GOP 2012 convention speakers announced

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

Republicans rolled out a list of headline speakers Monday for their convention in Tampa, a roster covering important demographic and thematic bases, but one that will almost certainly be expanded with the addition of the silver and bronze medalists in the vice presidential selection process.

Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the party’s 2008 presidential nominee, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and the governors of two must-win states, Florida’s Rick Scott and John Kasich of Ohio, are among those who will address the Republican National Convention, which runs Aug. 27-30. Two female state chief executives, Gov. Nikki Haley (S.C.) and Gov. Susana Martinez (N.M.), will also have prominent speaking slots, according to the Tampa Bay Times, which first reported the list.

...snip...

Conspicuously missing from the speakers list are those thought to be Romney’s vice presidential finalists: Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), Rep. Paul Ryan (Wisc.), Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.), Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (Va.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. It’s difficult to imagine that some, if not all of them, will not eventually get their moment on the podium in Tampa.

Also absent, for the moment at least, are other marquee party names, such as 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.), Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), House Speaker John Boehner (Ohio), and a newly minted tea party favorite Senate candidate Ted Cruz (Tex.).

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-2012-convention-speakers-announced/2012/08/06/65b41d3c-dfba-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_story.html

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No Sarah Palin? check
No Donald Trump? check
No Ron Paul, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Herman Cain? check

The Tea Party's not going to be happy....

[Ikonoklast]

1. Wow, that is a huge FU to the crazies.

They'll be frothing at the mouth over this one.

[sarge43]

2. They're going to raise hell in the convention hall.

[Ikonoklast]

5. From your keyboard to Zeus' ears.

Here's hoping they wear their TeaBagger costumes and spout gibbering nonsense, and get hours and hours and hours of air time.


Crazy makes TV salivate.

[demwing]

3. Someone else not on that list - Kay Baily Hutchison

You would think that the very popular senior Senator from Texas, a woman in her last year in office, would be given a prominent speaking position at the last National convention of her career, right?

Hmmm...a Massachusetts Presidential candidate of controversial religious affiliation paired with a congress critter from Texas. Sound familiar?

I'm telling you guys, Romney released a fake VP shortlist. He'll surprise us all and ask Hutchison to be the VP.

[snooper2]

7. That was my guess many months back

The question is we know they would think about it and ask-

Would she accept?

[demwing]

35. She might -

she is retiring from the Senate, and often thought about a presidential run, but has spoken openly about how her window for the Presidency passed. She may see this as the next best thing, and really, can you see those wonks Pawlenty and Portman debating Biden? Or Jindal? lols

That short list was a fake. I'll bet a nickel.

[starroute]

20. They've got an age problem if they do

Hutchinson is already 69. Romney is 65. It's not an ironclad rule, but it's been pretty standard practice for older presidential candidates to have younger VP choices.

[demwing]

34. IMO, they have an age problem no matter who Romney picks

the only youths that will vote for Romney over Obama are the hardcore GOP youths, and they don't care who Romney picks. They only person who might pull some youths from Obama is Ron Paul. Ain't no way Paul gets on this ticket...

[Volaris]

47. Thanks, that answered my question from an earlier thread about Ron Paul as a VP pick...

[demwing]

36. On the other hand...

A Massachusetts Governor and a Texas Senator could be a little too much of a GOP Dukakis/Bentson...of course, ROM Mittney might end up getting compared to Dukakis without Texas helping

[Cosmocat]

38. It would be a solid pick

but, I think they have to go electoral - someone who has a chance to maybe help with Ohio or Virginia.

[demwing]

40. I'm thinking demographical

someone that can help in all the swing states

[Cosmocat]

42. Eh

as far as republicans go, Hutchinson is not putrid.

again, I think she would be a solid pick.

But, she isn't someone who moves the needle in the least with voters in this election.

[demwing]

43. She doesn't do it for us

but try to think like a Republican. Hutchison will help "bring in the female vote," and shore up support in every state.

[Cosmocat]

44. I am thinking like a republican

that is where I have been coming from all along.

R women are voting R regardless.

If Palin, a lot more dynamic (a moron or not) did not help McCain with women voters, Hutchinson is not going to help him at all.

He has his states in hand - Texas, the southern states, the middle states. He does not need to shore them up. He basically has no hope of winning without Ohio or Virginia.

I could be wrong, I am on occasion, but I think he makes a safe pick of someone who can maybe help him in those two states.

[demwing]

45. Hey I've got nothing to lose on this

It's such a long shot - no on expects me to be right, so being wrong isn't a fail.

On the other hand, on the chance that I'm right....

[Cosmocat]

46. lol

could be ...

[MsLeopard]

4. Where's Volermort??

You know, he whose name must not be spoken? The commander guy! 43!! The freaking decider??

[crimson77]

6. I think I know who the VP is going to be.......

Last edited Mon Aug 6, 2012, 04:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Chris Chistie. He is the most notable name to not be invited to speak, all the other's have reasons why they aren't. Then my orginal assumption is what I will revert to Marco Rubio.

[Drunken Irishman]

10. He's giving the Keynote Address, so, he's not the VP most likely.

[crimson77]

11. My bad

I thought things had changed and he was out.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Looks like the keynote was speculation...

But that this amplifies the speculation, according to the Star-Ledger, that he will be the keynote speaker.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/gov_chris_christie_not_among_p.html

[SoapBox]

8. Oh goody...Gov. Asshat Rick "Medicare FRAUD Conviction" Scott

...what an image.

Why doesn't the Limp Stream Media ever mention his slimey background?

[Drunken Irishman]

9. It's Dole's convention all over again!

OMG! We are reliving the 1996 election.

[titanicdave]

12. Another Crazy is missing......

according to "The Donald", I thought Trump said that the re-pugs wanted him to speak at the convention and discuss his crazy birther nonsense.....horrors, how could this happen to such an important figure in their (tea) party??

[freshwest]

25. If this place has skyboxes, I bet Donald, Grover the brothers Koch will be looking down on them.

Don't want to mingle with the rabble...

And welcome to DU.

[elleng]

13. Posted last night:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021079458

[Faygo Kid]

15. No Sarah, Rush, Sean or Glenn? Where's their nutjobs?

Who will be the first to accuse the president of being a Kenyan Muslim?

The only way Mitt wins this is through the wealth of Adelson and the Kochs, and the help of Scalia.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

33. They are hiding their nutjobs

[mac56]

16. If I felt brave I would go over to Freeperville

and gauge the reaction.

I don't feel that brave.

[sarge43]

18. Besides you'd hate yourself in the morning.

It'd be like going to the geek show at a third rate carnie.

[Jim Lane]

28. All right, you cowards, step aside.

Yes, I went there. I sometimes look in on FR for the entertainment value.

This time, I must say, they were far less entertaining than usual. I expected storms of outrage at the exclusion of their hero(in)es. Instead, there was only a little of that. There were some positive comments about Martinez being given a top slot.

The only really classic FR portion was the venting about one name on the speakers' list: John McCain. He apparently no longer gets any credit for bringing Palin to the national stage. They just completely despise him.

Best disgruntled-wingnut comment in the thread is from wolf24: "Pretty sad that a conservative would long for the days when a GOP convention would include a Dem senator like Zell Miller...."

[Bjorn Against]

30. I looked at a different thread than the one you did and they were pissed

I found this thread highly entertaining...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2915175/posts

[Jim Lane]

41. Ah, yes, that's more like what I expected from the FReakshow.

That explains why the thread I found was so tame -- most of the venting was going on elsewhere. I overlooked the one you found, so many thanks for the correction!

[Volaris]

48. does Neo-con mean something different over there than it does here?

cause THIS is like the third comment down...

"What a freakin’ neocon liberal socialist lineup"

Just wondering if the illiterates are fucking up their definitions again...

[Bjorn Against]

29. It is worth it to visit this one time

They are all pissed off and there is plenty of humor in their reaction.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2915175/posts

A few sample quotes...

"Wow! McLame and Huckster. These speakers should motivate the conservative base to go all out for Romney.
They don't call the GOP the stupid party for nothing."

"oh cant wait, the suspense is killing me. Can;t wait for him to pick some other boring no emotion RINO, pro homo, pro liberal socila issues guy for VP too."

"This Reince ‘and repeat’ Priebus is an absolute moron. McCain?Huckabee? No Sarah?? The RNCe is stuck on stupid!!"

One person held out some hope however...

"Additional convention speakers, including the keynote, will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
Saint Sarah still has a chance.... "

[LongTomH]

17. I understand Hannibal Lector cancelled out...

[Paladin]

19. Hey, Even Hannibal Has His Standards. (nt)

[Odious justice]

21. The tea party is going to vote "R" no matter what.

There's no need to appease them.

[Ter]

31. Kind of like us

In 2009, 2010, and 2011 there were more negative posts on Obama than positive ones, and now we're all behind him.

[underpants]

22. I can't wait to hear Huckabee selling chicken sandwiches from the podium

Let's see...Arkansas...Tyson foods.... chicken sandwiches....hmmmmm

[DainBramaged]

23. I swear to dogs I had the same thought

[underpants]

27. +

we are both DainBramaged in the same way

[Thor_MN]

24. Headline Speakers?

What, they gave them a set of corduroy pillow cases?

[FailureToCommunicate]

26. And definitely no Seamus attending?

Stay thirsty, my four legged friends!

[lutefisk]

32. Where the hell is Scott Walker's name? I'm pissed.

I want the rest of the country to see what an asshole we have as our ruler here in Wississippi.

[PopeOxycontinI]

37. What about their ideal candidate?

Will he show up?

[trof]

39. No Bush? No Cheney?

Gee, wonder why?