Posted on 08/28/2012 12:44:47 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
TAMPA, Florida — As the Republican convention kicks off Tuesday in Tampa, one niggling question remains: who is the mystery speaker with a prime time slot just before Mitt Romney accepts the presidential nomination.
Aides to the Republican White House hopeful have taken far too much pleasure in teasing frustrated journalists and heightening the sense of intrigue. "Tune in!" campaign strategist Russ Schriefer challenged in his latest update.
The schedule released by the Republican National Convention lists a "To Be Announced" speaker on Thursday night just before the keynote introduction by Hispanic rising star Marco Rubio and Romney's all-important acceptance speech.
With most party heavyweights already securing spots during three nights of heady political theater 10 weeks out from the November election, speculation was rife that the mystery person could be a notable absentee.
Former presidents George and George W. Bush have both said they won't be attending, although a video from the pair is set to play on Wednesday's program.
This would be the first convention by either party since Jimmy Carter didn't show up in 1996 -- apparently his invitation was late and he declined -- that wasn't attended by a current or former president. Former vice president Dick Cheney has also said he will not be in Tampa, but the architect of the Iraq war and the "war on terror" is hardly flavor of the month in the current Republican Party.
Perhaps the biggest Republican celebrity not due to attend is former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who lit up the 2008 convention as John McCain's surprise running mate with her talk of hockey moms and lipstick.
A surprise 2012 convention appearance by the Tea Party favorite would certainly be a show-stopper, but pundits considered it highly unlikely as it would risk overshadowing Romney's big moment.
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Jan Brewer?
Chocolate milk ... all over the monitor.
YES!!!!!
That would be a great choice.....a very courageous lady. Stared down The Kenyan.
No, that’s GE CEO Jeff Immelt
not GM CEO Dan Akerson
Rand Paul?
What a fiasco this convention has turned out to be.
The rules change was a direct insult aimed at people like me. Not only was the change itself intended to keep people like me out, the way it was handled was an in your face exercise in raw power.
I was ready to vote AGAINST Obama, which meant voting FOR Romney. As of right now I’m not sure I could force myself to do it. Romney is quite simply awful.
I also thought the mystery speaker might even be Sarah Palin. Not now. She has been quite vocal about this travesty, which rules her out.
With what I’m seeing from the Romney campaign and the RNC I wouldn’t be surprised if it were Lady Gaga. I can’t believe this rule change crap. The RNC can’t handle prosperity. Romney should win, any Republican should be able to beat the commie buffoon. They are taking this opportunity to take Conservatives out of the running in the future, they may be lating groundwork for a Conservative party, how about Return our American Republic, or “ROAR”
Melissa Gay, or her father, Robert
Laura Bush
That’s my dream.....
My two cents.... I hope it’s Dick “Big Time” Cheney. Also acceptable. Allen West, Oliver North, Herman Cain, Sarah Palin. That’s my top 5 in no particular order.
Calvin Coolidge.
maybe he is lying (sarc)
Either that or Adam Lambert.
RE: Either that or Adam Lambert.
For what reason? In order to placate the Log Cabin Republicans?
My mistake. Sorry.
No problem, I’m a GM retiree and following this closely.
Akerson donated to McLame in 08 but also to Debbie Stablecow more recently..
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