The Democrats had the floor--now it's the GOP's turn to take center stage.

If McCain's surprising announcement of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin for running mate is any indication, there should be plenty more surprises in store at the Republican National Convention, beginning tonight. Of course, the nominee will take the stage in St. Paul, Minn., and publicly accept the nomination (no surprise there), but let's hope he gets to speak on schedule Thursday. Due to Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast, the Republicans have cut back on their plans for a Grand Old Party. McCain himself said he doesn't know when he'll get to St. Paul to accept his nomination, and left open the possibility of giving his acceptance speech via satellite.

Here's the schedule of just some of the political heavyweights slated to speak:

MONDAY: Opening night

• U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
• Vice President Richard B. Cheney (cancelled)
  
• First Lady Laura Bush
• President George W. Bush (cancelled)
  

TUESDAY:

• Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
• Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
• Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
• Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)

WEDNESDAY:

• Mrs. Cindy McCain
• Republican Party's Vice Presidential Nominee, Sarah Palin
• Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
• Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
• U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
• U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas)*
• U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)*

THURSDAY: Closing night

• John McCain
• Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
• Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
• U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
• U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)*
• U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
• Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)*