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Mitt Romney becomes Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney becomes Republican presidential nominee
(35 minutes later)
Mitt Romney has been officially selected as the Republican presidential nominee at the party's national convention in Tampa, Florida.Mitt Romney has been officially selected as the Republican presidential nominee at the party's national convention in Tampa, Florida.
Delegates from all US states and territories convened to pledge their votes to the former governor of Massachusetts.Delegates from all US states and territories convened to pledge their votes to the former governor of Massachusetts.
He will challenge Barack Obama in November's presidential election.He will challenge Barack Obama in November's presidential election.
Recent opinion polls show Mr Romney and the Democratic president locked in a tight race.Recent opinion polls show Mr Romney and the Democratic president locked in a tight race.
Mr Romney needed to attract at least 1,144 delegates' votes to secure his party's nomination, and the votes from the New Jersey delegation put him "over the top".Mr Romney needed to attract at least 1,144 delegates' votes to secure his party's nomination, and the votes from the New Jersey delegation put him "over the top".
'Going to be fun' Minutes later, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan was formally selected as the Republican vice-presidential candidate.
He was chosen in a lively voice vote during which state delegates called out their team's allocation of votes. Ann Romney's moment
Mr Romney was chosen in a lively voice poll during which state delegates called out their team's allocation of votes.
Altogether, Mr Romney secured 2,061 votes, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner announced to the floor of the convention.Altogether, Mr Romney secured 2,061 votes, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner announced to the floor of the convention.
Mr Romney was not present at the convention, but reportedly watched the vote count with his wife from a nearby hotel.Mr Romney was not present at the convention, but reportedly watched the vote count with his wife from a nearby hotel.
He had amassed enough delegates to secure the nomination in May, after a gruelling season of state-by-state primary elections.He had amassed enough delegates to secure the nomination in May, after a gruelling season of state-by-state primary elections.
But his selection in Tampa put the party's formal stamp of approval on his campaign.But his selection in Tampa put the party's formal stamp of approval on his campaign.
On Tuesday evening, Mr Romney's wife, Ann, as well as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are due to deliver speeches.On Tuesday evening, Mr Romney's wife, Ann, as well as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are due to deliver speeches.
Mrs Romney's speech is expected to shed light on what her husband is like in private since Mr Romney, formerly a business star and governor of Massachusetts, is seen as something of an unknown quantity by many voters.Mrs Romney's speech is expected to shed light on what her husband is like in private since Mr Romney, formerly a business star and governor of Massachusetts, is seen as something of an unknown quantity by many voters.
She told reporters her husband would attend her speech, adding: "It's going to be fun for him to be there." She is due to address her 43-year marriage and the way her husband helped her deal with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer.
Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan is also scheduled to speak on Wednesday evening, while Mr Romney's speech is due on Thursday. In excerpts of her prepared remarks, Mrs Romney says: "This is the man America needs. This man will not let us down," the AFP news agency reported.
Vice-presidential candidate Ryan is scheduled to speak on Wednesday evening, while Mr Romney's speech is due on Thursday.
Abortion and Wall Street
The convention also approved its party platform - a policy agenda that calls for tax cuts to revive the economy, repealing and replacing a healthcare law passed by Mr Obama, and an end to abortion.
The platform also calls for the overturning of measures passed to regulate Wall Street in the wake of the 2008 economic collapse.
On abortion, the platform says: "The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed."
That is more conservative than Mr Romney's declared view - he says he opposes abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's health is in danger.
This is Mr Romney's second run for the White House, after an unsuccessful bid in 2008.
President Obama's renomination will be confirmed next week at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This year's convention got off to a late start when Monday's programme was postponed amid concerns that Hurricane Isaac might disrupt the proceedings in Tampa.This year's convention got off to a late start when Monday's programme was postponed amid concerns that Hurricane Isaac might disrupt the proceedings in Tampa.
The storm has strengthened into a category one hurricane, and appears set to affect a stretch of coast several hundred miles wide between Louisiana and Florida.The storm has strengthened into a category one hurricane, and appears set to affect a stretch of coast several hundred miles wide between Louisiana and Florida.
It comes almost seven years to the day since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.It comes almost seven years to the day since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.