Ann Romney expected to kick off GOP convention

August 19th, 2012

11:41 AM ET

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Ann Romney expected to kick of GOP convention

Posted by

CNN Political Director Mark Preston

Washington (CNN) - Ann Romney is expected to be named the main headliner to kick off the Republican National Convention – establishing a foundation for the week long GOP effort to rally support for her husband’s presidential campaign.

The announcement is likely to come Monday as part of a bigger rollout of the convention schedule, a Republican source with knowledge of the plan tells CNN. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the schedule could change, as the Romney campaign and organizers seek to put the finishing touches on the four day event.

(In the past week, several speakers have told CNN they received their speaking slots, but were warned not to reveal them because the days and times could change).

Having Ann Romney play a prominent role on the convention’s first night makes sense, as she is widely considered to be one of her husband’s most effective surrogates. It would also create a bookend effect – Ann Romney speaking on the first night, with her husband formally accepting the Republican presidential nomination on the final evening of the convention. This is an important optic as Mitt Romney’s family has played a key messaging role in his presidential campaign.

Another Republican source, who asked not to be named, said that the goal of the convention is “to tell Mitt Romney's story as someone who has the skills and background to turn the nation around.”

With the exception of naming New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as the keynote speaker and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the person who will introduce Romney on Thursday night,
RNC officials have only released the names of speakers who will address the convention.

But throughout this coming week, specific details will be unveiled for each convention night, seven days in advance. For example, speakers, times and the theme for the opening night will be released Monday. On Tuesday, similar details will be released for the second day of the convention. This will continue throughout this week.

In a nod to the growing influence and use of mobile devices, organizers will be releasing this daily information on the convention’s official app, Tampa 2012. The Republican convention will convene on August 27 and end with Romney accepting his party’s nomination on August 30.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/19/ann-romney-expected-to-kick-of-gop-convention/