Speaking At The Convention

As I posted at True North, the RNC has released their line up of speakers for the convention. Here are my thoughts on each day's line up.

Day One

• U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
• Vice President Richard B. Cheney
• First Lady Laura Bush
• President George W. Bush

Nice way to start the convention. You knew that you were not going to keep a sitting President and Vice President away from the convention, so it is best to start with them and get it done and over with. The fact that Senator Lieberman is speaking early gives Sen. McCain the bi-partisan feel that he wants, while taking the bases concerns in mind.

Day 2

• Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
• Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
• Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
• Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
• Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
• Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
• Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
• Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)

Killer Day two. Lots of heavy hitters and favorites of the conservative base (Thompson, Palin) mixed with a couple of new faces for the future (Huntsman, Lingle, Steele) and a lot of serious policy gravitas. The addition of Governor Huntsman was a pleasant surprise - especially in the company he is in. I have been a raving Michael Steele fan for the last 4 years so I am excited to see him get this opportunity. He is a true rising star in the party.

Day 3

• U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
• Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
• Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
• Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
• Mrs. Cindy McCain
• Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
• Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee

Mitt Romney speaking on Wednesday night (ahead of the VP nominee slot) pretty much assures us that he is most likely not the VP. Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina are great choices (IMHO) and Bobby Jindal is another rising star that should go far in coming years.

Day 4

• Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
• Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
• U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
• U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
• John McCain

While on one hand, I am happy to see Governor Pawlenty land this prime speaking slot (let's face it more people will turn in on the final night in order to see the Presidential nominee) I suspect that this pretty much means that he is out of the Veep-stakes as well. This night is the night for the longstanding McCain supporters to get their "reward" for their loyalty.

All in all it's not a bad line up. A nice mix of views and ideas. I am happy to see Minnesota get two prime speaking spots (after all we are the "host" state). It also shows the seriousness of the McCain campaign toward the issues we are facing going forward. Who knows better what the consequences ofthe fight against terrorism than Rudy Giuliani? Who knows more about the effect of out of control spending and high gas prices on the economy than a couple of business owners? Who knows more about how harmful out of control federal regulation can be than a bevy of governors who have to implement things like No Child Left Behind?

Contrast that to the Democrat speakers line up which contains several of Obama's Chicago cronies including Mayor Richard M (Richie) Daley (what no Tony Rezko?), a union organizer and John Kerry.

The next two weeks should be very enlightening indeed.