Republican National Convention Speakers Are Not Fresh Faces

Associated Press
Elspeth Reeve 1,660 Views Aug 6, 2012

The Republican National Committee announced the headlining speakers for the party's convention in Tampa Monday, and the list does not reflect what's happened in the Republican Party over the last two years. There is no Rand or Ron Paul, but there is John McCain. There is no Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor who survived a recall over a law to curb union power, but there is Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whose similar union law was defeated by voters in a ballot referendum. While the keynote speaker hasn't been named -- and none of Mitt Romney's top vice-presidential picks are listed -- the RNC list seems awfully Tea Party-free.

Besides Kasich and McCain, the other speakers are: Condoleezza Rice, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Most have committed some kind of crime against the Republican base. Rice is pro-choice, Huckabee was more moderate on health care and supported Michelle Obama's anti-obesity efforts, Martinez is more moderate on immigration. Haley and Scott, while both elected in 2010, are unpopular in their states. "Based on the RNC's list of speakers -- it appears the convention will coincide with the migration of RINOs to Tampa," Fox News' Todd Starnes tweets. "Well the announcement of McCain is an insult to the base," tweets Sister Honey. Sarah Palin is still waiting for her invite.

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