Rubio keeps key speaking slot
Tampa, Florida (CNN) - Ann Romney will speak Tuesday evening at the Republican National Convention, a move designed to ensure a larger audience watches her prime time speech during the four day event that will culminate in her husband accepting the GOP nomination.
Ann Romney was originally scheduled to speak Monday - headlining the first day of the convention and creating a bookend effect with her husband. But the broadcast networks decided not to carry the first night of the convention, forcing the Romney campaign to scramble and find another night to showcase Ann Romney.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
- Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.
One idea that was seriously considered was moving Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida from his prime speaking slot Thursday right where he would introduce Mitt Romney.
This shocked some of Rubio's supporters in this very important battleground state, and such a move could have created a headache for Romney with Latino voters.
"Sen. Rubio was incredibly gracious to offer his speaking slot to Mrs. Romney, and we thank him for his kind offer," Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades said in a statement. "However, he will remain the last speaker in primetime on Thursday night before Gov. Romney accepts the nomination. In many ways, Sen. Rubio represents the future of the Republican Party and we can think of no better person to introduce Gov. Romney on this important night."
Ann Romney will address the convention before New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will remain as the convention's keynote speaker.
Rubio, a Cuban American, is well regarded by Florida Republicans, specifically Cubans in South Florida – who are considered a key constituency in Romney's bid to win Florida. Cuban Americans traditionally vote Republican and many view Rubio as a future presidential candidate himself.
Ann Romney is considered by many people to be one of her husband's strongest surrogates because she helps to soften up his image as a calculated businessman.
While the broadcast networks will not air the first evening of the convention, they do plan limited coverage of the remaining three days. CNN will run live primetime coverage all four days.
- CNN's Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
what? Who cares. Obama has won.
Yeah, like Rethugs actually like hispanics. Ask Jan Brewer of Arizona.
watching the US Open will be more exciting than watching peroxide anne or for that matter the convention of the misfits, liars and extremely nauseating. "simple minded people", the repugnants.
and they wanted to throw the ruby under the bus for her????????wow....not nice UGH.
It is beyond my comprehension how anyone might consider Mr. FLIP FLOPPER.
cuban medicare fraud and marco rubio is silent about
South Florida is known as the capital of Medicare fraud,
Feds in Miami: Millions stolen from Medicare wound up in Cuban banking system In an unprecedented case, federal prosecutors have charged a Miami man with engaging in a massive money laundering scheme that moved millions stolen from the federal Medicare program into Cuban banks.
I want to protect Medicare. I want to save it," Rubio told CNN.
"It's going bankrupt. And so the only way to save it is to come up
with a solution that allows our parents and our grandparents to see
absolutely no changes to their Medicare," Rubio added.
what a joke
when will Rubio start working for jobs in Florida ??? he should stop campaigning and vacationing and self promoting his book on our Florida time and get to work !!!
If Republicans and Democrats do not battle the immigration reform among Hispanics voters most likely that party who turns away from them will lose the election!
Who cares ,rebio the goof with the open Rnc card charged to the max ,who cares. If he's s thief ,the Gop bafoon party is runing sromney the tax cheat. For president ,da!!!!!
Score one for the GOP. When they could have shot themselves in the foot by replacing the home town hero with the candidate's wife, they blinked. I honestly started reading this story expecting the GOP to do something else really stupid, but I guess they still have till Thursday to deport Rubio to prove they have an immigration plan.
Can this guy get any more boring?
Hopefully ISAAC will be the keynote speaker
please no more obama
Poor Ann Romney, as usual wearing the "Pants" in the family...... Nothing against you Mr. Romney, but if you want to be Commander-in-Chief then answer these questions Please:
Why did you Avoid the Draft during the Vietnam War by going to Paris to do "Missionary Work" ?
Yet.... Why did you Demonstrate with your Friends FOR the DRAFT and Avoided the Vietnam War Draft?
Yet.... Why are You SOO Ready to Take the Country INTO Another War (Iran)?
Why do you want to Increase Military Spending at a TIME when YOU Should be INVESTING in the AMERICAN PEOPLE?
Just Your Average Voter wanting a Few Questions Answered......
ANGRY ANN-toinette needs as much "softening" as alexithymic Mitt.
Let the horse speak. As a tax payer i demand it. I pay for the up keep of that animal. And horse please release the tax returns.
Senator Rubio's appearance is a powerful influence for Romney.
Democrats must remember that almost all Republicans always vote: Romney might win the election just because many Democrats do not understand the importance of getting to the voting booth, even in the rain.
Extravagant waste of money while many Americans go wanting and hungry.
Someone outthere must think that all Cubans and Cuban Americans are either fools or senile. We supporting Rubio? Rubio the guy that lied about being a Cuban refugee in this book.? The guy that was cought with his hands on the till dufing his candidacy? The guy that most of his colleages love in the Florida legislation?
Please, get real.
If Rubio was, "gracious to offer his speaking slot to Ann Romney", it shows an amazing bending over to the top of ticket. Rubio's support would offer more of a boast to Romney than the loyalty of his wife. The voters certainly expect Romney's wife to think he's a super candidate, or at least say that. Rubio, with his support, brings some latino voters to the booth. Rubio would be a fool to give up his prime spot, and the handlers were fools to ask him.
Romney says he won't raise taxes on middle class, but that's what Republican Michigan governor Rick Snyder and his Republican legislature said BEFORE election. Once in, they imposed high new taxes on retired pensioners on fixed incomes while giving new tax breaks to rich. Even lifelong Republicans now say buyer beware of this product.
Ann Romney is using any means necessary to become Flotus. That's how bad she wants it.
Oh gee... nothing like 4 days of continuous blowhards patting themselves on the back. Who needs to worry about hurricanes? They will create enough hot air, it will create a catagory 5 storm on its own. I say the same for democrats.