Putting embattled candidates on the stage is also a good thing for presidential nominee Mitt Romney for a number of reasons.
“It tells us that these candidates don’t fear being associated with Romney,” Hazelwood said. “They are feeling good vibes at home about the Romney campaign and ticket. It makes it easier for the party with everyone rowing in the same direction with head held high.”
Given the negative attention being paid to Democratic candidates opting to skip their party’s convention, the show of solidarity is a good thing.
“It also may suggests that Romney — a successful manager and leader — believes he will have difficulty accomplishing anything in D.C. without a team that supports his principles and vision,” Warren said. “For example, it will be very difficult for a Romney administration to get our deficits and national debt under control without Republican majorities in Senate and House.”
On a purely logistical level, Grayson said, it’s a useful way to fill the speaking spots outside of prime time that bigger names might find less desirable.
“It’s also a chance for the party and the nominee to help spotlight these candidates. ‘This is our future. We need them in Congress.’ That sort of thing,” he said. “It’s a good way to fill out the convention agenda, especially because the candidate speakers are appreciative of the speaking opportunity. They don’t care that it’s not prime time.”
The Romney campaign referred questions to the convention.
“We are very excited about the lineup of candidates speaking at the convention,” said convention press secretary Kyle Downey.
