Every national party convention resembles a sprawling family reunion, but a question looming over the Republican conclave next month in Tampa
recalls those get-togethers with Uncle Eddie and the rest in one
particular way: how to manage the eccentric cousins who want their turn
at the mic?
The point of the event is to formally nominate Mitt Romney
and give his candidacy a head of steam going into the fall campaign.
But to do that, Republicans must make sure that they don’t
unintentionally give Democrats red meat by showcasing members of their
coalition that could make swing voters recoil.
Consider the bold-faced names who could rate, or at
least covet, a speaking slot in Tampa: George W. Bush, Dick Cheney,
Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and
Ron Paul.
