Paul Ryan in spotlight at RNC - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

WTHR political reporter Kevin Rader is covering the political conventions. This week he blogs from Tampa, Florida, where Republicans are gathering to nominate Mitt Romney for president and Paul Ryan for vice president.

Unfortunately a lot of times judgments are made on first impressions. That is why the Romney campaign deemed Ann Romney's speech so important. Many people don't want to take the time to get to know what a person believes or what they have accomplished in their lives. They might, however, invest a few minutes to see what kind of a vibe they get from potential candidate.

Wednesday night voters around the country will get to judge Rep. Paul Ryan for themselves.

Let's face it. Over the last few years, between the gaffes from Dan Quayle and Joe Biden, the office of vice president has taken a few hits, including invention claims from Al Gore and the hunting exploits of Dick Cheney.

This time America will hear from a man who sees himself as a policy wonk. A man who presented his own plan to balance the budget. Tonight he will get the chance the explain the Ryan Budget Plan - his plans for Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Americans everywhere will want to hear from him on those issues, especially in Florida and Ohio - two states that could very well decide this election.

So this speech will carry a little more weight than most we have heard in recent years. Paul Ryan will not pull a Spiro Agnew and chastise the competition. Many Americans will be listening for details they normally reserve for the candidate who is leading the ticket.

On the campaign trail it has not been lost of many Americans that Mitt Romney likes to defer to Ryan on questions about the budget. Tonight Americans will get the opportunity to hear and judge it for themselves.

I hope they do.