Newt, Mitt to tag-team Texas GOP convention

Texas Republicans are boasting that two national figures, former U.S. Speaker New Gingrich and failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney, will address their state convention in Houston next month.

Democrats, meanwhile, are holding out hope that either or both of the two remaining presidential candidates will attend their Texas gathering in Austin.

"We've extended invitations to both Sen. (Barack) Obama and Sen. (Hillary) Clinton and we're waiting to hear back from them," said Hector Nieto, the spokesman for the Texas Democrats.

GOP spokesman Hans Klingler said that Gingrich (top photo) will address the party's general assembly on June 13, the second day of the three-day event.

Romney (bottom photo), the former Massachusetts governor who many say is angling for second place on the ticket with Arizona Sen. John McCain, will be the featured speaker at the banquet later the same day.

Obama, now considered the likely nominee for the Democrats, hasn't firmed up his schedule for early June, his camp said. The Texas Democratic convention starts June 5, just two days after the final round of primaries ends.

"Right now, it's looking unlikely that he'll attend," said Josh Earnest, a spokesman for the Illinois senator.

Clinton confidante Garry Mauro, a former Texas land commissioner, said he expects the New York senator and former first lady to at least be represented at the state convention.

"I'd be shocked if Sen. Clinton or President Clinton either one didn't come to Texas," Mauro said.

-- John Moritz

Comments

[david calvert weatherford]

Please! Spare us!!

DRC

[BlueElvis]

Didn't then Speaker Newt cheat on his wife who was dying of cancer, with his secretary while the whole Clinton impeachment thing was going on? Nice.

[Red Texan]

I cannot believe the RPT can only bring us the morally challenged Gingrich and the failed Morman candidate (in the era of the FLDS scandal, no less) who was never popular with anyone in Texas but big business & big money. The moneyed interests who supported Mitt won't even be at the dinner to hear him. Everyone else will be wondering if Tina and Hans and the rest have lost their collective minds. What, you mean Perry couldn't get Rudy to come, too?