I Love A Mystery

The WSJ builds some suspense around the Republican convention:

TAMPA, Fla. – Republican convention planners appear to have a surprise planned for those tuning in Thursday night.

Buried deep in the convention schedule released Monday is a vague reference to a mystery speaker scheduled for the event’s final evening. “To Be Announced” has a prime speaking slot late in the Thursday program.

...

The only other speakers to follow “To Be Announced” will be Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Mr. Romney himself, suggesting that the unnamed guest may appear during the 10 p.m. hour when the networks all will be broadcasting the convention.

Convention planners have spread the announcement of the speakers for this week’s gathering across a few weeks, slowly revealing the names of those who landed coveted slots. But until Monday, it appeared that all the blanks had been filled in, as most high-profile Republicans already had speaking roles or had explained their absence from the convention.

The line-up features a long list of governors and senators, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. Former presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are on the agenda, as are former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Former Vice President Dick Cheney and former President George W. Bush have said they won’t be attending, but a video from Mr. Bush is on Wednesday’s program.

So who’s left? Stay tuned.

They follow with a poll and a give the readers a chance to vote. The offered choices are Zell Miller, Ted Nugent, Sarah Palin, David Petraeus, Nancy Reagan and Chesley Sullenberger (aka "Sully").

Nancy Reagan is 91; Zell Miller is yesterday's news; Ted Nugent is not a Republican rock star the way Sarah Palin is. Gen. Petraeus, on the other hand, could be. Hmm...

Comments

[Melinda Romanoff]

Santelli, who is in Orlando, gets the auxiliary gate odds at 20 to 1.

[Sue]

I was trying to think who the surprise could be that would have everyone sitting up and taking notice. Sarah Palin came to mind. George W. Bush. Dick Cheney. They wouldn't let them, they didn't rape a woman and diddle an intern so they can't appear at our convention. They are too controversial. And then it dawned on me who it might be...

[MarkO]

First?

[MarkO]

Third.

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 13 at Raz today.

Leads Romney by 2.

[Poll King]

Raz adds a little special sauce to his polls to keep things interesting.

[centralcal]

Axey - do your Twitter prediction again with the hashtag #GOP2012 so that it will get more notice.

[Sue]

Did I do it right this time?

[centralcal]

From Weasel Zippers (via LA Times):

With final ticket sales tallied Monday, the conservative documentary”2016: Obama’s America” was the top new movie this weekend, selling $6.5 million worth of tickets in the U.S. and Canada.

[centralcal]

Perfect, Sue - way to get your prediction out there!

[hrtshpdbox]

My guess for the mystery speaker is clips of Ronnie talking about limited gov't and whatnot.

[dublindave]

I've contacted my source and he says it's Sarah "I can see Russia from my house" Palin.

[Captain Hate]

This doesn't seem very perky to me http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2194273/Katie-Couric-Former-CBS-anchor-says-felt-constrained-network.html

[GMAX]

I've contacted my source

Translation

Poked my head further up my arse...

[Threadkiller]

"Trump was in Sarasota, Fla., over the weekend to accept an award, but headed back to New York when Monday's convention activities were pared down due to Tropical Storm Isaac.

Does that mean no more surprise?

"The big surprise is still going to happen, so stay tuned," promises Trump spokesman Michael Cohen.

GOP officials are playing along. Says convention planner Russ Schriefer: "Just because he isn't here, doesn't mean he's not going to show up.""

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/TRUMP-S-TEASE-3819100.php#ixzz24o4Ztexm

[Ignatz]

--I've contacted my source..--

I think we and WeeDavey have been miscommunicating.
When he says he's contacted his source we just assumed he meant his source of information.

[Threadkiller]

Newt Gingrich Obliterates Race-Baiter & Birther Chris Matthews At RNC Convention

http://youtu.be/ro7E_apft1I

Hat tip ORYR

[Thomas Collins]

Is Liz Cheney a scheduled speaker? If not, I'll pick her as my prediction for mystery guest.

It's got to be a prominent GOPer to avoid a letdown after the "mystery" build-up. And I think it's likely to be someone whom Team Romney perceives may appeal to persuadables yet won't be a disappointment to the base. Liz seems to fit the bill.

[Janet]

A montague of left wing kooks? Code Pink, OWSers,...O administration people praising communists - Van Jones, Anita Dunn,...
Ladies & gentlemen...The Opposition.

[narciso]

No, I never found her thus, Captain, then again, Iger, is now burning money in huge vats instead of Redstone now, so there's that.

[Ignatz]

TK,
Does your new found respect for Trump mean you don't think he combs his hair with a grapefruit anymore? :)

[Sue]

TC,

I don't agree that it has to be a prominent GOPer. It could be the former governor of Virginia who was seen at a Mitt Romney fundraising event.

[Threadkiller]

"TAMPA, Fla. – In rapid response to Mitt Romney’s joke to a crowd in his home state of Michigan, that “No one ever asked me for my birth certificate,” Barack Obama’s campaign put out a 15-second TV spot to declare, “America doesn’t need a birther-in-chief.”

I’ve finally found a point of agreement with Obama.

America certainly does not need a “birther-in-chief” – which is one of at least 2,012 reasons to dump Barack Obama from the White House on Election Day.

America already has a “birther-in-chief.” His name is Barack Obama.

Who started the controversy over his identity? He did. For at least 17 years he boasted in his literary biography of being born in Kenya. That claim was quietly withdrawn only in 2007 – less than a year before he declared his candidacy for the presidency. It was never repudiated or explained. His own wife referred to Kenya as his home country. His autobiography claims he is the offspring of two parents, neither of which could bestow upon him the constitutional requirement of “natural born citizenship.” When repeatedly asked for years into his presidency to produce his birth certificate, he released a document every expert who has looked at it agrees is fraudulent – including the one and only law enforcement investigation to examine the evidence.

No one else besides Barack Obama can claim credit for the title “birther-in-chief.” He owns it. He prompted the very term. He sustained it needlessly. And then he blames others for his own absolute unwillingness to provide the most rudimentary documentation of his eligibility for office.

I’m gratified Mitt Romney told that joke.

I’m only sorry he apologized for it later.

Because the Constitution is not a laughing matter – or it shouldn’t be."

http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2012/08/america-doesnt-need-birther-in-chief.html?m=1

[Threadkiller]

I now belive someone else does the combing for him.

Still with a grapefruit.

:-)

[Thomas Collins]

Hey, Sue, watch out about not agreeing with me. You see how on the mark I was about the Red Sox being 15 games better than the Rangers this year! :-))

[Sue]

TC,

The Rangers Rock!

[narciso]

The Url cache is wonky, lately, I don't think that Sarah would be the mystery guest, because that's not how the organizers think.

Ironically, she doesn't see herself in any special way, so she would be probably willing
to lend a hand, or in the parlance of the Mama Grizzly, a paw.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I've contacted my source and he says it's Sarah "I can see Russia from my house" Palin.

Well, damn. I would have liked to see Palin, but that pretty well eliminates her.

[Thomas Collins]

You've probably already checked the standings today, Sue, but I have LUNed them in the event you want to see again where the Rangers stand (best AL record and second in the Majors in positive run differential).

Which reminds me. Nolan Ryan would be a decent "mystery" speaker!

[Sue]

I have not checked them, TC. Thanks for the link. Nolan Ryan Express is rolling on...

[Granny Jan and Jihad Kitty]

Two-faced Charlie Christ, of course.

[Thomas Collins]

Dublindave, are you going to be the "mystery" Dem convention speaker? Or did you lose out to a representative of the "Say It Clear, Say It Loud, We Flash Our Vulvas and We're Proud" Club?

[Ranger]

Brace yourselves, I fear it could be Colin Powell.

[Sue]

I just hope we maintain home field advantage. We have a difficult time beating the Yankees at their stadium. And please, keep the White Sox as far away from us as possible. Like the Golden State Warriors were to the Dallas Mavericks, they have the Rangers number. We can't beat them for some reason.

[Captain Hate]

Well, damn. I would have liked to see Palin, but that pretty well eliminates her.

She still might introduce Vice Presidential pick Pawlenty.

[Sue]

Brace yourselves, I fear it could be Colin Powell.

Please...NOOOOOOOO....

[C.R.]

Nancy Reagan

[Ignatz]

I wonder if the Wry Cooter contingent is going to make an appearance at the convention of the party that tosses terrorists in Gitmo and says it can assassinate Americans abroad at will?

[Thomas Collins]

This is the Rangers' year Sue. Rangers over the Cardinals in 6 games in the WS.

[henry]

TC, want to remind Sue who has the best positive run differential (once again coasting to a sneaky wild card run).

[Hoo Bee]

"Wry Cooter"

Is that the mystery speaker?

[Hoo Bee]

"Wry Cooter"

Is that the mystery speaker?

I meant to add the beginning of Wry's speech: "Read my lips..."

[narciso]

Ed pours water or is it gasoline, over the thing;

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/08/28/a-mystery-speaker-for-thursday-night/

[centralcal]

Well, Limbaugh would be cool, too, narciso. Better than some of the guesses - Trump (blech), Powell (more blech), etc.

[Thomas Collins]

That's why I'm picking the Cards as the NL WS rep, henry. The Cards are having a solid season and, like the Rangers, have recent postseason experience. If the Cards don't catch the Reds, however, they will have the disadvantage of having to play that extra game this year against the other NL wild card team. But I think the Cards will overcome that.

In any event, I can enjoy Major League Baseball in September and October in a relaxed mode, since the Bosox won't be a factor (although Bosox take the "Salary Dump" title this year by far).

[Rocco]

I think it will be someone who can help win some votes. Palin voters are already supporting him. He's probably already locked up the military vote so I don't think it will be Petraeus. Sue could be on to something as Wilder could help with Dem vote. But I think he's courting the Uncle Ron vote so my guess is Ron Paul.

[henry]

TC, as long as I don't have to put up with the local press pumping another Brewers playoff fail, I'm relaxed and happy.

[Threadkiller]

A great suggestion from a comment on Hot Air.

George Obama

[narciso]

Does anyone even remember Wilder, he was a bfd, back in '89, but since then,

[jimmyk]

To hold someone back as a surprise, it ought to be someone who wouldn't have been on anyone's speaker list to begin with, except for Palin, who was conspicuously missing. I'd like it to be West, but I guess they don't want scenes of Peggy Noonan passing out shown on TV.

[JM Hanes]

Red Sox Nation!

[narciso]

And the downside to that, would be what exactly, Matthews would explode like in 'Scanners' so there is the cleanup bill to consider.

[Ranger]

I'm thinking Powell because there are two different focus group studies that say the "Dissapointed Obama Voter" ad is the most effective one with undecideds. Who would be the most prominent "Dissapointed Obama Voter" you could get on the national stage. He has the bonus effect of nulifying the race card for the rest of the campaign. And I think Powell just might do it, since the thing he craves most is influence. His shiv in the back to My Friends didn't pay off very well for him in that regard. And he is alway the one to be on the winning side, and it doesn't take a much to see that a president who can't get his poll numbers above 47% and can't bring in as much money as he did 4 years ago is in deep trouble.

[Janet]

Rush would be good.
If it's Powell, I'll be disgusted.

[C.R.]

Clarice makes a persuasive point on the last thread that it is odd how vague the explanations for Sarah's exclusion from the speakers list have been.

But there are so many that have a visceral dislike of her. Would they put her on so close to Romney?

Hrtshpdbox's suggestion is fun and it would make sense that you would have to keep that a surprise or it would be anticlimactic.

[Janet]

How bout Dennis Miller! A scathing hilarious rant to pump everyone up. Oh yeah!...great idea, Janet!

[Ignatz]

--...I guess they don't want scenes of Peggy Noonan passing out shown on TV.

Posted by: jimmyk | August 28, 2012 at 10:49 AM --

Well, they're the only ones.
That's about the only thing that could get me to watch.

[Threadkiller]

Great idea, Janet!

[Jim Ryan]

Imagine it being Levin.

LEVIN: ...That's right!! I said it!!

AUDIENCE: [FACEPALM]

By the way, wasn't Cooter a Dem congressman from Georgia? Ben Jones.

[dublindave]

Dublindave, are you going to be the "mystery" Dem convention speaker?

I am just a lowly internet troll embittered by the way his life has turned out. There's no place for me at the Democratic convention...... unless........ unless they want me to speak..... I'll need time to prepare my notes.

[NK]

OT- it's time to focus on EVs. here's a simple guide to the arithmatic. In simplist form, Fla, Va. and Ohio hold the keys to the Kingdom: http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/106519/early-electoral-college-guide-which-states-matter-which-states-dont

[GMAX]

The League of Women Voters is not nonpartisan and never has been. But now just like the Obamacare vote, they have unmasked themselves for the far lefties they have always been. Get a load of this:

The Minnesota supreme court decided yesterday that a referendum approved by the state legislature to amend the state constitution to require voter ID will also be on the ballot in November. The League of Women Voters had tried to convince the court that the people of Minnesota should not be allowed to decide this issue for themselves.

The court held that the petitioners were “not entitled to this unprecedented relief.” The League argued that the ballot question was “so unreasonable and misleading as to be a palpable evasion of the constitutional requirement to submit the law to a popular vote.” But the court rejected the claim that the difference between “valid government-issued photographic identification” and “valid photographic identification” was “unreasonable and misleading.”

The court also rejected the League’s contention that the ballot question was misleading because it says that “all voters” would be required to present ID when the amendment requires only those voting in person to do so. The court noted, however, that the referendum says absentee voters will be subject to “substantially equivalent identity and eligibility” requirements.

No word on whether the counsel for the plantiff made the oral arguments in red nose and oversized shoes as yet...

[Rick Ballard]

"That's about the only thing that could get me to watch."

Ignatz,

That's where my guessing would aim. I don't believe it will be a politician, it would make more sense to go with a celebrity of some sort to lift overall viewership.

[Melinda Romanoff]

GMax-

Open Mike Night.

[Jim Ryan]

narc I played a cocktail party (jazz) in 89 where Wilder and Patricia Kluge were flirting in the corner. Then her old man died. And then she lost all his money. And then the Donald bought her vineyard down here. Kluge wine is now Trump wine. Next thing I know Wilder is mayor of Richmond.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Rick-

Last name better not start with "K".

[Dave (in MA)]

Maybe it's Joe Biden.

[Clarice]

If it isn't Sarah, I hope it is Liz. With the Dem theme The War on Women, the mystery guest ought to be a woman who thumbs her nose at that idiocy.

[Ignatz]

--I am just a lowly internet troll embittered by the way his life has turned out.--

And you don't think that's the life story of every yokel that's going to be half filling their convention hall?
Just make sure you down a jeroboam or two of a fine Nebuchadnezzar vintage before you speak or you're liable to slur your words like you do here through your DT keyboard.

[GMAX]

New Tropical Storm update. 80 miles off shore at 10 AM and still not Hurricane force winds. Moving at 10 MPH means its comes ashore about 6 PM which is pretty close to low tide.

It appears that for all the hype, Isaac should be renamed Obama, as in much ado about almost nothing of real significance.

[jimmyk]

No, Obama's done much more damage, GMax.

[Clarice]

I really can't understand why any Rep would agree to go on MSNBC. Explain it to me, if you can.

[JM Hanes]

If "To Be Announced" is "buried deep in the convention schedule," so are Rubio & Romney. You do have to read all the way to the end of the program to find them, but, hey, a little mystery helps while away the time.

TBD was added between publishing the three day revisions and issuing the formal program, so I suspect they'll slide someone was originally scheduled to speak on Day #1 into that slot, unless Bobby Jindal can make it back to do the honors.

[Soylent Red]

It's Jane.

Or possibly Clint Eastwood.

[Mistca2012]

Five words: Ronald Reagan Tupac-esque "3D" Hologram!!!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/04/17/150820261/how-that-tupac-hologram-at-coachella-worked

[Jim Eagle]

TC,

What makes you think the Cards can overtake the Reds? They have the best record in baseball with their best player and perennial MVP candidate on IR for a month. When Votto comes back its "Katie-bar-the-door". And if you're a Red Sox fan you should be rooting for the Reds since they are the progenitor of the Red Sox (you know Harry and George Wright).

My guess for the surprise is Tim Tebow:)

[narciso]

If you make a good point, it's lost on these idiots, half the time they can't follow their own talking points, the Dems have Dalek like discipline, the facts don't get in the way.

[NK]

JimmyK-- absolutely right; no matter what Isaac does, it will be a fraction of the Trillions of damage Bam has caused. Obviously Isaac won't cause terrible wind damage to structures, but it's so slow moving the sustained winds could topple alot trees and put power out, and the storm surge could build up if the storm tracks WEST of NoLa. Landfall at low tide would be a big help.

[JM Hanes]

Clarice:

"I really can't understand why any Rep would agree to go on MSNBC. Explain it to me, if you can."

What's not to like about makin 'em look like idiots?

[Captain Hate]

They have the best record in baseball

Wrong; that would be the Nats.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Aw, jeez.

French prosecutors open a murder inquiry into 2004 death of Arafat.

Who's next, Franco?

[narciso]

I am cryptic, admittedly, but I do get to the point;

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/fish-politics-insect-politics.html#more

[rse]

GMax-they love to hype these things. You had to listen very carefully to hear the acknowledgment that the dry air in the SW quadrant was likely to prevent it regaining strength despite warm waters below.

When we stayed for dennis I was getting hysterical phone calls from watchers of the WC. We stayed because I high pressure system had wedged in place pushing storm to NW. It couldn't come north and we were going to have TS conditions plus the wave action of a hurricane from a high elevation. To this day my kids rank the experience on par with any trip we took in terms of fascination.

But my anger at the irresponsibility of the WC has never abated. They are a poor source for the definitive info.

[Clarice]

well, no one really watches them and when Rs go on and make them look like idiots, it only gives them more publicity and keeps them going. Chris Matthews needs some intervention--like a stay in a rehab outfit---and Andrea ought to retire. Her time is up and her sources too age addled to help her out by feeding her inside stuff.

[JM Hanes]

Ranger:

"[Powell] has the bonus effect of nulifying the race card for the rest of the campaign."

He's also the only last minute black addition to the roster who wouldn't be greeted by hysterical lefty cries of, "Racist Tonkenism," but I don't think he'd risk losing a big piece of his own vaunted position, both in black and liberal circles, where he's sitting in a comfy chair, by outright turning on Obama. He's worse than a RINO, and wouldn't bring any discernible constituency with him, so I don't think Team Romney would ask him, either.

[Jane - Get off the couch your country needs you!]

Soylent,

How do you know I'm not Clint Eastward - after all the last time we were together you were drinking...

If it isn't Sarah, I hope it is Liz.

I would love for it to be Liz and she is down there too.

[Ignatz]

--New Tropical Storm update. 80 miles off shore at 10 AM and still not Hurricane force winds. Moving at 10 MPH means its comes ashore about 6 PM which is pretty close to low tide.--

Looks like my prediction it would hit Texas instead were wrong, but don't fear; I am neither discouraged nor dissuaded.

If the internet isn't useful for making baseless, uninformed assertions then I'm not even sure what the purpose of it is.

[Thomas Collins]

I look at the run without Votto differently, JiB. I think the Reds are due for a "correction" even with Votto coming back. The Cards have shown a lot of resiliency in this decade. I don't necessarily think the Cards will overtake the Reds, but I think it will be close.

By the way, I don't like the 5 team playoff system. The top wild card team is often a better team than at least one of the division winners, and shouldn't have its playoff pitching rotation disrupted by an extra game (it would be even worse if MLB goes to a best of three for the wild card game).

[Captain Hate]

Do they ever not lie about anything? http://minx.cc/?post=332313

[Hoo Bee]

The mystery speaker should be a women who is wrapped head to toe in bandages and pushed out in a wheelchair claiming the Republican men backstage beat the sh*t out of her. The bandages get unwrapped from toe to head and its Palin firing a shotgun in the air!!!!

[NK]

No way it's Powell-- thank goodness for small favors.

[DebinNC]

Rev. Billy Graham

[Janet]

That's a good guess, Deb.

[narciso]

That's a rhetorical question, right? next thing will be zombie voters like that horrible
'edgy satire,' by Joe Dante.

[centralcal]

I have noticed that Peggy Noonan is now a Fox News contributor - when did that come about? (alas, I don't care WHY - no longer a fan of hers)

[NK]

Rev Graham? wonderful man-- but it's 2012 not 1972.

[Captain Hate]

Per what Clarice was saying, when Repubs go on MessNBC they run the risk of saying something dense like Christie did when he said about Romney's birth certificate comment "I think if he had to do it over again, he wouldn't make the joke."

WTF? It was a great joke that only the MSDNC hive mind is getting the vapours over. There's no need to ingratiate yourself to these simpletons.

[narciso]

You notice Pelosi or Reid never make these statements;

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/boehner-i-can-find-common-ground-president

[Clarice]

Just for info--not to draw nasty comments as deserved as they might be--Arlen Specter is gravely ill.http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/28/politics/arlen-specter-ill/index.html

[narciso]

That's a shame, of course the usual nazguls are in force, over there.