Noticeably missing on Donald Trump's eclectic collection of convention speakers is one of his earliest supporters and darling of grassroots conservatives, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
According to
The New York Times, which reports it obtained a partial list of the speakers-lineup, Palin was not listed to appear on any of the four nights during next week's Republican convention in Cleveland.
Instead, the cast of speakers is aimed to extend Trump's demographic reach, the Times notes, with high-profile GOP women like Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, space shuttle commander Eileen Collins, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst — and Trump's wife, Melania.
Also on the lineup, African-American father Jamiel Shaw Sr., who became an outspoken advocate for tougher immigration laws after his son was killed in 2008 by an illegal immigrant; and Darryl Glenn, who's running for Senate in Colorado.
From the sports world, conservative Tim Tebow, the former quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner will be speaking, as will Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, while business moguls Peter Thiel, the Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and Thomas Barrack Jr., a private-equity real estate investor, also have been tapped.
Politicians include those out of office for awhile, like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and newcomers like Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, the Times reports.
"But what is striking, as much as who is on the list, is who is not," the Times reports, and that includes Palin, the party's 2008 vice presidential nominee and an
early backer of Trump.
There was no public comment from her Thursday on either her
Facebook page.
Also intriguing is the lack of a scheduled speaking slot for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — on
Trump's short list of possible running mates.
The absence has some speculating Pence may be Trump's selection for the No. 2 spot on the ticket. Both Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christi have speaking assignments, according to The Associated Press.
Trump will announce his vice presidential pick on Friday.
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