# Who will speak at the RNC? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 28, 2004, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253 "2004-07-28T07:28:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/1 "2004-07-28T07:28:36Z")
I don’t even know if an official list has been posted, but I hope not. Idle speculation is a lot more fun. The DNC has had a few fantastic speeches. Namely, Heinz-Kerry, Clinton, and Obama. Reagan’s was also quite good, I thought. So who will line up for the Republicans? It seems that they don’t have nearly as many charismatic speakers as the Democrats do. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/2 "2004-07-28T07:43:44Z")
Zell Miller will speak. He gave a good speech at the 1992 Democratic convention, but lately he has sounded very cranky. I’m sure there will be a 9/11 relative as well as a NYPD or NYFD officer. John McCain will also get a a major spot. There will be a Regan tribute with Nancy speaking. Colin Powell gave a decent speech at the 1996 RNC. I’m sure he will have a prime time slot. Rudy Giuliani will get a major push. Elizabeth Dole will surely speak. I think we might also see Bob Dole, Gerald Ford, George H W Bush, and George Pataki in featured slots. Arnold will probably give the “immigrant dream of American future” speech. Dan Quayle, Jeb Bush, Jerry Falwell, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and other controversial types will not likely get major roles. The Republicans learned that lesson from the 1992 debacle. ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/3 "2004-07-28T07:43:51Z")
arnold schwarzenegger john mccain bill frist george bush elizabeth dole zell miller denis hastert rick santorum sam brownback michael steele heather wilson anne northrup erika harold rudy guiliani laura bush rod paige dick cheney michael bloomberg george pataki ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/4 "2004-07-28T11:32:32Z")
cmason32, are you borrowing e e cummings’ typewriter? The [Official RNC Site](http://www.2004nycgop.org/contents/newsroom/releases/072004.shtml) gives a list of those already on the program. Not sure if this list is exhaustive or more names will be added. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/5 "2004-07-28T13:24:55Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > There will be a Regan tribute with Nancy speaking. “Gillespie said Nancy Reagan is welcome at next month’s Republican convention in New York, but he does not expect her to attend.” [Toronto Star, July 28](http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1090966234367) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/6 "2004-07-28T14:19:12Z")
Interesting that **Jeb Bush** doesn’t seem to have a slot yet. Surely the Bush family will insist on the opportunity to raise his profile? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/7 "2004-07-28T14:24:58Z")
> [@Johnny Bravo](#): > > I don’t even know if an official list has been posted, but I hope not. Idle speculation is a lot more fun. > > The DNC has had a few fantastic speeches. Namely, **Heinz-Kerry** , Clinton, and Obama. Reagan’s was also quite good, I thought. > > So who will line up for the Republicans? It seems that they don’t have nearly as many charismatic speakers as the Democrats do. Did you listen to her speech last night? It was horrid. Whoever is writing for her hasn’t spent any time with her, whatsoever. The timing, pacing and tone of it were all completely wrong for her. It may have been a worse speech than Ted Kennedy’s. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/8 "2004-07-28T14:45:04Z")
Nobody. They will merely chant. In unison. Thousands of them. Then, they shall take to the streets. And march. In lockstep. As befits a Party that cannot tolerate internal dissent, or diversity of opinion in its own ranks. It ain’t the same Party it was in Reagan’s time, I’ll tell ya. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/9 "2004-07-28T15:46:39Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Nobody. > > They will merely chant. > In unison. > Thousands of them. > > Then, they shall take to the streets. > And march. > In lockstep. > > As befits a Party that cannot tolerate internal dissent, or diversity of opinion in its own ranks. > > It ain’t the same Party it was in Reagan’s time, I’ll tell ya. But. Will they. Chant in the stutteri. Ng manner in w. Hich you type? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/10 "2004-07-28T17:09:39Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > But. > > Will they. > > Chant in the stutteri. > > Ng manner in w. > > Hich you type? No, they will not. For, you see, one cannot type with cloven hooves. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/11 "2004-07-28T18:29:20Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Did you listen to her speech last night? It was horrid. Whoever is writing for her hasn’t spent any time with her, whatsoever. The timing, pacing and tone of it were all completely wrong for her. It may have been a worse speech than Ted Kennedy’s. Funny, I rather liked her speech. I did notice that her pacing was a bit off, but I attributed that to her accent, not the speech itself. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/12 "2004-07-28T19:24:52Z")
You know, I haven’t read a transcript of her speech - it may read very well. But she is sore need of a coach, or at least have the writer go through it with her. Again, I think she’s fantastic - I actually have a huge crush on her. I also think she’s very articulate and gets a bad rap for her accent. But it was things like this that grated for me: > [@](#): > > My only hope is that, one day soon, women—who have all earned the right to their opinions … > \ > … instead of being labeled opinionated, will be called smart or well-informed, just as men are. She should have talked right through that applause. It wasn’t loud or a standing ovation, it was people thinking she completed a sentence, and it completely devalued the meat of that statement - that women _aren’t_ opinionated, they’re intelligent. I’m sure she was told to slow down when speaking - but that’s not her strength. Her strength is her passion, her emotion and her intensity. All of those were discarded in favor of making sure the American Somoa delegates up in the rafters could hear her. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/13 "2004-07-28T19:40:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Q: [WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM BE FOR THE CONVENTION?](http://www.2004nycgop.org/contents/newsroom/general_info/faq/) > > The official program is taking shape and this year’s convention promises to provide four days of outstanding guests and memorable events. The theme and program will showcase the president’s leadership and commitment to the American people, the unity and momentum of the Republican Party, and the diversity and strength of our nation. > > The 2004 Republican National Convention recently announced the following lineup of guest speakers. > > On Monday, August 30, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will open the convention and welcome delegates. That evening, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will take the stage at Madison Square Garden to address the party and the nation. > On Tuesday, August 31, First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) will address the nation in primetime. > On Wednesday, September 1, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) will headline the 2004 Republican National Convention program. > On Thursday, September 2, the convention’s final evening, Governor George Pataki (R-NY) will introduce President George W. Bush, who will accept the Republican Party’s nomination to lead our country for another four years. > The 2004 Republican National Convention will have further announcements about our convention program in the days and weeks ahead. Nothing incorrect about the list that **cmason** provided, but I think it’s worth distinguishing between those who’ve been given the high-visibility spots, and those who might wind up speaking when even PBS has better things to be doing with their time. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/14 "2004-07-29T03:10:59Z")
I really think the RNC is really dropping the ball in not featuring Michael Reagan (whose snubbing by the Conservative community I totally don’t understand) or Jenna & Barabara II. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/15 "2004-07-29T03:19:13Z")
Oohh! Put on Rush Limbaugh! Please! And Trent Lott! And Michael Savage! And . . . and Ann Coulter! Yeah! Ann Coulter! She’ll charm America’s socks off! 😃 And . . . is Jesse Helms still alive? ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/16 "2004-07-29T03:23:11Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😃 And . . . is Jesse Helms still alive? Does it really matter? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/17 "2004-07-29T11:24:16Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And . . . is Jesse Helms still alive? He wil win the hearts & minds of Undead Americans everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/18 "2004-07-29T16:26:19Z")
Oh! And New Gingrich! Put on Newt Gingrich! His sharp wit and gentle, kind demeanor will pick up lotsa votes in the So . . . Mid . . . swing st . . . somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/19 "2004-07-29T21:26:29Z")
It is interesting that some of their most visible speakers are from the more liberal faction of the party – Guiliani, Pataki and Schwarzenegger, for example. Even the Vice President disagrees with the President on gay rights. Can anyone on the list be described as a neo-Conservative or as an ultra-Conservative? Who reflects Bush’s stance on “pro-life,” pro-death penalty, anti-gay marriage, faith-based initiative, tax cuts, deficit spending, pro invasion of Iraq or other controversial issues? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253/20 "2004-07-29T21:49:54Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > Who reflects Bush’s stance on “pro-life,” pro-death penalty, anti-gay marriage, faith-based initiative, tax cuts, deficit spending, pro invasion of Iraq or other controversial issues? Rick Santorum, champion of the Defense of Marriage Amendment. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-speak-at-the-rnc/257253.md?page=2)