Gov. Scott, Fla. AG Bondi To Speak At RNC
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow area just a few of the politicos and celebs from Florida scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Bondi was the first high-profile Florida politician to back presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump ahead of the March primary. Scott didn't endorse Trump until after the primary.
Bondi is getting a speaking spot despite questions that have been raised about her connections to Trump. She personally asked Trump for a contribution to a political committee around the same time her office was being asked about a New York investigation of alleged fraud at Trump University.
Presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump has approved a convention program that features at least 20 current or former elected officials, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a primary rival.
Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder, may be the first-openly gay speaker featured at a national Republican convention. His appearance comes as party leaders refuse to soften the GOP's formal opposition to gay marriage.
Other speakers will include four of Trump's children, Las Vegas casino owner Phil Ruffin, and actor and former underwear model Antonio Sabàto Jr.
The program will feature people such pro golfer Natalie Gulbis, retired astronaut Eileen Collins, and Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White. Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, author of the book, "Lone Survivor," about a 2005 firefight in Afghanistan, will make an appearance, along with a Wisconsin sheriff, David Clarke, who is a vocal critic of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The convention will highlight religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell Jr. and Haskel Lookstein, the New York rabbi who converted Trump's daughter Ivanka to Judaism.
Trump does not forget his business relationships, giving speaking slots to real estate investor Tom Barrack and even the general manager for Virginia's Trump Winery, Kerry Woolard.
In a nod toward party unity, Trump will feature several former presidential competitors, including Cruz, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Ben Carson and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Some of the GOP's biggest names, however, have declined to participate in four-day convention which begins on Monday.
Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and the party's two most recent presidential nominees, John McCain and Mitt Romney, plan to skip the event, as does Ohio Gov. John Kasich, another Trump primary challenger. Other well-known Florida Republicans including former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio are also skipping the convention.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
