Initial List of RNC Convention Speakers Released

The 2016 Republican National Convention kicks off next week on Monday, July 18th. In recent weeks, the Trump campaign has been feverishly working to fill the speaking slots with a variety of people including politicians, athletes, and some with a touch of celebrity.

The New York Times has obtained a list of the names scheduled to speak. This list is preliminary and the days and names are subject to change.

Night 1: [Monday, July 18th] A Benghazi focus, followed by border patrol agents and Mr. Shaw, whose son was killed by an undocumented immigrant. Senator Cotton, Mr. Giuliani, Melania Trump, Ms. Ernst and others.

Night 2: [Tuesday, July 19th] A focus on the economy: Mr. White, president of the U.F.C.; Asa Hutchinson, the governor of Arkansas; Michael Mukasey, the former United States attorney general; Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a vice-presidential possibility; Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader; Tiffany Trump; Donald Trump Jr. and Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin.

Night 3: [Wednesday, July 20th] Ms. Bondi; Ms. Collins; Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker; Senator Ted Cruz of Texas; Eric Trump; Ms. Gulbis; and the nominee for vice president.

Night 4: [Thursday, July 21st] Mr. Tebow; Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma; Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman; Gov. Rick Scott of Florida; Mr. Thiel; Mr. Barrack; Ivanka Trump; Donald J. Trump.

Almost certainly there will be more appearances and speakers than are listed here as the schedule is finlaized into the weekend. Trump is trying to put on a major entertainment show with the convention, something he hopes will be “must-see-TV” for the entirety of next week.

One thing worth noting is that the name of Indiana Governor Mike Pence is missing from the lineup, though Newt Gingrich is listed on night 3, and not necessarily in the Vice President spot. This might not mean anything, though it jumped out at me when I read the list. Could this indicate that Mike Pence is the likely VP choice at this point?

So far, the list is a little underwhelming and doesn’t quite meet the standard Trump originally set forth. It is, however, a preliminary list obtained by a newspaper, so we’ll be awaiting a more formalized list in the next couple days.