First full day of GOP convention begins

Delegates from Texas listen to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 28, 2012 during the Republican National Convention. The 2012 Republican National Convention is expected to host 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories. AFP PHOTO Robyn BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages

The first full day of the Republican National Convention is underway in earnest.

Following an invocation, the singing of the national anthem and some procedural business, GOP Chairman Reince Priebus opened the convention with remarks referencing the massive debt clocks displayed in the convention center.

Dozens more speakers are set to take the podium before this afternoon’s roll call to formally nominate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), according to the convention’s revised schedule.

Notable prime-time speakers include House Speaker John Boehner, former presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — all leading up to Ann Romney’s address just after 10 p.m. local time.

Mitt Romney is set to make a surprise appearance during his wife’s speech, she confirmed to reporters Tuesday morning as the couple flew from Boston to Tampa, the Associated Press is reporting.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s keynote address concludes the day’s events. Christie praised Romney’s character speaking to Michigan delegates Tuesday morning, declaring Romney has the “heart” to take on the challenge of the presidency, CBS news reports.