What to watch at the GOP convention Tuesday
(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - After a very brief session on Monday, the Republican National Convention begins in earnest at 2 p.m. Eastern Time today. CBSNews.com will stream the convention live in its entirety.
The day's highlights, and estimated times:
Chris Christie's keynote, 10:30 p.m. ET: Earlier this year, the New Jersey governor and convention keynote speaker had to turn down countless questions about whether he was going to jump into the presidential race. It's easy to see why: Christie's appealingly straightforward style - and willingness to directly confront his detractors - has delighted conservatives across the nation. One big question: Will Christie's performance overshadow what is supposed to be the main event - Mitt Romney's acceptance speech on Thursday?
In convention speech, a test for Chris Christie
The Ron Paul factor, 6 p.m. ET: Republicans plan to hold their roll call vote to formally nominate Romney late this afternoon. The delegations to keep an eye on: Maine, Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa and Louisiana. Why? Because those are the states that sent a significant number of Ron Paul supporters to the convention, and those supporters have not ruled out some sort of disruption. Paul's campaign has called on the libertarian-leaning Congressman's supporters not to make a scene, but it appears that at least some of them don't plan on complying.
Defiant Ron Paul promises "revolution" will continue
Rain on the parade: As of this morning, Republicans planned to press ahead with their convention schedule. But while Tropical Storm Isaac looks like it isn't going to hit Tampa, it is barreling toward New Orleans -- and Republicans are worried about images of destruction showing up on split screens while convention speakers sell the GOP message. If Isaac hits with significant force - right around the seven year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, no less - Republicans could cancel or shorten the program.
Isaac could still wreck GOP convention
Ann Romney, the humanizer, 10 p.m. ET: Mitt Romney has struggled to connect with voters so far, and he appears to have accepted that may not change. "I am who I am," Romney said Monday in making the case the competence trumps likeability as a presidential qualification. That leaves much of the work in connecting to voters to Romney's wife Ann, who has battled both multiple sclerosis and breast cancer. Ann Romney will seek to help bring women, who favor President Obama, to the GOP side and also make the case that Romney is a more comfortable, genial man in private than he appears in public.
Can Ann Romney make Mitt loveable?
It's a big tent. Really.: Republicans are featuring a host of speakers Tuesday designed to show voters that their party is more diverse than critics claim. Among those taking the convention stage will be Saratoga Springs mayor Mia Love, who would be the first black, female Republican if elected to Congress in November (7:15 p.m. ET); Ted Cruz, the Tea Party-backed Texas Senate candidate who many see as the next Marco Rubio (9:30 p.m. ET); Artur Davis, the African-American former rising Democratic star from Alabama (9:40 p.m. ET); South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, whose parents are immigrants from India (9:50 p.m. ET); and Luce Vela Fortuno, wife of Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuno, who will introduce Ann Romney.
At GOP push for unity, plenty of difference
The provocateurs: Among Tuesday's speakers will be Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who became a villain on the left when he pushed through a bill to curb public-sector union collective bargaining rights. Keep an eye on whether Walker tries to fire up the convention-hall faithful - or if he strikes a conciliatory tone (8:50 p.m. ET). Also speaking Tuesday is Rick Santorum, a harsh critic of Romney during the GOP primary who stopped short of a full-throated endorsement after he left the race. Will Santorum fall in line behind the formerly moderate Massachusetts governor, or, with an eye on his social conservative following, keep his distance (7:40 p.m. ET)?
You can see all the speeches on CBSNews.com, and be sure to check out our web shows from the convention floor at 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET as well as CBS News' televised coverage at 10 p.m. ET.
Full Tuesday schedule below:
2:00 p.m.
Chairman of the RNC Reince Priebus
Color Guard Knights of Columbus
Pledge of Allegiance by Former Governor Tim Babcock (MT)/ Tom Hogan (FL)
National Anthem sung by Philip Alongi
Invocation by Rabbi Meir Soloveichik
Opening procedural steps, appointment of convention committees
Welcoming remarks, and House and Senate candidates and RNC auxiliaries
RNC Chairman Priebus
RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris
Chairman of Tampa Bay Host Committee Al Austin
Republican Congressional Candidates
State Delegate Barbara Comstock (VA)
Representative Tim Griffin (AR)
Republican Senate Candidates
Republican National Committee auxiliaries
Consideration of convention committee reports
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
Committee on Credentials Chairman Mike Duncan
Committee on Permanent Organization Chairwoman Zoraida Fonalledas Convention Permanent Chairman Speaker John Boehner, Presiding Official Convention Photograph
Committee on Rules Chairman John Sununu
Committee on Resolutions Chairman Governor Bob McDonnell
Committee on Resolutions Co-Chairman U.S. Senator John Hoeven
Committee on Resolutions Co-Chairman U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn
5:10 p.m. - Roll Call for Nomination of President of the United States
6:25 p.m. - Motion to select Vice President by Acclamation
6:30 p.m. - Recess
7:00 p.m. Reconvene
7:15 p.m. - Remarks by Speaker John Boehner
7:20 p.m. - Remarks by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
7:35 p.m. - Video and remarks by Mayor Mia Love (Saratoga Springs, UT), U.S. congressional candidate
7:40 p.m. - Remarks by Janine Turner
7:50 p.m. - Remarks by Sher Valenzuela (small business owner, candidate for DE Lt. Governor)
8:00 p.m. - Remarks by Host, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
8:05 p.m. - Remarks by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH), accompanied by Jack Gilchrist
8:15 p.m. - Remarks by Governor John Kasich (OH)
8:30 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Mary Fallin (OK)
8:40 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Bob McDonnell (VA), accompanied by Bev Gray
8:50 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Scott Walker (WI)
9:00 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Brian Sandoval (NV)
9:15 p.m. - Remarks by former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
9:30 p.m. - Remarks by Senate Republican Candidate Ted Cruz (TX)
9:40 p.m. - Remarks by Artur Davis
9:50 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Nikki Haley (SC)
10:00 p.m. - Remarks by Mrs. Luce' Vela Fortuno
10:05 p.m. - Remarks by Mrs. Ann Romney
10:30 p.m. - Remarks by Governor Chris Christie (NJ)
Benediction by Sammy Rodriguez
Adjournment