RNC mystery speaker: Clint Eastwood reportedly en route to Tampa

Wily Republicans organizing the GOP convention have fomented widespread Internet speculation over the unannounced so-called "mystery speaker" expected to take the podium at the RNC Thursday night.

The speaker will slot in between former American Idol star Taylor Hicks and Florida Senator Marco Rubio on the convention's final night. Mitt Romney makes his nomination acceptance speech after Rubio.

The rumour is swirling, natch.

Will it be Sarah Palin, who is currently campaigning in Arizona for Republican congressional candidate Kirk Adams? Nancy Reagan, wife of Republican god Ronald, the 40th president of the United States? Or, as some Tweeters have fantasized, a holographic Ronald Reagan/Tupac Shakur duet, a la Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's collaboration with the dead rapper at the Coachella music festival in April?

News broke Wednesday morning that Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood is on his way to Tampa. While nothing has been confirmed, the high-profile Eastwood, who stars in the upcoming film Trouble with the Curve, seems a perfect fit to speak before Romney takes the stage. Dirty Harry endorsed Romney earlier this month following speculation he was in the Obama camp after performing in a gruff, melodramatic Super Bowl halftime ad supporting the auto bailout.

 

Romney's team told ABC News Tuesday they're as in the dark as the rest of us.