Donald Trump isn’t in a hurry to put his former competitors, Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. John Kasich, on the Republican National Convention speaking schedule. But if he intends on having any speakers in the RNC’s televised prime time segment, he might have to relent.
Speaking to the New York Times Sunday, Trump said that if Cruz and Kasich fail to wholeheartedly endorse him without restrictions, he doesn’t see a need to welcome them to the convention dais. According to Trump, the RNC is no place for the losers who couldn’t best him in the primary.
He may not have a choice, however, as both Cruz and Kasich received some delegates. That means, they’ll likely end up as part of the nomination process—and according to Republican rules, that guarantees them a speaking slot (though it doesn’t guarantee that speaking slot be televised, or that it will be in prime time).
And the way Trump’s list of speakers is RSVPing, he may have to hope that his Republican foes are willing to fill time slots on the convention roster. Of the 50 most prominent governors, senators and ranking House officials, only a handful are even planning on being at the convention, let alone speaking out in support of the nominee.
Rep. Mark Sanford, “young guns” leader Rep. Sean Duffy, Sens. Kelly Ayotte and Lindsey Graham, Sen. John Cornyn, Govs. Nikki Haley and Bruce Rauner, and even Sen. Trey Gowdy—the man literally leading the charge against HIllary Clinton—are all staying away.
As for Trump’s list of “winners” he plans on recruiting to replace the missing politicos, well, they’re not very interested either. Trump has said he’d prefer sports heroes, entertainers and businessmen to take the stage, but several of his top picks, including Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, have told media they’re taking a hard pass.
It’s no wonder his advisers are suggesting that Trump may speak every night of the convention. He might just be the only one.
