Pawlenty snags speaking spot at the RNC

After being passed over for a spot on the ticket, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been given a top speaking slot at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa next week.

Pawlenty, who was among Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's top choices for vice president, will be giving an address Wednesday, August 29 some time after 7:30 p.m.

He's wedged between Arizona Sen. John McCain, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who was also a top VP contender, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan will be giving the keynote speech that evening, according to the RNC's schedule.

That night's theme will be "We Can Change It," according to an RNC press release.

"We want to remind Americans that we don't have to settle for four more years of high unemployment, low pay and deep debt," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said. "We will devote Wednesday night to showing the country that Mitt Romney's 'Plan for a Stronger Middle Class' will restore our country as the best place in the world to find a job, start a business or hire a worker."

The presidential nominee typically speaks the last night of the convention.

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