So far, the RNC has listed the schedule for the first two days of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. The speakers list offers an impressive slate of rising Republican stars, and an ideological mix of tea party conservatives and establishment moderates (thankfully, more of the former than the latter). Of note is the impressive diversity of the speakers and stars, a result of the notable changing-of-the-guard following the 2009 tea party revolution. Gone are the days when the Republican establishment hand-picked candidates from a long-standing list of approved and safe "good old boys," to borrow a phrase from Sarah Palin. Let's take a look at what Americans tuning in will have to look forward to.
Monday, Aug 27th
Ann Romney, "candidate" for First Lady is the opening night headliner and will close out the ceremonies on Monday night. Ann has been described as Mitt's "secret weapon" and this will be her first major introduction to the American people. Tea Party sensations Ted Cruz, a clear favorite to be the next US Senator from Texas, US Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley will also speak on opening night.Artur Davis recently joined the Republican Party after being an early supporter for Barack Obama and 2008 convention speaker. Davis highlights one of the many defections of moderate Democrats since the enactment of Obama's far-left policies. House Speaker John Boehner, Florida Governor Rick Scott, and the surprisingly-effective chairman of the RNC, Reince Priebus, are other high-profile speakers on opening night. Full Monday's speakers list is here.
Tuesday, Aug. 28th Speakers
Tuesday night is theme night at the RNC and the GOP will bring out the big guns in their "We Built It" campaign while continuing to hammer away at Obama's "you didn't build that" comments. It has been well over a month since Obama made those campaign-defining comments, and we predicted it will be a major theme throughout the campaign. So far it has led to very effective messaging for team Romney. Many of the night's speakers will be joined by small business-owners who might have a thing or two to add to the argument.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is the Keynote Speaker and the "feature event" for Tuesday night. Christie probably turns this into a must-watch night, and is abrasive, no-nonsense style has turned him into a popular figure both in his state and nationwide (though, perhaps, less so with the grassroots conservatives). Fellow Governors Bob McDonnell (VA), Susanna Martinez (NM), Scott Walker (WI), Bobby Jindal (LA), Mary Fallin (OK), and John Kasich (OH) will also speak along with US Senator Kelly Ayotte of NH and former presidential nomination rival Rick Santorum. Another highlight for conservatives will be the first national speaking engagement of Mia B. Love, a black Mormon mayor in Utah aiming to take out a "moderate" Democrat in a Republican state. Full Tuesday list is here.
Wednesday and Thursday
We don't know the exact list of the speakers for the final two nights, but we do know that soon-to-be VP nominee Paul Ryan will obviously headline on Wednesday night while Mitt Romney will headline on Thursday. We also know that Mitt Romney will be introduced by US Senator Marco Rubio, who was also widely considered a favorite for the VP nomination. Dr. Condoleezza Rice and John McCain will also speak at some point, as well as a number of other speakers that are yet to be announced.
So far, the list of speakers acknowledges and respects the strength of the tea party movement and the speakers list is dominated by tea party congressman, senators, and governors from the classes of 2009-2012. A few establishment Republicans are sprinkled in, but the reality is that the 2012 convention will offer American voters a solid look at the new Republican Party.
Comments
NO Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Gov. Perry, Herman Cain, Matt Kibbe, LtCol. West ?? Really ?
I thought you folks were smarter. John McCain ? we’re still suffering from his big gov’t nonsense. Hopefully, someone will give him a Barack Lifetime Achievement Award. Since he gave us the Dear Leader. Why not let Anvil Joe Biden give it to him ?
Anybody gonna speak on behalf of the military and Veterans. How about next VA Secretary laying out plans to fix the V.A. ??
Military funding cuts, deployment skeds? 2,000 deaths in Afghan, why we still there ??
Good Luck but don’t cry if Obama wipes the floors with ya again.
I read today that the alphabet channels covering the RNC Convention will NOT air Ann Romney’s opening address, however, they WILL air Michelle Obama’s opening address at the DNC convention. Why the snub and inequity towards Ann???????? CBS did the same thing to Mitt and Paul during their interview on 60 Minutes! They omitted the part when Paul said he would not want to take away his mom’s medicare. They conveniently edited this portion of the interview out! Why isn’t anyone making any noise about this? The main stream media is a joke! I’m sure we will get fair and balanced from FOX on cable!
How about Michele Bachmann Sarah Palin Jan Brewer Ann Colter Niki Haley You guys are not trying .I w I’ll remember this when I vote . Oh and. My husband ditto .
Where are the ladies Jan Brewer Michele Bachmann Sarah Plain Niki Haley Ann Coulter Michele Malkin . You cn do better I will remember this when I vote and my husband says ditto
About 10 days before the election, things will break decisively towards Romney and Ryan. He’ll win the popular vote by 5points and he’ll win 34 states.
The current polls reflect “registered voters”. Most are forgetting a thing called sentiment. I know a stadium full of folks drooling to vote for change. I don’t know anyone TRULY enthusiastic about the status quo.
The bandwagon is getting warmed up. The youth, blacks, jews, and progressives are ALL going to stay home. Put the champagne on ice…we’re gonna have a party!
As a Republican by circumstance, but a diehard Conservative by virtue, I also must appeal to cooler heads in the GOP to include such diverse speaker’s, such as Congressman Lt. Col West of Florida, who would do an excellent job in attracting and advocating for both Active duty Service Members and Veterans alike.
Also, Congressman Ron Paul, who has been shouting from the mountian tops about Government fiscal responsability, for years, and the negative consequences of failing to heed this most important advice, would give positive assurance to even the most diehard conservative to tune in.Congressman Issa would be a good bet also. May God please continue to bless this great country & favor positive voter turnout for possibly the most important election of our lifetime!
I agree with a whole lot of that. Axe John McCain for sure. Mr. West speaking should be a no brainer.
Susan asks, “Why the snub and inequity towards Ann?”
Because she’s not First Lady, that’s why.
Ah. And Michelle Obama wasn’t first lady 4 years ago… Doubt that would have been a snub…
Isn’t there anyone in the Republican party to speak on behalf of our active military, Wounded Warriors and veterans? Someone to urge them to support Romney in the elections?
Seems like they’ve been forgotten… How unfortunate; the military backs their President and it would be great to know that Romney will be active in supporting these brave men who give so much for their country.
The list of Speakers at the Convention doesn’t reflect some of the prominent or rising stars now in the Party. Why? Looking forward to hearing Rice, Rubio And Christie. At least these are names that are well recognized.