The convention's notable speakers
Personal ambition is almost always an element of convention speakers' agendas, as this is also an opportunity for them to further their own political careers with the eyes of a nation watching them.
We have taken a look at who the prominent speakers are, the possible themes of their speeches and the reasons why they were chosen.
CBS News' look at the convention's notable speakers begins on the next page.
The convention's notable speakers
Former Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida
Who:
Bush is the former governor of Florida and is the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush. Despite his insistence against it, his name was floated as a possible presidential candidate this election year and as a possible running mate for Mitt Romney. Although he endorsed Romney, he differs from the candidate and the Republican Party sharply on the issue of immigration, and encourages the Republican Party to adopt a softer tone and move away from backing Arizona's immigration law.
Why:
Bush is popular in the state of Florida, popular among Republican Latinos and has national name recognition. He also appeals to the more moderate component of the Republican Party.
Role:
Bush has been given a key speaking slot on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. ET, the night Romney delivers his acceptance speech. He was originally scheduled for Monday, before convention organizers canceled the first night due to Tropical Storm Isaac.
The convention's notable speakers
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas
Who:
Huckabee ran for the Republican nomination in 2008 appealing to religious conservatives. He has been back in the news lately as he organized the Chick-fil-A "appreciation day" after boycotts were announced opposing the fast-food chain's owners' opposition to same-sex marriage. He also came out in strong support of embattled Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., who said "forcible rape" rarely leads to pregnancy. As a Southern Baptist Minister, Huckabee has been one of Akin's most vocal supporters, sharply criticizing party leaders and helping bring together the religious right to back Akin's candidacy. It's a position that differs from Romney, however, who has suggested Akin drop out of the Missouri Senate race.
Why:
Huckabee is popular among the religious and evangelical component of the Republican Party. His Fox News show and daily radio show have helped to maintain his visibility since his presidential run, and his participation at Romney's convention will help to bring those skeptical of Romney's commitment against anti-abortion, gay marriage and other social issues in line.
Role:
Huckabee will speak in prime time on Wednesday, just before the 10 p.m. hour when the broadcast networks will begin their live coverage. He was originally scheduled for Monday night before Isaac prompted the cancellation of the first night of the convention. His speech is likely to go heavy on conservative social values and it will be interesting to see how he handles the Akin and abortion issues (the GOP platform to be ratified this week again does not include an abortion exception in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is in danger), especially after his harsh criticism of how party leaders have dealt with Akin.
The convention's notable speakers
Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky
Who:
Paul is the son of Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, whose ideas of limited government helped to launch the Tea Party movement. During his first two years in the Senate, the younger Paul has espoused similar principles.
Why:
Ron Paul, who's been reluctant to concede his delegates to Mitt Romney, will be feted with a video tribute but won't be speaking at the convention. His son appeals to the same base and by giving him a speaking slot, it's seen as another sign of cooperation with the Paul faction of the party.
Role:
Rand Paul will speak Wednesday in the 7 p.m. ET hour (he was originally scheduled for Monday night) where he is expected to talk about his two signature topics: Debt and the size of government.
"I believe Governor Romney would help our country start a new path, where job creators are encouraged not punished, and where the size and scope of government are brought under control," Paul said in a statement.
The convention's notable speakers
Former Rep. Artur Davis, D-Alabama
Who:
Rep. Davis was an early supporter of Barack Obama in 2008, but after he retired from the House of Representatives and lost his election for Alabama governor, Davis changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican this year.
Why:
Davis is relatively unknown to a broader audience, but as an African-American who no longer supports President Obama, his disenchantment with the Democratic Party will likely be on full display at the Republican convention.
Role:
Davis will speak Tuesday in the 9 p.m. ET hour (he was originally scheduled for Monday). He will likely be used to showcase Republicans' criticisms of the Democrats' handling of the economy.
"We were promised jobs and we got job-killing mandates and regulations. We were promised a fiscally responsible government, and we got trillion dollar deficits, debt that has never been seen, and small business burdened with new taxes, and threatened with more taxes," Davis said.
The convention's notable speakers
Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz
Who:
Tea Party-backed Ted Cruz won the GOP nod for Texas' open U.S. Senate seat, defeating Gov. Rick Perry's party-backed lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst. Cruz served as Texas' solicitor general and is a newcomer to the political scene having never held elected office.
Why:
Cruz framed his Republican primary opponent as wishy-washy on his principles, a criticism that's been thrown at Romney. Cruz's speech will help to convince those skeptical of Romney, especially among Cruz's Tea Party supporters, to enthusiastically back him.
Role:
Cruz will speak Tuesday in prime time, a key speaking slot for a politician without experience on the national stage. He speaks under the theme "we can do better."
"We can restore the U.S. Constitution and rein in out-of-control spending with new leadership in Washington," Cruz said in a party-issued press release. "I predict that we will see a new level of energy and commitment to reform at the Republican National Convention as we unite behind Governor Mitt Romney."
The convention's notable speakers
Ann Romney
Who:
Mitt Romney and his wife Ann have been married for more than 40 years. While she was dating Romney she converted to his faith, Mormonism. Once married she stayed home to raise five boys and has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She has credited the sport of dressage, which her horse Rafalca competed in the 2012 Olympics, for helping her deal with the disease.
Why:
Ann Romney's outgoing personality stands in contrast to her husband's widely-perceived stiffness. She easily talks about components of her personal life, her family and her values. She brings a softer side to the presidential candidate that brings with it likability.
Role:
Because of the threat of Isaac and the fact that the broadcast networks aren't covering Monday's convention proceedings in prime time, Romney's speaking role was moved from Monday night to Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. She will help to introduce Mitt Romney's personal side and biography to a national audience. As a woman who devoted herself to her family, she will likely play a large role in her husband's effort to appeal to women voters.
The convention's notable speakers
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire
Who:
First-term New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, like several others on the convention speaking list, was reportedly on Mitt Romney's list of possible running mates.
Why:
She hails from a battleground state and was an early Romney supporter; she endorsed him last November, backing him when more than a half dozen other candidates vied for the Republican nomination. She been a popular surrogate, taking to the campaign trail while he was on his overseas trip; she joined Romney for a Fourth of July parade during his vacation at his lake house in New Hampshire and she campaigned for him on one of his bus tours earlier this summer.
Role:
In a recent editorial in the Union Leader newspaper, she said of Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, "Together, they will be America's Comeback Team."
Ayotte is scheduled to speak Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET.
"Our country is facing great challenges, and the nomination of Mitt Romney to be our next president at the Republican National Convention will be a critical step for us to begin cleaning up the mess in Washington," Ayotte said in a statement posted on the Republican convention website.
The convention's notable speakers
Gov. Bob McDonnell, Virginia
Who:
The governor of Virginia was elected in 2009 and ran a campaign focused on the economy and the state's transportation issues. He has a well-documented history of conservative social views and, as governor, he signed a controversial law requiring women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound first. McDonnell was an early supporter of Romney and was considered a contender to be Romney's running mate.
Why:
McDonnell will likely avoid discussing his controversial abortion law, but he is a conservative governor who hails from a key swing state that Obama won in 2008 - the first time a Democrat had won Virginia since Lyndon Johnson won it in 1964.
Role:
McDonnell will speak Tuesday in the 8 p.m. ET hour. According to his spokesperson, McDonnell will talk about the "very different visions and records of the two parties when it comes to jobs and the economy."
The convention's notable speakers
Gov. Chris Christie, New Jersey
Who:
Elected in 2009, Gov. Christie is the first Republican elected to lead New Jersey in 12 years. Born in Newark, the bombastic leader was urged by some Republicans to run for president this year, but he opted to stay out of the race. Christie endorsed Romney in October and has been a consistent surrogate throughout the campaign. Christie was also thought to be a possible running mate for Romney.
Why:
Gov. Christie is not only popular among national Republicans, he can excite a crowd with his blunt-talking, high-energy speeches.
Role:
Christie is to give the keynote speech on Tuesday night, immediately following Ann Romney in the 10 p.m. ET hour. It's a prime speaking role as the broadcast networks will cover Christie's speech live.
The convention's notable speakers
Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin
Who:
After his highly controversial budget-cutting measures that cut benefits of some state union workers, Gov. Walker survived a contentious recall election earlier this year. Since his win, the first-term governor has repeatedly and publicly advised Romney that he cannot just make the election a referendum against President Obama but must have a stronger, more principled platform in order to win.
Why:
His politically risky budget moves and his subsequent survival of a recall has made Walker very popular among the Republican base. Also, there's the hope that another nod to Wisconsin could boost Romney there as the state has become an important part of the electoral vote puzzle for Romney, especially after selecting Wisconsin's Paul Ryan as his running mate.
Role:
Walker will speak Tuesday in prime time, along with a host of other Republican governors. Based on a statement released by Republican convention planners, his speech could highlight his policies in Wisconsin and could echo the mantra of reform he's been repeating in recent months.
"The American people are demanding bold reform and we need to put a leader in the White House who will fight to turn our country around," Walker said.
The convention's notable speakers
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania
Who:
The former Pennsylvania senator exited the Republican presidential race on April 10 after a better-than-expected showing against Mitt Romney, who was much better funded. Santorum represented the state of Pennsylvania in Congress for 15 years, which included two terms in the Senate, until he lost his reelection bid by nearly 18 points in 2006.
Why:
For the most part, Santorum has backed Romney since he clinched the nomination but during the primaries, he criticized the Republican candidate's business record and conservative values. Santorum's speaking role is an effort to unify the Republican Party, especially among skeptical conservative voters, heading into the general election.
Role:
Santorum will speak Tuesday evening in the 7 p.m. ET hour.
The convention's notable speakers
Sen. Rob Portman, Ohio
Who:
Portman has had a long career in politics, steeped in economics, and he was being widely touted publicly and privately by Republicans as a top contender for the number two slot. He served in the House of Representatives, as President George W. Bush's budget director, as U.S. Trade Representative and, most recently, in the Senate, where he was elected in 2010.
Why:
Portman comes from the battleground state of Ohio, which is virtually a must-win state for Romney to win the election. His economic experience and knowledge will fit in nicely with Romney's broader theme of jobs and the economy.
Role:
Portman is to deliver his speech Wednesday night in prime time.
The convention's notable speakers
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Who:
President George W. Bush's Secretary of State received high praise after delivering a rousing speech at a Romney-organized gathering of his supporters earlier this year. Rice's name was soon floated as a possible vice presidential choice despite her insistence that she was not interested.
Why:
Rice is no longer in the daily public sphere, but she is one of the party's elder stateswomen and as someone who can speak first-hand about foreign policy. Also, as an African-American woman, she represents the diversity that the Republican Party seeks to showcase during the convention.
Role:
Rice has a prominent role, speaking Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET, before vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan delivers his acceptance speech. As the one of the opening acts for Ryan, she will be highlighted on prime time television and will have the task of energizing the crowd before Ryan's much-anticipated speech.
The convention's notable speakers
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida
Who:
The freshman senator was elected to the Senate in 2010 with support from the conservative Tea Party wing of the party. The son of Cuban-American immigrants, he, too, was considered a top contender for Romney's running mate.
Why:
Not only a rising star in the Republican Party, Rubio is a prominent Hispanic, a group Romney is struggling to appeal to but hopes to make inroads with this election. Romney took a hard-right stance on immigration during the primary, backing the concept of self-deportation, but he has largely avoided the issue after clinching the nomination and elevating the role of prominent Hispanics, including Rubio.
Role:
Other than Romney, obviously, Rubio will have one of the most prominent roles at the convention. He will set the stage for the main act, Romney, by introducing the Republican candidate Thursday night at 10 p.m. ET.