As the Republican Convention closes, it’s time to gear up because the general election has now begun. Mitt Romney did a great job rallying the troops. His speech not only followed up a great biography started by his lovely wife, Ann, on Tuesday night, he went to work, taking apart President Obama. And he started it off with this, “You know there’s something wrong with the kind of job he’s done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.”

He hit Obama on his lack of understanding of business, his apology tour, his soaring rhetoric, and his broken promises. He then talked about something that many hoped he would start talking about: his record at Bain Capital. He talked about the successes, the failures, and how hard it was in the beginning. He talks about the genuine success story that resulted, all the jobs, all the thriving businesses, and yes, even a line about Episcopal priests. Gov. Romney delivered a sterling defense of free enterprise and free markets.

Romney then went to work outlining the 5 points in his plan: 1) Energy Independence: By 2020, North America will be energy independent by taking full advantage of our oil and coal and gas and nuclear and renewables. 2) Education Reform / School Choice: We will give our fellow citizens the skills they need for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow. When it comes to the school your child will attend, every parent should have a choice, and every child should have a chance. 3) Free/Fair Trade: We will make trade work for America by forging new trade agreements. And when nations cheat in trade, there will be unmistakable consequences. 4) Deficit/Budget Reform: Assurance to every entrepreneur and every job creator that their investments in America will not vanish as have those in Greece, we will cut the deficit and put America on track to a balanced budget and 5) Regulation Reform/Abolish Obamacare: Championing SMALL businesses, America’s engine of job growth. Reducing taxes, simplification of regulations that hurt small business the most, and repealing and replacing Obamacare.

Social issues got a mention as well, for Romney said, “I will protect the sanctity of life. I will honor the institution of marriage. And I will guarantee America’s first liberty: the freedom of religion.” He took Obama to task for throwing Israel under the bus, relaxing sanctions on Cuba, undercutting our allies in Poland and the Czech Republic, and even his calls for more flexibility with the Russians.

It was a fine speech: it wasn’t angry, it wasn’t harsh, but it got across to the American people the extent of Obama’s epic fail. He laid out the vision that he and Paul Ryan will fight for.  So now, conservatives, let us, while the liberals are sobbing hysterically into their booze, march onto victory on November 6th. Let us put an end to the error of 2008.