GOP strives for diversity in convention lineup

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(CBS News) The Republican National Convention isn't just a chance for Republicans to try to rally voters around their presidential ticket and down-ballot candidates. It's also an opportunity to portray their party as an inclusive one that welcomes all different types of Americans.

According to a Gallup survey last year, the GOP is more white and slightly more male than the population at large. The survey of adults found that 53 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaners are male, compared to 49 percent of adults at large. It also found that 87 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaners are white, compared to 72 percent of the adult population overall. Hispanics were found to make up 13 percent of the adult population compared to 7 percent of the GOP, while African-Americans were 11 percent of the adult population compared to 3 percent of the GOP.

Polls show that President Obama has an advantage over Mitt Romney among both women and minority groups. The latest Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll of battleground states found that the president leads by 12 percentage points among female voters in Florida, by 13 points in Ohio and by 9 points in Wisconsin. Polls also show the president holds a wide lead among minority voters, including Hispanics, a growing voting bloc that Romney has acknowledged the Republican Party needs to win over. If the party does not, he was overheard saying at an April fundraiser, it "spells doom for us."

Republicans have thus far announced 72 speakers for their convention in Tampa. Forty-three of those speakers - 59.7 percent - are white men. Nine of the speakers, or 12.5 percent, are Hispanic. Five of them, or 6.9 percent, are African-American. Only 27.7 percent of the speakers are women.

There are two Indian-Americans on the list, Governors Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, as well as at least one mixed-race American: California congressional candidate Ricky Gill, whose parents are immigrants from India and Uganda.

Among the groups that do not appear to be represented on the current convention speakers list: Asian-Americans, Muslims, and openly gay Americans. Asian-Americans represented 5.8 percent of the U.S. population in 2011.

Some of the speakers will be appearing during the day - when most Americans will not be watching - and some are playing relatively minor roles, such as offering a benediction. So it makes sense to look at which speakers the party has decided to put forth in prominent slots during the four evenings that the convention is set to take place. (Some of the speakers have not been scheduled; this calculation is based on the schedule as it now stands.)

This list has more minorities and women on it than the speakers list overall. Of the 41 speakers, 22 are white men - that's 53.7 percent - and 14 are women, at 34.1 percent. The list includes seven Hispanics (17.1 percent) and four African-Americans (9.76 percent), as well as both Indian-Americans.

The prime-time speakers list includes Utah's Mia Love, who would be the first black, female Republican in Congress if elected. It also features four of the most prominent Hispanic Republicans in American politics: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz.

CBSNews.com will break down the speakers at the Democratic National Convention once more names are released. Democrats have thus far announced 21 speakers (not including the president and vice president), 12 of whom are women. The party has made clear that its selection of speakers is designed to appeal to female voters as part of a strategy to portray Republicans as hostile to women, particularly on health issues. Democrats announced 10 female speakers on Wednesday, including Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke and NARAL Pro-Choice America president Nancy Keenan.

"This convention will define the election as a choice between two very different paths for our nation, particularly when it comes to the health and economic security of women and middle-class families," DNC spokeswoman Melanie Roussell told CBS News concerning the Wednesday announcement. "The speakers announced today were chosen because they can personally define that choice."

Editor's note: A reference to some of the speakers scheduled for Monday was changed after the convention organizers announced that Monday's session was canceled due to Hurricane Isaac.

[RollotheNorman]

Hey, I hope Herman Cain is going to be there. Still pitching 9-9-9 and soothing over old wounds. And probably putting the make on the women speakers.

[tafhdyd]

by ad_iudicium August 24, 2012 4:21 PM EDT
I hear they're even trying to recruit some morons. You wanna join?

They have a mormon that will be the featured show. Oh, I just read it again. You said moron not mormon. Oh well, he has that covered also.

[RollotheNorman]

You're right, Willard and Ryan represent the morons.

[tafhdyd]

At least they have almost 60% old white racists to keep control of the event. They would want to take a chance on diversity getting a foothold.

[tafhdyd]

tb91006.....

Thanks for the info. I will pass it on to my republican friends that can use it.

[web6242a]

I challenge everyone and anyone --- Simply watch the Republican convention and notice the audience demographic --- I assure you the crowd will be mostly over 35 and white --- It will be 98% white and 2% all other minorities --- The GOP is certainly not a big tent. I was shocked during Mccain's run to see the lack of diversity the Republicans have. besides a few token Black's, Orientals and Hispanics -- What a joke!!!!

[cleansweeper2]

I wonder how many times Ron Pauls name will be shouted

[Fareed17]

The GOP has shown they have no problem in "staging" events. They have provided us in the past with rent-a-mob Tea Party shouter and spitters, bused in a negro cheering section for Willard's 2 minute appearance at the NAACP convention, touted Marco Rubio as the vp shoo in, only to have him disappear and be placed on call, Ron Paul has been banned all together from the GOP convention, all other primary contenders are regulated to the back lot, away from any microphones and cameras.
So now they have two Indian Americans but no Native American Indians? 28% women when they are 50% of our mothers, sisters daughters and aunts? With the Todd Akin "legitimate rape" revelation, I wonder how much it cost them to get the few they have. All of which along with the token Hispanics and African Americans will have minor roles, and wont be on prime time. Not to worry, the hurricane rain out will be fun to watch. I also heard there may be a cameo appearance of the Lubbock Texas "Obama reelection civil war" judge Whack Job, to explain his rational. Stay tuned in, don't touch that dial.

[tafhdyd]

No complaint with your post but wouldn't our mothers, sisters, etc. be 100% women?

[maxiect]

If these nut jobs get a hold of power the result will be: marginalization of gays, sending women back to alleys to get abortions, blacks will be put back in their place, the poor will get blamed for America's decline, white rich protestants will be telling all of us how to live by their rules. Finally, you will see a cross on top of our capitol building, freedom will be what others will tell you to do, you are free to breathe air and pay for their lavish lifestyles. I for one will not allow this to happen. The US will end up split with the east/west coasts joining Canada along with a few other states that are not full of religious nut jobs. I will take Canada any day.

[1988JAck]

LOL - diversity between the old white male and young white male? Or is it the super rich and filthy rich? Or corporate CEO and CFO?

[TimeToEvolve]

Talk about an oxymoron, Republicon and diversity in the same sentence. The author must not be a native American speaker.

How many times do the Cons have to show America and the world that all they care about is rich white men? Women and children, minorities, seniors, the middle class and the poor can all go jump off a bridge.

[maxiect]

well put for sure!

[cntrygirl3]

I am surprised they could actually get that many women. I am a little surprised there are no asian americans. Republican gay or Muslim, aint gonna happen no way no how. Remember the gay republican group a few years back, W. returned their campaign contribution. I assume they finally just gave up. This is the party of the "stale, male and pale" and because of this they are slowly dying, and now we find out they can't even rape women to have babies.

[parrot2-2009]

yea - the Log-Cabin Repugs - wonder whatever happened to those dumb dumb fools ??

[unclebernies]

The party of smoke and mirrors will show everyone how diverse they are. After the convention it's back to race baiting and hatred.

[cubscout09]

Brian Montopoli, Bobby Jindal is the son of immigrants from India, not, Native Americans. I guess, you could consider Asian Americans to be represented at the convention.

Who brought up all of this hyphenated race stuff up, anyway???