Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida amid rumors that presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney has placed him on his shortlist of potential running mates.
“I am honored to speak about our Republican vision for the future at the national convention in Tampa,” Sen. Paul said in an official statement released on Tuesday. Although a finalized list of attendees, speakers and scheduled address times has not been published by the RNC yet, this week’s announcement that Sen. Paul will be provided a platform was accompanied by a brief roster of others officially slated to speak later this month. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and former US Senator Rick Santorum are all scheduled to give addresses.Speaking of the announcement, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus says he’s “thrilled” that the GOP will be represented by Sen. Paul and other influential right-wing politicians when the RNC begins on August 27."As our party unites around Governor Romney, these four great leaders will lend their voices in support of his vision to get America back on track,” Priebus tells the press.Sen. Paul, who has already officially announced his endorsement this election year for Gov. Romney, once again threw his support behind the presumptive nominee.“I believe Gov. Romney would help our country start a new path, where job creators are encouraged not punished, and where the size and scope of government are brought under control,” he tells reporters.Sen. Paul told Fox News back in June that his “first choice” for president this November had been his father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), but upon the end of the nominating process he switched stances to support Gov. Romney, whose policies largely contrast with those of the congressman. The younger Paul told Fox’s Sean Hannity that he decided on endorsing Gov. Romney after the two spoke on issues that he believes even his father could agree on.“One of the big issues for our supporters, for myself and my dad is auditing the [Federal Reserve],” Sen. Paul said. “We think there needs to be more transparency to the Fed and more oversight by Congress. This is something Gov. Romney was supportive of throughout his campaign and also was supportive of in private to me.”Rep. Ron Paul has refused to rescind his bid for the GOP nomination and is expected to be in Tampa later this month to address supporters at an event that coincides with the National Convention. It has not been confirmed if he will speak at the RNC itself yet.Addressing his endorsement once again, Sen. Paul tells the press this week, “I believe Governor Romney would help our country start a new path, where job creators are encouraged not punished, and where the size and scope of government are brought under control.”Gov. Romney has failed to make any formal announcements thus far on whom he has selected as his vice president candidate, but pundits have suggested that Sen. Paul could be a likely choice.