Speakers Announced for RNC Convention

By Newsroom America Staff at 6 Aug 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Republican National Convention officials on Monday released a list of those who will speak first at the party's nominating confab in Tampa, Fla., later this month, which includes a pair of female governors - a first for their respective states - and a trio of former GOP presidential nominees.

Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico - both female firsts - are among a divergent list of Republican faces that includes a mix of fiscal and social conservatives scheduled to speak ahead of Mitt Romney, before he formally accepts his party's nomination. Martinez has the additional distinction of being the nation's first Hispanic governor.

Who will give the keynote speech - a prime slot capable of projecting a rising party star to national prominence - has not yet been announced, The Associated Press reported. The convention opens Aug. 27.

Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, the first black female to hold that office, is also scheduled to speak, as is Sen. John McCain, the party's 2008 presidential nominee and onetime rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In addition, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who briefly pursued the GOP nomination in 2000, is scheduled to speak at the convention, as is Florida Gov. Rick Scott, both Tea Party favorites who are likely to address fiscal issues.

"They are some of our party's brightest stars, who have governed and led effectively and admirably in their respective roles," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in prepared remarks. "These speakers - and those that will be announced later - will help make it a truly memorable and momentous event."

GOP officials are holding off naming the rest of the convention's speakers, most likely because some of the party's other rising stars are still on Romney's shortening list of potential running mates.

Some of the names noticeably absent from the GOP speakers list so far include New Jersey Gov. Chris Christy, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio.

Democrats have also announced convention speakers for their event, which begins Sept. 6. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro marks another first for Hispanics, as he has been tapped to give the convention's prime-time, opening night address.

Other speakers include former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senate candidate from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, who caused controversy early on in her candidacy by claiming questionable Native American heritage.

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