Local News

The Seattle Times political team explores national, state and local politics.

TAMPA, Fla. — The cancellation of the first day of the Republican National Convention had put in jeopardy U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers time in the spotlight as a convention speaker.

But it looks like McMorris Rodgers, the Spokane Republican, will still get her time on stage. She’s been named “host” of the convention, meaning she’ll speak briefly at the start of every evening’s session.

“She’ll be setting the scene for the night. Laying out what the message will be,” said Todd Winer, a spokesman for McMorris Rodgers, who characterized the change as a “promotion.”

Winer said McMorris Rodgers will speak for three to five minutes each night. Her earlier scheduled speech on Monday had been expected to last about seven minutes, he said.

Of course, that’s still subject to change, with continued speculation over whether Tropical Storm Isaac will cut short the GOP convention schedule. The storm will effectively miss Tampa, but could wreak havoc on other parts of the Gulf Coast, including New Orleans.

McMorris Rodgers has received increasing attention as a spokesperson for the Republicans on women’s and economic issues. She chairs Mitt Romney’s campaign in Washington state and was named his U.S. House liaison.