'Diverse' GOP Convention Speakers Revealed

Posted by Isaac Fitzgerald, AlterNet at 4:16 AM on August 21, 2008.

So the AP has released the line-up for the GOP convention and, surprise surprise, the speakers are a bunch of old, rich, white folk:

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention next month and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman also will take center stage at the GOP gathering.

John McCain's vanquished Republican primary rivals -- and a slew of potential McCain running mates -- also have speaking roles at the four-day gathering in St. Paul, Minn.

President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, first lady Laura Bush, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lieberman, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000 and is said to be under consideration for the same role with McCain, will open the convention on Monday, Sept. 1, with speeches that focus on service.

But here's where those GOPers make with the funny.

When asked about the RNC lineup, McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis said the line-up is all about "diversity:"

The senator wanted the list of speakers to showcase the "diversity" of the Republican Party.

Bush, Cheney, Arnold and Giuliani ... now that's what I call diversity. Seriously. It's gonna be like some kind of Rainbow Coalition gathering in St. Paul. Like a regular multicultural day right there at the convention. Minnesota better watch out, the GOP's Diversity Parade is coming. Ok. I'm finished.

Tagged as: bush, gop, cheney, mccain, arnold, st. paul