The Republican National Convention kicked into high gear with an appearance by Ann Romney that has some asking if she was taking a subtle swipe at Michelle Obama. INSIDE EDITION reports from Tampa.
Was Ann Romney taking a swipe at Michelle Obama when she wore her now-famous red dress?
The dress Ann Romney wore onstage at the Republican Convention was designed by Oscar de la Renta, who has been critical of the first lady, saying she wears too many European designers.
De la Renta designed Laura Bush's inaugural gown in 2005 and Hillary Clinton's inaugural gown in 1997. But Michelle Obama has never worn one of his dresses.
Now, New York Magazine is asking: "Did Ann Romney's Dress Have An Anti-Obama Subtext?"
The red dress that all the fuss is about is part of Oscar de la Renta's pre-fall collection, described as cardinal red silk and sells for just under $2,000. Sales people say they've been deluged by calls about the dress since Ann Romney wore it.
Ann Romney was basking in the glow of her big speech when she appeared at a luncheon in Tampa today.
Reviews of the speech are still pouring in.
"Passionate" and "poetic" says the Los Angeles Times.
"Ann steals the show" says the Huffington Post.
And this from The New York Times: "Ann Romney is so gifted at politics, she may actually make her husband look a little bad."
The five Romney boys were on hand as their mother spoke about her marriage of 43 years.
In her speech, Ann said, "Mitt and I have a storybook marriage. Well, let me tell you something. In the story books I read, there never were long, long rainy winter afternoons in a house with five boys screaming at once. And those story books never seemed have chapters called M.S. or breast cancer."
Ann's speech, carried live on all three broadcast networks and cable news, was clearly aimed at the nation's women.
Once she came to the end, Mitt Romney stepped out onstage and the couple embraced. He mouthed the word "fabulous" while the delegates went wild.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani raved about the speech to INSIDE EDITION's Lisa Guerrero.
Giuliani told Guerrero, "Mrs. Romney was just terrific in the way she described her love for her husband and described some of his qualities that maybe sometimes some people don't understand."
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and his wife were also beaming. Guerrero asked Cantor, "Do you think she connected with the women at home?"
"Well, I can tell you, this is my wife Diana and I know she connected with Diana."
Diana said, "She did. It was fantastic. What a fabulous night."
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was pumping his fist as he took the stage after Ann Romney, is getting mixed reviews for his keynote address.
It was 17 minutes into the speech before Christie mentioned Mitt Romney's name, while he said "I" or "Me" 38 times.
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow blasted Christie's speech.
"This speech not only, I think, was a bad speech, I think that this was one of the most remarkable acts of political selfishness I have ever seen on a stage this big," said Maddow.
But don't expect the outspoken New Jersey governor to give in.
