The first group of headline speakers at this month's Republican convention, announced Monday morning -- former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Sen. John
McCain (R-Ariz) and others -- was a nod to diversity. The second group, announced Tuesday morning, was a play for significant constituencies in the party's base.
In particular, Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) presence on the stage in Tampa will help supporters of the senator's father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who ran for president this year and caused the GOP headaches at multiple state party conventions.
And former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who waged a hard fought and at times bitter battle with Mitt Romney during the Republican primary, will also be a primetime speaker.
The Republican National Committee announced Paul and Santorum's speaking slots along with slots for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin.
Announcing Paul and Santorum one day after publicizing the first group of headliners looked like a way to try to mitigate the lumps that the GOP knows it will take from Democrats, who will likely use Paul's statements on fiscal policy and Santorum's past remarks on social policy to label the party as extreme.
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