TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Republican National Convention officials say Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, will be speaking during prime-time television coverage of the event.
The presumptive Republican nominee said Friday that he was "disappointed" that the networks weren't planning to broadcast more of the convention.
"I know a number of the networks are looking to put money to the bottom line and they might not think that three hours or four hours of broadcasting a convention makes economic sense for them," Romney said. "But this is an important time for our nation."
Romney, in a radio interview on "The Hugh Hewitt Show," said his wife's convention speech is finished. But his speech is "still a work in progress."
Mrs. Romney is a key surrogate in a race where women voters are fiercely sought after by Romney and Democratic President Barack Obama.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a rising national figure in the party, had offered to give up his slot speaking Thursday for Mrs. Romney, who was scheduled to speak on Monday, the convention's opening night. Broadcast television networks were not planning to cover Monday's proceedings in Tampa.
However, the freshman senator and tea party favorite will keep his Thursday slot, and address the convention in his home state just before Romney closes the convention with his acceptance speech.
