Summers surprises wife with praise on national stage

Congressional candidate Charlie Summers speaks at the Republican National Convention: Getty Images PhotoThe Summers' family: Charlie Summers with his wife, Ruth, and his kids, Tricia and Chas. Campaign photo.UPDATED 8:40 ET/7:40 CT with a quote from Ruth Summers

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Charlie Summers did not tell his wife, Ruth, what he would be talking about in his brief remarks to the Republican National Convention tonight.

In the service: Charlie Summers while he was serving in Iraq. Campaign photo.Much of it was about her.

In his speech, Summers said that he decided to run for Congress and then was deployed to Iraq for the U.S. Navy Reserve. The crowd cheered.

Then, he said, he almost had to suspend his campaign until Ruth, also a Naval officer, offered to campaign for him until he returned three weeks before the primary. Click here for his full remarks.

“Without her I would not be speaking to you tonight,” Summers said. “Ruth is a perfect example of a strong, capable, compassionate Republican woman leading our party. And she also reflects the values of service we both learned as children of service veterans.”

After the speech he called her. She was excited, he said. “I’m really touched that he continues to acknowledge not only me but the group that worked so hard for him while he was gone,” said Ruth Summers in a brief phone interview. She is home in Maine. “It really speaks to his character.”

She said getting the speech together was a group effort, as it had to be approved beforehand.

After his speech, Summers said this was the biggest crowd he’s ever spoken to, and he’s never used a teleprompter until now.

He found out about the speaking role Wednesday afternoon, and was one of five Congressional candidates given the opportunity. “It’s because they’re watching my race,” Summers said.

Maine delegates congratulated Summers after the speech.

“This was a great opportunity for him to take the national stage,” said Josh Tardy, Maine House Republican leader and chair of Maine’s RNC delegation. “Charlie Summers has a great story to tell, and he has a lot in common with John McCain.

State Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) said that she once gave Summers the following advice: be firm, speak loud, and take a commanding stance. “He’s come a long way,” Snowe-Mello said.