There are two ways to judge the success of a political convention.

The first is how effectively the event speakers can motivate and mobilize the party faithful as they prepare for the final push toward election day. The second is how well the party can engage and win over key moderate voters who might be watching the event on TV at home.

In an exceptionally close Presidential race like this one, the second of the two measurements may be the most important. But it is the most difficult to assess, particularly when sitting in the seats of the convention arena as your USDemocrazy correspondent has been this week.

There is no doubt the Republican delegates are very fired up  this year. Their disdain of everything Obama have given them a enormous sense of purpose. Here at the GOP convention there is distinct feeling destiny is on their side.

There was no better sign of this than during the rousing speech given last night by the new darling of the party, Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Though many commentators have taken issue with the content of speech citing inaccuracies and distortions, his words may not be the key element here.

The optics of the Paul Ryan speech were made in Republican political heaven. In his first major address to a nationwide audience, Ryan looked every bit the person he is… youthful, capable, like-able and sincere. Though his personal politics echo the more extreme Tea party elements of the party, he didn’t come across as a fringe political loony. He embodies the sensible face of conservatism.

The delegates responded to him in gusto. He is the new political rock star… with an adoring fan base. In this correspondent’s opinion, he is undoubtedly a future Presidential candidate of the Republican party.

Of course, that is how it felt amongst the cacophony of the Tampa convention center.

How it felt to the moderate voters watching home on TV will be more difficult to assess.