Republicans Keep Headliners, Make Program Three Days
TAMPA, Fla. — Republican officials have condensed their national convention to three days by moving almost all of their Monday speakers and activities until later in the week.
“We’ve taken most of the Monday speakers and put them into the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday schedule,” top Romney strategist Russ Schriefer told reporters on a Sunday conference call.
Scheduled Monday speakers including Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have been moved to speaking slots throughout the week. Schriefer said they condensed the schedule by shortening speeches and moving the program start to 7 p.m. each night.
As dark clouds and gusty winds swirled over Cigar City, Republicans scrambled to adapt the nominating convention to a three-day schedule. Weather forecasters expect a strong tropical storm — likely a low-level hurricane — to hit Florida’s west coast on Monday.
Schriefer emphasized no speaker line-ups were changed in the 10 p.m. hour, which is traditionally carried live by the major television networks. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus will briefly open the convention at 2 p.m. on Monday — a procedural move that will last five minutes.
Additionally, Schriefer waved off earlier reports that officials are considering extending the convention until Friday. But, he cautioned, convention organizers will reconsider the schedule as weather progresses.
Here’s the full three-day schedule, per an RNC press release:
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
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Welcoming remarks, and House and Senate candidates and RNC auxiliaries
RNC Chairman Priebus
RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris
Chairman of Tampa Bay Host Committee Al Austin
Republican Congressional Candidates
State Delegate Barbara Comstock (VA)
Representative Tim Griffin (AR)
Republican Senate Candidates
Republican National Committee auxiliaries
Consideration of convention committee reports
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
Committee on Credentials Chairman Mike Duncan
Committee on Permanent Organization
Chairwoman Zoraida Fonalledas
Convention Permanent Chairman, Speaker John Boehner, Presiding
Official Convention Photograph
Committee on Rules Chairman, John Sununu
Committee on Resolutions Chairman, Governor Bob McDonnell
Committee on Resolutions Co-Chairman, U.S. Senator John Hoeven
Committee on Resolutions Co-Chairman, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn
Roll Call for Nomination of President of the United States
Roll Call for Nomination of Vice President of the United States
6:40 p.m. Recess
7:00 p.m. Reconvene
Remarks by Speaker John Boehner
Remarks by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
Video and remarks by Mayor Mia Love (Saratoga Springs, UT), U.S. congressional candidate
Remarks by Janine Turner
Remarks by former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Remarks by Host, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
8:00 p.m. Remarks by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH), accompanied by Jack Gilchrist
Remarks by Governor John Kasich (OH)
Remarks by Governor Mary Fallin (OK)
Remarks by Governor Bob McDonnell (VA), accompanied by Bev Gray
Remarks by Governor Scott Walker (WI)
9:00 p.m.
Remarks by Governor Brian Sandoval (NV)
Remarks by Sher Valenzuela (small business owner, candidate for DE Lt. Governor)
Remarks by Senate Republican Candidate Ted Cruz (TX)
Remarks by Artur Davis
Remarks by Governor Nikki Haley (SC)
10:00 p.m.
Remarks by Mrs. Luce’ Vela Fortuno
Remarks by Mrs. Ann Romney
Remarks by Governor Chris Christie (NJ)
Benediction by Sammy Rodriguez
Adjournment
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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7:00 p.m.
Convention convenes; Call to order
Introduction of Colors by Amputee
Veterans of America Support Team (AVAST)
Pledge of Allegiance by Brigadier
General Patrick E. Rea, US Army (Ret.)
National Anthem sung by Ayla Brown
Invocation by Ishwar Singh
Ron Paul Video
Remarks by Senate Republican Leader and Convention Temporary Chairman Mitch McConnell (KY)
Remarks by Senator Rand Paul (KY)
Remarks by Christopher Devlin-Young and Jeanine McDonnell
8:00 p.m.
Remarks by Senator John McCain (AZ)
Remarks by Attorney General Pam Bondi (FL) and Attorney General Sam Olens (GA)
Remarks by Governor Bobby Jindal (LA)
Remarks by Senator John Thune (SD)
Remarks by Senator Rob Portman (OH)
9:00 p.m.
Remarks by Governor Luis Fortuno (PR)
Remarks by Governor Tim Pawlenty (MN)
Bush 41, 43 Film
Remarks by Mike Huckabee
10:00 p.m.
Remarks by Condoleezza Rice
Remarks by Governor Susana Martinez (NM)
Remarks by vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan
Benediction by Archbishop Demetrios
Adjournment
Thursday, August 30, 2012
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7:00 p.m.
Convention convenes; Call to order
Introduction of Colors US Central
Command Joint Forces Color Guard Team
Pledge of Allegiance by Dylan Nonaka
National Anthem sung by SEVEN
Invocation by Ken and Priscilla Hutchins
Remarks by U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (FL)
Reagan Legacy Video
Remarks by Newt and Callista Gingrich
Remarks by Craig Romney
8:00 p.m. Remarks by Governor former Jeb Bush (FL)
Remarks by Bob White, chairman of Romney for President campaign
Remarks by Grant Bennett
Remarks by Tom Stemberg
9:00 p.m.
Remarks by former Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kerry Healey
Remarks by Jane Edmonds, former Massachusetts Secretary of Workforce
Remarks by Olympians Michael Eruzione, Derek Parra and Kim Rhode
10:00 p.m.
Remarks by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Remarks by presidential nominee Mitt Romney
Benediction by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan
Speaker Boehner declares convention adjourned