After much speculation about how Donald Trump would shake up the traditional Republican National Convention format (and whether anyone would agree to appear with him), an official speakers’ list for the event is out:
The New York Times reports, meanwhile, that the first night of the convention (next Monday) will involve “a Benghazi focus” and that at some point there will be “a presentation detailing former President Bill Clinton’s sexual misconduct.”
Some notes:
- While some notable Republicans—John Kasich, John McCain, Mitt Romney, the Bushes, Mia Love—are conspicuously missing from the list, there are a decent number of par-for-the-course elected GOP figures involved: Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Scott Walker, Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, Jeff Sessions, etc.
- There’s also heavy representation from the party’s inflammatory wingnut/conspiracy-theorist/”political correctness” caucus: Carson, Newt, Giuliani, Pam Bondi, Mike Huckabee, Milwaukee sheriff David Clarke (who is black but believes Black Lives Matter is a hate group).
- UFC president Dana White and venture capitalist Peter Thiel are interesting outside-the-box choices who will presumably talk about entrepreneurship.
- Tim Tebow is connected to an ongoing story about Trump possibly using charity money inappropriately.
- Brock Mealer is the brother of a former University of Michigan football player who made an inspirational recovery from being severely injured in a car crash.
- Everyone in Trump’s family except his 10-year-old son Barron will speak.
- Kerry Woolard is “the general manager of the Trump Winery in Virginia.”
Well. Here we go!
