Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who on Tuesday said she planned to attend the Republican National Convention in her hometown of Tampa but didnt know what role shed play, was named a headline speaker on Wednesday for the partys marquee event.
Bondi, whose name has again appeared among the lists of rumored vice presidential candidates as she has been one of the leading figures in the fight against President Obamas health care overhaul, was one of five headliners announced for the Aug. 27-30 convention on Wednesday morning by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.
Other headliners announced Wednesday:U.S. Senate nominee Ted Cruz of Texas; Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortu, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens; and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is coming off his recall victory.
"These five remarkable individuals will bring a diversity of experiences and perspectives to the convention stage in Tampa, where they will voice their support for Governor Mitt Romney, Priebus stated in a release.
They have each served the public in their own impressive ways, and they all share a dedication to the Republican principles of individual opportunity, responsible government and personal liberty."
They join an impressive roster announced in the prior two days that includes Florida Gov. Rick Scott and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
No keynote speaker has been announced or times set for any speeches.
The list of speakers continues to be void of some of the more marquee names that have been bandied about as serious vice presidential candidates for presumptive nominee Mitt Romney: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
On Tuesday, Bondi said she planned to attend the convention but had not been apprised of any role.
I just want to do whats best for the convention, she said following Tuesdays Cabinet meeting.
Im excited about all the governors who are speaking, Bondi said. Im thrilled our governor has a speaking role, of course, because its in our state. Im really looking forward to it because its in my hometown.
In the release with Wednesdays announcement, Bondi stated:
"The government takeovers coming out of Washington have to stop. As an attorney general, we are constantly fighting the federal government back from overreaching and overregulating -- from the EPA to health care. We want to help businesses create jobs for our people, not regulate and tax them into bankruptcy. Mitt Romney will fight for our job-creators, and I am honored to be a part of his nomination to be the next president later this month in the great state of Florida."
Bush, despite his denunciations, has also been mentioned as a vice presidential candidate. Other convention speakers whose names have been tossed about as running mates for Romney are New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Other previously named speakers: former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Arkansas governor and current Fort Walton Beach resident Mike Huckabee.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
