"I'd love to see Sarah Palin have a big slot — as far as speaking — because there's no one still in America that excites the base of conservatives and even libertarians as she does,” he told Fox News Thursday.

“She can draw a crowd more than any other Republican, and I think has more influence in primaries than any other endorsement right now, so I think she'd be good."

DeMint also would like to see some fresh tea party blood from Congress on the speaker’s podium at the convention. He cited Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, and Rep. Jim Jordan of Texas.

Read more on Newsmax.com: DeMint: Give Palin Major Speaking Role at Convention