Gov. Rick Scott will have a speaking role at the Republican National Convention later this month, the GOP confirmed after releasing a list of some of the speakers for the event.
Scott has been mostly on the periphery of national GOP politics, and there have been questions about what role he would play in the RNC gathering in Tampa. He’s not as strong a public speaker as a number of other GOP leaders, and his message – that the economy, at least here, is looking up and jobs are being created – is at odds with the national message of the party and its presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who are trying to make the case that the jobs picture is dismal.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the RNC is set to announce several speakers for the Aug. 27-30 convention, where Romney will be officially tapped as the party’s nominee.
A few other GOP governors will also speak, notably South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, both minorities – Haley is of Indian descent and Martinez is Hispanic – as the Republicans try to reach out to minority voters.
The party’s last presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona is also set to appear, as are former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice; and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the Times reported.
Still to be named is a keynote speaker. Pundits have floated several likely candidates for that coveted post, most prominently New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan has also been mentioned as someone likely to have a major role.
Rubio has also been frequently mentioned as a possible running mate pick for Romney.
The first speakers on the schedule were first reported by The Tampa Bay Times late Sunday and were confirmed to The Associated Press by Republican officials. Convention officials have not yet released the schedule officially.
The outline doesn’t include any mention of when Scott will get to speak, including whether it will be in one of the coveted prime time slots.
By David Royse
