Two displays related to the national debt were shown during the 2012 Republican National Convention . One of the displays showed a ticking number similar to the original clock . The second display showed a number estimating the amount the national debt had increased since the start of the convention . According to the Republican Party , the purpose of the RNC 's clock was to underscore the fact that national debt had grown at a fast pace under the presidency of Barack Obama , who was then running for reelection . RNC chair Reince Priebus stated that the clock represented the " unprecedented fiscal recklessness of the Obama administration . " The clock is featured in the 2006 documentary '' Maxed Out '' , which is about national debt '' . '' Several members of the Durst family appear in the film
2012 Republican National Convention
2012 Republican National Convention
National Debt Clock