Local News

Full Lineup Of Expected RNC Speakers

ST. PAUL (WCCO) ― Officials with the Republican National Convention announced the full lineup of people expected to speak at the Xcel Energy Center, but as soon as it became clear that the convention would be deferring to Hurricane Gustav, names started to drop off the list.

Among the scheduled speakers who announced they were not going to be attending the convention were President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Among the Minnesota politicians expected to address delegates at the convention are Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Norm Coleman, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. Erik Paulsen, who is currently running to take the seat to be vacated by Jim Ramstad.

Both Pawlenty and Coleman are scheduled to speak twice during the convention, and if Pawlenty emerges as candidate John McCain's running mate, as some have speculated, he would also be scheduled to speak a third time.

Local groups will also serve as color guard on each night of the convention, beginning with Boy Scout Troop 738 of St. Louis Park on Monday night.

The RNC committee also announced that each evening during the convention will carry with it a selected theme. Below are listed the themes and scheduled speakers for the four nights of the RNC.

Monday, Sept. 1 -- SERVICE

Scheduled Speakers:

• President George W. Bush -- CANCELED
• Vice President Richard B. Cheney -- CANCELED
• First Lady Laura Bush
• Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
• Gov. Rick Perry (Texas)
• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) -- CANCELED
• Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
• U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.)
• U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
• U.S. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)
• U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah)
• U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
• U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)
• U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)
• U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.)
• U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (Va.)
• U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (Ill.)
• U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif)
• Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention
• Jo Ann Davidson, Chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention Committee on Arrangements
• Tommy Espinoza
• Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
• Bill Gross
• Ashley Gunn
• Chris Hackett
• Doug Leatherdale
• Jay Love
• Cynthia Lummis
• Erik Paulsen
• Capt. Leslie Smith, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Other Program Participants:

• Victoria Blackstone, Stars and Stripes Winner, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
• Boy Scout Troop 738 of St Louis Park, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard

Tuesday, Sept. 2 -- REFORM

Scheduled Speakers:

• Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
• Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
• Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
• Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
• Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
• Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)
• U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.)
• Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
• House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
• U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)
• U.S. Rep. Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)
• U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.)
• State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth (Calif.)
• Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
• Chris Collins
• Carolyn Dunn
• Phil Hayes
• Lisa Keegan
• Ruth Novodor
• Dr. Elena Rios
• Shirley Sadler
• Joe Watkins

Other Program Participants:

• Mary Leavitt will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
• The VFW of Red Lake, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard
• Rabbi Ira Flax will lead the convention in prayer
• Dr. Robert Certain will lead the convention in prayer

Wednesday, Sept. 3 -- PROSPERITY

Scheduled Speakers:

• Cindy McCain
• Republican Party's Vice Presidential Nominee
• Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
• Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
• U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
• U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas)
• U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)
• Mayor Mick Cornett (Okla.)
• State Sen. Abel Maldonado (Calif.)
• Carly Fiorina, Victory '08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
• Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
• Renee Amoore
• Anne Beiler
• Jessica Colon
• Christy Swanson
• Raul "Danny" Vargas

Other Program Participants:

• Sharon Clahchischillage will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
• The Law Enforcement Memorial Association of Minnesota will serve as the Color Guard
• Father Edward Reese will lead the convention in prayer
• Rev. Eva Rodriguez will lead the convention in prayer

Thursday, Sept. 4 -- PEACE

Scheduled Speakers:

• John McCain
• Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
• Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
• U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
• U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
• U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
• Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)
• U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (Okla.)
• Michael Williams, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission
• David Flaum
• Christopher Fussner
• Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
• Charlie Smith

Other Program Participants:

• The 934th Airlift Wing Air Force Reserves Joint Color Guard of Minn.
• Pastor Dan Yeary will lead the convention in prayer
• Archbishop Demetrios will lead the convention in prayer

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