Fifteen thousand credentialed media at the 2012 Republican National Convention and it's doubtful even one of them expected to see Thursday night's main attraction stroll out onto the forum stage before dark. Yet, there he was at 4:15 p.m., Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, with running mate Paul Ryan at his side.

"Mitt was saying thank you to his staff," Mitsy Reynor, an aide who worked on his campaign in the Midwest, told Sunshine State News. "He had us all gather around him for a photo shoot. I can tell you it was a magic moment, sharing a thrilling dawn like this with the next president of the United States."

Romney, Ryan and staff were on stage for three minutes, not a second longer.

Said Reynor, "Boy, is he right for us ... Mitt just radiates confidence, doesn't he?"

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews or at (850) 727-0859.