Santorum to Speak at Republican Convention

By Newsroom America Staff at 7 Aug 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Former U.S. senator Rick Santorum will speak at the Republican National Convention in Tampa later this month, where one-time presidential rival Mitt Romney is slated to receive his party's nomination.

Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, was Romney's most bitter rival during the bruising nomination process that began earlier this year, but he agreed to support the former Massachusetts governor after he suspended his campaign April 10.

Santorum's socially conservative message helped him win the Iowa primary and for a time had him atop many polls for the GOP nomination. Several other Republican candidates also topped polls for a time before Romney gained momentum and pulled away from the pack.

Officials familiar with the convention speaking schedule also said U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky will speak as well. Paul is the son of Libertarian-leaning U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who ran against Romney for the nomination and still has not officially suspended his campaign. The younger Paul spent time campaigning for his father.

Though criticized by some, the decision by the Romney campaign to ask a former rival and son of a rival to speak is a great tactical move, analysts have said, because it shows a willingness by the campaign to give all factions of the party a voice on the national stage.

Others say it shows that Romney is trying to unify the party after a tough nomination battle.

Speculation continues to run rampant over whom Romney will select as his running mate. Observers note that field is being winnowed as names are dropped for speaking slots at the convention.

In addition to Santorum and Paul, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak at the convention, along with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin.

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