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GOP convention buzz: And the 'mystery speaker' is ... Clint Eastwood!

The latest at the GOP Convention is that Clint Eastwood is the 'TBA' speaker Thursday, slotted just before Marco Rubio introduces Mitt Romney and adding a little Hollywood pizzazz to the evening.

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Cliff Owen/AP
Clint Eastwood, the “Dirty Harry” star and Oscar-winning director of “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby," endorsed Mitt Romney this month.

| Tampa, Fla.

Clint Eastwood of “Make my day” fame is the current thinking among those predicting the identity of Thursday night's mystery speaker at the Republican National Convention.

"It's him," Romney family friend Paul Gilbert told the US News “Washington Whispers” blog. "I can confirm that, 100 percent." Mr. Gilbert served as the GOP presidential candidate's Arizona state chair.

Fox News is also saying it’s Mr. Eastwood: “One Republican source told FoxNews.com that Eastwood is indeed the mystery speaker, following an online report that claimed the actor is planning to travel to Tampa for the convention.” CNN is reporting the same.

Like a round from Dirty Harry’s massive revolver, the Eastwood buzz ricocheted elsewhere, including at PolicyMic.com (which bills itself as a voice for millennials), where the headline is “RNC Schedule of Speakers: LIVE Mystery Speaker is Clint Eastwood.”

Eastwood is prominent on the Monitor’s list of five likely mystery men (or women) designed to generate expectation and enthusiasm on the convention floor: Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Mitch Daniels, a “ticked-off CEO,” and Eastwood.

But really, Ms. Palin and The Donald have too much baggage and Gov. Daniels – a decent man and an effective governor – is too … well, think Paul Ryan without the pizzazz.

In any case, the official convention speaking schedule for the night includes a slot for “to be announced” just before Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida introduces Romney.

Although his political image isn’t as hard-edged as the late Charlton Heston's of “cold, dead hands” pro-gun fame, Eastwood endorsed John McCain in 2008 and has done the same for Romney this year. He’s described President Obama as “a greenhorn” who “didn’t have experience in decision-making."

When Republicans speak of “Dirty Harry,” they usually mean Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada – the guy who charged that Romney hadn’t paid any taxes for the past decade.

But tonight at least, the reference seems likely to be to the “make my day” guy himself.

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