NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Retired U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of U.S. forces during the Iraq invasion, will speak Thursday at the Republican convention, officials said.
Franks has spoken out in support of President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, but was not previously on the short list of speakers.
Mark Pfeifle, communications director for the convention, offered no additional explanation.
Also speaking before Bush Thursday will be NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, Olympic Gold Medalist Dorothy Hamill and New York Gov. George Pataki, who will introduce the president.
In other developments Tuesday, campaign officials said first daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush would take to the stage at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night to make personal remarks in introducing their mother Laura, who will speak about her husband and his agenda.
