2004 Republican National Convention

- Profiles of Likely Convention Speakers -

Which of them will have the most impact in years to come?

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Rudy Giuliani  -  John McCain  -  Rod Paige  -  Arnold Schwarzenegger  -  Zell Miller  - George Pataki  - Other Speakers

Which of them will have the most impact in years to come?

Back before TV, radio, and the Voting Rights Act, a national political convention was the place where a select group of party leaders met to choose their national candidates and plan their policy positions. They were loud, sweaty, raucous events that put the "party" in "political party."

Over the past four decades, the backroom maneuvering of the old political conventions has been replaced to a large extent by the modern primary system. By the time the parties' national conventions roll around, the candidates have been selected, and even the platform positions are largely worked out.

A modern national convention is little more than a marketing event for the party, but there's still some fun to be had. The keynote speeches each evening provide an opportunity for a national audience to get a look at some of the party's up and coming talent. Occasionally, one of those speakers will go on to prominence as happened with Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton after his 1988 speech. Other times, a promising star on a convention night will fade over time, like Texas Governor Ann Richards after her 1992 speech.

Which one of this year's speakers will shine and which will fade?  It's anybody's guess.  Profiles of some of the likely speakers are below:

Rudy Giuliani (see text of his speech)

Former Mayor of New York City from 1993-2001, Giuliani made a reputation for himself as a tough reformer.  Elected to the post in 1993 he presided over an unprecedented decline in crime rates and a resurgence in the city's economy.  Critics expressed concern over police tactics under Giuliani's administration, but he was generally well liked by members of both parties and regarded as a moderate. 

His remarkable leadership in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center made him an icon for the city and a symbol of the nation's determination.  He stepped down as mayor in 2001.

John McCain (see text of his speech)

Senator from Arizona.  A Navy Pilot in the Vietnam War, he was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese.  He spent more than 5 years as a POW.  In 1986 he took Barry Goldwater's seat in the Senate. McCain is a moderate who has frequently clashed with the ideological wing of the party and with the White House.  In 2000 he lost a bitter race for the Republican nomination for President.

McCain was reportedly courted by the Kerry campaign as a potential candidate for Vice President.  Despite differences, McCain has remained in the GOP camp and is campaigning for President Bush.

Rod Paige

Secretary of Education under President Bush and former Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District from 1994-2001.  As an African-American, Paige is a symbol of the GOP's efforts to reach out to minority voters.  Paige is credited with a major turn-around in the quality of Houston's public schools.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Where to begin...  Body-building sensation, film star, and now Governor of California, Schwarzenegger has already had a fascinating life.  In 2003 he replaced then Governor Gray Davis in a bizarre recall process.  Though he's been in office less than a year, he's already stepping out of the shadow of his film persona and establishing a reputation as a pragmatic moderate. 

Like several other speakers at this year's convention, he has clashed with the administration and the party over ideological issues, but he is nonetheless seen as a key figure in the party's future.  Having been born in Austria, he is not eligible to run for President.

Zell Miller

Democratic Senator and former Governor from Georgia.  A past supporter of Bill Clinton.  Miller has endorsed Bush in the 2004 campaign.  Appointed to the Senate in 2000, Miller has dissented with the Democratic Party on numerous issues, but retains his affiliation.  He is a symbol of the GOP's growing dominance in southern states.

George Pataki

Third-term Republican Governor in the overwhelmingly Democratic state of New York, Pataki, like the other speakers at the GOP convention has earned a reputation as a moderate.  Pataki has focused on tax relief and trimming bureaucracy. 

Other Speakers

Senators Rick Santorum and Bill Frist, Representatives Sam Brownback and Dennis Hastert, and a raft of other speakers were added to the list late after protests that the original speakers list was too moderate.  With the major evening speaking positions already announced, it is not clear yet where each of these speakers will eventually appear in the lineup.  You can find a complete list of all the speakers from the official GOP Convention site by clicking here.