disingenuousness, ingratitude and absolute, utter, flaming hypocrisy.

Reminds me of Ryan wanting to get rid of SS for OTHER people, when he used his FATHER's benefits to go to college.

[stupa5]

Watch for delgates wearing boots to keep from stepping in the cow fertilzer be spewed all over the convention floor!

[keote_poet]

very true...
also watch for missing donuuts..I can tell you who the prime suspect would be (christie cream)

Also watch for racist incidents that are coverups..