WASHINGTON, June 28 (UPI) -- The Republican National Committee announced the initial line-up of speakers Monday for its 2004 nominating convention.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will open the convention Monday. He will be followed by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain. On Tuesday, first lady Laura Bush, U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will speak. Vice President Dick Cheney, his wife Lynne, and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., the leader of Democrats for Bush-Cheney, are scheduled to speak Wednesday. The president speaks Thursday night following an introduction by New York Gov. George Pataki.
The roster drew praise from a leading GOP moderates, who had feared centrist Republicans would not have featured roles.
The Republican Main Street Partnership's Sarah Chamberlain Resnick said they were "very pleased" at the prominent roles given McCain, Schwarzenegger and Pataki, and it shows that "party leaders understand how critical the moderate wing is to the Republican Party." The lineup of speakers reflects the idea that the GOP is, "a big tent party that has room for both centrists and conservatives," she said.
The Democrats have not finalized plans for their nominating convention, scheduled for Boston in late July.
