August 27, 2012
NewsOK.com
By Chris Casteel

TAMPA, Fla. — Republican leaders Sunday scheduled Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett for their Tuesday afternoon program as they reshuffled speakers to make up for a day lost to Tropical Storm Isaac.

Cornett now is scheduled to speak Tuesday about 3:15 p.m. Central Daylight Time.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin's prime-time slot Tuesday was retained. She now will speak third in a segment of Republican governors that begins at 7 p.m. central time.

The mayor had been scheduled to speak Monday, the first day of the convention, but Republicans canceled most of the day's events to protect delegates and others attending the convention from expected heavy rain and high winds.

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell said Sunday night, “I'd like to congratulate Mayor Cornett on being selected as a speaker at the Republican National Convention.

“This is a reminder that we are blessed to have nationally recognized conservative leadership at every level of Oklahoma government. Our delegation will be proud to cheer on Oklahoma City's mayor as he addresses the convention.”

Cornett is president of a national organization representing Republican mayors.

In a news release, Cornett said, “This election represents a critical opportunity to return our nation to economic and financial stability, and that's why I am proud to have the opportunity to address the Republican Convention as it nominates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

“And besides, Paul Ryan married an Oklahoma girl in downtown Oklahoma City. You can't do better than that.”

Ryan, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin who is the Republican vice presidential candidate, is married to Oklahoma native Janna Little Ryan. They were married in Oklahoma City.

Cornett was bumped from the Republican National Convention program in 2008 in Minneapolis when the party canceled the first day's session out of deference for those in the path of Hurricane Gustav.

The three remaining nightly sessions this week will begin earlier, speeches will be shorter and some programming has been cut to accommodate the speakers moved from Monday, a Romney campaign adviser told reporters Sunday.

The worst of the tropical storm is expected to hit the Tampa area Monday, and delegates have been told to stay in their hotels because of concerns about high winds and possible flooding.

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