SENATOR TO SPEAK JUST PRIOR TO MCCAIN’S ACCEPTANCE

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s close friendship with GOP presidential nominee John McCain has just landed him a prime speaking gig at this year’s Republican National Convention.

The RNC today added a number of speakers for the four night event taking place next Monday through Thursday in St. Paul, Minn., and Graham was among those named. The U.S. Senator from Seneca will speak on the final night of the convention, just prior to the event’s culmination when McCain gives his highly-anticipated acceptance speech.

Graham joins a strong field of Thursday night speakers including Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist and Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty — both rumored to be potential vice presidential choices — U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Mel Martinez of Florida, and Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee.

Although times have not yet been announced, I’m told it is possible Graham could be scheduled during primetime, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. — especially if McCain selects Pawlenty or Crist as his running mate, which would bump them to Wednesday night’s featured spot.

Although Graham is the only South Carolinian with a speaking spot at the convention, Attorney General Henry McMaster will serve as the Chief Sergent at Arms for the week.

View the complete schedule of speakers after the jump:

Monday, Sept. 1
Service
“Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday’s events will highlight John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest.

Speakers will include:
President George W. Bush
Vice President Richard B. Cheney
First Lady Laura Bush
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)*
Gov. Rick Perry (Texas)*
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)*
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.)*
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)*
U.S. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)*
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah)*
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)*
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)*
U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.)*
U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (Va.)*
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (Ill.)*
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif)*
Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention*
Jo Ann Davidson, Chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention Committee on Arrangements*
Tommy Espinoza*
Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)*
Bill Gross*
Ashley Gunn*
Chris Hackett*
Doug Leatherdale*
Jay Love*
Cynthia Lummis*
Erik Paulsen*
Capt. Leslie Smith, U.S. Army (Ret.)*
Program participants will include:

Victoria Blackstone, Stars and Stripes Winner, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
Boy Scout Troop 738 of St Louis Park, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
“If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.

Speakers will include:
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.)*
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)*
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)*
U.S. Rep. Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)*
U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.)*
State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth (Calif.)*
Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
Chris Collins*
Carolyn Dunn*
Phil Hayes*
Lisa Keegan*
Ruth Novodor*
Dr. Elena Rios *
Shirley Sadler*
Joe Watkins*
Program participants will include:

Mary Leavitt will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
The VFW of Red Lake, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard
Rabbi Ira Flax will lead the convention in prayer
Dr. Robert Certain will lead the convention in prayer

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
“America’s best days are still to come.”
–Sen. John McCain

The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday’s program will focus on John McCain’s plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.

Speakers will include:
Mrs. Cindy McCain
Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee
Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas)*
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)*
Mayor Mick Cornett (Okla.)*
State Sen. Abel Maldonado (Calif.)*
Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
Renee Amoore*
Anne Beiler*
Jessica Colon*
Christy Swanson*
Raul “Danny” Vargas*
Program participants will include:

Sharon Clahchischillage will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
The Law Enforcement Memorial Association of Minnesota will serve as the Color Guard
Father Edward Reese will lead the convention in prayer
Rev. Eva Rodriguez will lead the convention in prayer

Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
“Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday’s events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States.
John McCain
Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)*
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)*
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (Okla.)*
Michael Williams, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission*
David Flaum*
Christopher Fussner*
Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)*
Charlie Smith*
Program participants will include:

The 934th Airlift Wing Air Force Reserves Joint Color Guard of Minn.
Pastor Dan Yeary will lead the convention in prayer
Archbishop Demetrios will lead the convention in prayer