TAMPA -- The Tampa Bay Times Forum has a new kind of scoreboard -- a "national debt clock" that is ticking up to $16 trillion.
MORE: Florida delegation's tentative schedule of events at the RNC
The
ever-ticking clock, hanging above the delegates to the Republican
convention, is designed to be "a compelling visual reinforcing the
desperate need for new fiscal leadership in the White House," says the
Republican National Committee.
Party chairman chairman Reince
Priebus will formally activate the clock -- starting at a figure above
$15.9 trillion -- when he convenes the proceedings at 2 p.m. today.
"This
clock reminds every delegate and every American why we are here in
Tampa - because America can and must do better," Priebus said. "Every
American's share of the national debt has increased by approximately
$16,000 during the current administration."
The
Republicans have only a brief pro forma session today; the threat from
Hurricane Isaac forced a postponement of real business until Tuesday.
GOP
presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan are
expected to make the record setting federal debt a major part of their
indictment against President Obama.
Obama says reducing the debt
requires a balanced plan of budget cuts and higher taxes on the nation's
wealthiest Americans. But the president says Republicans are blocking
his efforts because of objections to any kind of tax increase, even on
the nation's wealthiest people.
USA Today