WASHINGTON // The Republican national convention came to a close with a salute of Mitt Romney and a show of unity among the party faithful lacking earlier in the campaign.
It may provide only a temporary bump in the polls for the party's presidential candidate before the spotlight falls on the Democratic convention next week when the US President Barack Obama takes centre stage.
But Mr Romney has now had his moment in the spotlight - the only chance before election day in November to appear before the public and speak, uninterrupted, for more than 30 minutes. And he did his best to claw back some of the deficit in the polls between himself and Mr Obama.
His was a personal speech. He talked about his parents, their love for each other, his love for his family and his need to "strike out" on his own or forever remain in the shadow of his father - a former governor of Michigan who also entertained presidential ambitions.
He eschewed some of the harsh criticisms of the US president that has characterised earlier pronouncements and those of his colleagues.
Instead, his speech was a more statesmanlike attempt at sounding above the fray.
"I wish President Obama had succeeded," he said, "because I want America to succeed."
Nevertheless, he told a boisterous crowd in Florida, that Mr Obama had ultimately failed the core principles of the US by undermining the optimism that lies at the heart of the "American experience".
It's time, Mr Romney said, to "turn the page".
A Romney administration, he further pledged, would create 12 million jobs, lower taxes, improve schools, lower the budget deficit and improve relations with US allies such as Israel, who had been thrown "under the bus" by the current administration.
Absent were specifics on how exactly to lower taxes, maintain defence spending and balance the budget at the same time.
Shorn of the need to pander to his party's social conservatives and mindful instead of having to appeal to undecided voters, there was also no mention of abortion, only of the "sanctity of life", or illegal immigration.
There was plenty of mention of success, however: his own and America's. The dominant theme of the Republican convention has been an attempt to present Mr Romney's private-sector prowess as his most relevant qualification for the presidency.
It remains to be seen whether the general public will buy that argument or whether the White House version of Mr Romney as an out-of-touch, over-privileged "vulture" capitalist will prevail instead.
Either way, Mr Romney does seem to have gathered the Republican Party behind him during a convention pressed with urgency after Hurricane Isaac shortened proceedings by a day.
He has appeased a sceptical right-wing with his choice as running mate of Paul Ryan, the fiscal conservative Wisconsin congressman.
Now he has to avoid the pitfalls - alienating crucial voting blocs such as women and minorities could undermine his prospects.
He has to hope colleagues avoid doing the same. The "legitimate rape" comment from Todd Akin, a Republican congressman, before the convention set Mr Romney's campaign back weeks.
On Wednesday, his campaign staffers were quick to denounce two white people at the convention who were ejected after throwing peanuts at a black camera woman from CNN while saying: "This is what we feed animals."
The incident fits an image with which the Republican Party is viewed in some quarters, as the party for "angry white" people that ignores the needs of minorities.
Having lambasted Mr Obama for being divisive, Mr Romney must also convince that he is a unifier.
okarmi@thenational.ae
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Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
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THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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