Despite media speculation that he was being shunted to the sidelines for the sake of the presidential contest, Florida Gov. Rick Scott will take the stage during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, along with a former presidential candidate and two dark horse prospects for vice president.
And while presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romneys campaign has denied a report by Bloomberg that Scott was told to downplay economic progress in Florida, Scott intends to highlight economic gains made in the Sunshine State.
Mitt Romney knows that it is the hard-working people of America who build businesses and create jobs, not the government, Scott stated in a release. We share that same belief here in Florida where we continue our progress in helping to create jobs by moving government out of the way of our businesses. I look forward to telling our story to the world when we gather in Tampa in just a few weeks.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry called the "rumors" to soften the Florida economic outlook "fun for people to talk about."
"My guess is (Scott) will talk about the success that we have in Florida, that in fact unemployment is on a three-year low, that we've created an environment that is pro-job creation and pro-education and we'd be that much more successful if we had a partner in Washington," Curry said.
No dates and times for individual speeches were announced.
Others named as speakers Monday by the Republican National Committee included New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, both mentioned as long-shot potential running mates for Romney.
Martinez would be considered a potential draw for the Hispanic vote. She has guided a border state where security is a concern, while Rice brings foreign policy credentials to the table, even if just as a speaker at the convention.
Also invited to provide headlining speeches during the Aug. 27-30 convention are 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.
Kasich is a tea party favorite from a key battleground state, while Huckabee would be hoped to bring around social conservatives that have remained concerned about Romneys Mormon faith.
We are proud and excited to announce these outstanding leaders will address the nation during our convention in Tampa, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus stated in a release.
They are some of our partys brightest stars, who have governed and led effectively and admirably in their respective roles. Ours will be a world class convention, worthy of the next president of the United States, and these speakers -- and those that will be announced later -- will help make it a truly memorable and momentous event.
The list also is not final. The keynote speaker isnt identified, with the Republican National Committee stating that additional speakers, including the keynote, will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
But while Martinez and Rice now have announced spots on the dais, the releases leave one to wonder what this list means for the vice presidential prospects of 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.
Republican National Convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris noted that these individuals exemplify the Republican Partys commitment to economic growth and long-term job creation, and reflect our proud tradition of protecting Americas interests around the world.
Comments upon being named speakers:
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
The future generations of our children and our grandchildren are at stake in this election. While Americans work to build their businesses and create jobs, leaders of the Democratic party have spent more than three years raising taxes, increasing spending and taking away our health care choices. The Republican National Convention will be a time for not just our party, but our country to come together and get behind Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States. I look forward to being a part of this historic event.
Former Governor Mike Huckabee
Im honored to be invited by Governor Romney to address my fellow Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, but especially grateful for the opportunity to explain to my fellow Americans why this election provides the most stark contrast of political platforms in American history. Four years ago, we were promised an economic recovery and the creation of millions of jobs, but have now seen the longest period of record unemployment since the Great Depression. We were promised that the sacred institution of marriage would be protected, but now we have the first president in history to support changing the nature and definition of marriage. We were promised that faith would guide these decisions, but instead we have seen a full frontal assault on the conscience and convictions of religious liberty by insisting that this new government-run health care system include forcing churches, colleges, hospitals, and businesses to bow their knee to the Baal of the federal government. I will do all I can to help Mitt Romney become our president.
Ohio Governor John Kasich
This election comes down to one thing jobs. In Ohio, we know what that means. It means we need a leader who believes in American innovation, American ingenuity and the can-do American spirit that embodies our country. That leader is Mitt Romney, and I am honored to be a part of officially nominating him at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez
The Republican National Convention will give Mitt Romney momentum for securing a critical victory for our country this fall. Americans want to work. They want to build their businesses, compete and succeed in order to create more jobs and a secure future for their families. Mitt Romney knows that is the formula for our economic growth -- not more government roadblocks. We will share this message in Tampa in a few weeks, and the American voters will make their voices heard on this at the polls in November."
Arizona Senator John McCain
In these challenging times, America needs Mitt Romney in the White House. The Republican National Convention in Tampa will help give us the momentum to get him there. Mitt Romney knows that our nations best days are still ahead of us and he has a plan to turn Americas economy around and create jobs again. He knows that more government is not the answer; its the hard work and ingenuity of the American people that will move our country forward. Mitt Romney believes, as Ronald Reagan did, that America has a unique and indispensable leadership role to promote security and prosperity around the world. I am very proud to support Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Americans are looking for leadership in Washington to advance the belief that free markets and free people are the cornerstones to our countrys future. I look forward to being a part of the Republican National Convention later this month to support those beliefs by nominating Mitt Romney to be our next president.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
