Republican Party

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Mitt Romney said that the return of U.S. troops from abroad should not be an excuse to “hollow out our military.” The GOP presidential nominee spoke Tuesday at the National Guard Association Convention. (Associated Press)

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The Republican Party has a strong bench in Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and other younger members who may make future national tickets. The South missed out in 2012 for a second straight presidential election. (Associated Press)

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GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigns on Monday in Mansfield, Ohio. (Associated Press)

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GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney stands atop a makeshift stage Monday as he addresses an overflow crowd at PR Machine Works in Mansfield, Ohio. (Associated Press)

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With the GOP platform calling for an end to government subsidies for Amtrak, Vice President Joseph R. Biden says, “I’m the biggest railroad guy you’ve ever known,” adding that he has ridden the train between Washington and his Wilmington, Del., home more than 7,900 times. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP nominee for vice president, on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (Associated Press)

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Republican presidential nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addresses the audience at a rally with the GOP team at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Va., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich-Joseph Facun)

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Mitt Romney is seen on the JumboTron screen as he accepts the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States at the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. on Thursday, August 30, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/ The Washington Times)

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Republicans celebrate after Mitt Romney accepts the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States at the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. on Thursday, August 30, 2012. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./ The Washington Times)

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Republicans celebrate after Mitt Romney accepts the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States at the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. on Thursday, August 30, 2012.(Andrew Harnik/ The Washington Times)