It appears that the GOP convention will feature a lot of Republican governors as speakers. This is in keeping with Romney's campaign which is selling the candidate as a competent, experienced leader willing to deal with the other side to solve our problems.

But I will guarantee you it won't sell with a lot of the conservative base.

Tampa Bay Times:

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Sen. John McCain and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are among seven headline speakers announced today for the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

The first look at featured speakers also includes South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.

The keynote speaker and others will be named closer to the Aug. 27-30 event, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said in announcing the headliners, whom he called "some of our party's brightest stars, who have governed and led effectively and admirably in their respective roles."

"Ours will be a world-class convention, worthy of the next president of the United States, and these speakers -- and those that will be announced later -- will help make it a truly memorable and momentous event," Priebus said.

The RNC did not say what day or time any of the headliners would appear at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, where former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will officially become the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

Romney has not named his vice presidential running mate, though that person will get a prime-time speaking slot. Noticeably absent from the headliner list are several VP contenders: former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Also absent -- Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin, and anyone the base would consider a strong conservative. And, there will apparently be no Ron Paul appearance, which disrespects the two ends of the GOP.

Romney wants to play it right down the middle, which may anger some Republicans, but it is where he is most comfortable and feels he has the best chance to win. And no strong partisans means a rather boring convention -- even more boring than usual.