Wednesday in politics: Ryan gives acceptance speech, and more

This is Paul Ryan day at the Republican National Convention.

Ryan and Mitt Romney were nominated in Tuesday roll calls, and Ryan will headline the convention agenda Wednesday evening with his acceptance speech. He's certain to talk about Medicare and debt and cost-cutting, but he also will signal why he is suited to be one-step away from the presidency.

The Wednesday program also includes speeches by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez; former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; Sen. Rand Paul; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell; a video from Rep. Ron Paul (listen for loud cheering from Paul supporters after this); and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Rob Portman, both of whom were on the list of possible Romney running mates.

Sen. John McCain, the 2008 presidential candidate also will speak, and it would be fitting for delegates to sing "Happy Birthday" to him when he comes on stage. He turns 76 on Wednesday.

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In addition to the official convention proceedings in the Tampa Bay Times Forum, there will be speeches and panel discussions and rallies and receptions across the Tampa area. Some examples: Rick Santorum will host a "Patriots for Romney" reception; Wisconsin Republicans will hold a "Beer & Brats Bash"; Newt University will hold classes on energy; Ann Romney and Janna Ryan will show up together at the "Women for Mitt Breakfast"; and Kid Rock will perform at the Rock the House concert.

Romney, meanwhile, will work in an afternoon speech at the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis, and President Barack Obama will wrap up a two-day campaign trip with an event in Charlottesville, Va. Obama was in Iowa and Colorado on Tuesday.

The buzz continues at the convention over the mystery speaker on the Thursday lineup, with all sorts of names being tossed around. Colin Powell? Clint Eastwood? David Petraeus? Donald Trump? It remains, well, a mystery.

And then there is this: First lady Michelle Obama appears on the "Late Show With David Letterman" for the third time. She's on a back-to-school media tour to talk about getting children ready to return to the classroom and changes to school lunch programs nationwide, but after Letterman gets all of that out of the way, he will have to ask about the campaign.

Sources: Yahoo! News, Associated Press