Who will be the Keynote Speaker? Any guesses?

[Ichingcarpenter]

Contrary to some early reporting, Hillary Clinton's Tuesday night speech at the Democratic National Convention won't be the event's "keynote speech," a defining convention role occupied in 2004 by Sen. Barack Obama.

The Convention Committee never actually put that out, but it's been fairly widely reported (and, in a few cases, corrected).

Clinton "is one of four prime-time headline speakers. We will have a separate keynote speaker," said Jenny Backus , A senior adviser to the Obama campaign and , . "Stay tuned."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Clinton_not_convention_keynote.html


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/18/obamas-convention-planner-talks-invesco-speeches/

[Drunken Irishman]

1. I said this a couple days ago and people said I was wrong.

Good thing I wasn't. :)

I hope it's Hagel.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Normally it is someone the party wants to showcase as up and coming

Is Rocky Anderson on the list of speakers yet?

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Rocky, I believe, is supporting Nader.

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. He supported Richardson in the primaries..... please don't make stuff up

He's a good guy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-nation/rocky-anderson-for-bill-r_b_71784.html

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Don't tell me I'm making shit up. He was my mayor.

And he's supporting Nader.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3852420

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. No way..........

What a bummer.

[Drunken Irishman]

21. I don't know why he decided to.

Rocky even supported Kerry in 2004, even though he wasn't his first choice.

I don't quite like how much Rocky has changed over the past few years. In last year's mayoral race, one where he decided to not run, he said, to the only Democratic female candidate, her place was in the house raising a family and not campaigning. It really hurt her campaign and she eventually lost the primary to Democrat Ralph Becker. Don't get me wrong, I love Ralph Becker (who's probably more progressive than Rocky), but it was just a very underhanded thing to do.

[nsd]

4. His spokesman said today that Hagel would remain neutral and wouldn't speak at either convention.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Figures. What an asshole.

[TwilightGardener]

39. Geez. Maybe he wasn't asked to speak.

[Drunken Irishman]

49. Geez, I meant about not endorsing.

Geez.

[TwilightGardener]

56. Well, he doesn't owe Obama anything--yet he's been defending Obama, and

actually made that whole Iraq trip possible (needed to be bipartisan to be a CODEL). McLame is his friend, and yet Hagel has been publicly chiding him for his campaign rhetoric and ads. I'm sure he has very torn loyalties. I'm bummed that he's staying neutral, but I'm sure Obama understands the position he's in.

[babylonsister]

8. I heard Hagel won't be in the country for either convention. Here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/12/veep-stakes-cross-hagel-off-the-obama-list/

[MaineDem]

52. I was chastised in another thread for saying I didn't think Hillary was the keynoter

:shrug:

Warner will do a great job!

[Imagine My Surprise]

3. Betty White n/t

[PresidentObama]

7. It should be Clinton, but whatev's. I would go with Chuck Hagel or Tim Kaine n/t

[Adelante]

10. John Kerry?

I notice he is not listed anywhere.

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. He's not on the list so far and neither is Anderson

Kennedy will not keynote because he is taped on the first day.
Hagel is out of the country that day, he's out and retiring. Hillary is out.

Any up and coming mayors or governors?

[karynnj]

38. Whether he's the keynote speaker or not, I doubt Obama would

not give him a reasonable slot. In addition to the 2004 speech, Kerry has been one of the best if not the best surrogate Obama had in the primaries and since. His early endorsement was not without cost to his own popularity and it was risky. He also has clearly been a trusted advisor.

In addition, Kerry's 2004 programs were in many ways the basis of most of the 2008 programs and, in some cases, they literally borrowed his words. In fact, Gate's counter terrorism recommendations sound like Keryr's 2004 proposal - down to using the word "nuisance". The entire party followed Kerry on Iraq, including Obama.

Kerry himself was the first to include Carter since he lost in 1980 and he gave Gore a speech - back when Gore pre- "an inconvienient truth". Kerry lost very narrowly, likely due to election problems in Ohio. He returned to the Senate and worked for the party with grace and enthusiasm. Kerry is a Democratic leader.

[Adelante]

55. Agree on all that

Since the keynote speaker is not yet announced, yet the topic is military/ns, and Kerry's name is absent, I think it could easily be Kerry.

[DCBob]

11. Wexler

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) would be superb.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. Wexler is a powerful speaker

and do an excellent keynote,.

[Alexander]

18. Seconded, I'd really like Wexler to do it.

[caledesi]

31. I agree! NT

[me b zola]

32. I love the idea of it being Wexler

However, just because Obama doesn't do everything in the manner in which people think that he should, I could see him having Kennedy's taped speech as the keynote--could go a long way, depending upon the speech that Kennedy is planning on delivering, to quieting down the disruptors in the convention.


Big love and respect for Rep Wexler :loveya:

[Ichingcarpenter]

34. Kennedy's speech is on the first day so that is out

Wexler would work for me too, I'd like to see him take away Nelson or Martinez's Senate Seat.

[me b zola]

36. Nelson is by far one of the stinkiest in the Senate

Him and his twin Ben in NE. I would love to see a fire breathing Liberal move on up to the senate. :)

[Faygo Kid]

12. I wish it could be Ted Kennedy. How powerful would that be?

I know, forget it. Too bad.

Maybe Jim Webb?

[PresidentObama]

19. I didn't think of Jim Webb. I bet he's him, Tim Kaine or Mark Warner. The VA boys :)

[ellaydubya]

17. What about Al?!?!?!?!?

Would he not do it? We, the Democrats can help his cause which is also ours, global warming and our environment. A perfect match.:kick: :grouphug:

[Faygo Kid]

20. He's already scheduled for Monday, I think.

Good choice, and he will speak. But not as keynoter.

[greguganus]

22. Al Sharpton? n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

23. Al Bundy!

[greguganus]

24. WTF??? He's a shoe salesman! n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

26. BUT HE'LL HELP WITH THE WORKING CLASS WHITE VOTES!

:)

[greguganus]

28. Don't forget the women vote! Women love shoes. n/t

[PresidentObama]

25. Forget Al. How about ALF!

[greguganus]

27. The Animal Liberation Front? n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

29. Al Franken?

I do hope Al Franken gets to speak but not as the keynote.

[greguganus]

30. Franken spoke last week and only ONE person showed up. n/t

[otohara]

35. Ouch - Considering All The USO Tours

Al has done over the years, it's sad the vets didn't come out and at least listen to him.

[Dinger]

33. Willie Nelson Or Kucinich Works For Me : )

:)

[nsd]

37. Mark Warner or Jim Webb.

Showcase someone from Virginia, in other words.

[DFW]

42. You got your wish! It's Warner.

[leftstreet]

40. Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg n/t

[geiger]

54. or Ted, either one or both, would create a sensation. eom.

[DFW]

41. I hear it's Mark Warner of Virginia

[ruggerson]

44. Warner would be great

[DFW]

45. I got the email from the Warner campaign not an hour ago.

[ruggerson]

46. Perfect choice

I was kind of hoping he'd be a dark horse Veep, but if not, great idea to have him keynote.

[DFW]

47. Won't hurt his Senate campaign, either

Not that I thought he was in any danger of losing.

[FrenchieCat]

48. Yes, it will help!

[Drunken Irishman]

50. And it said?

[DFW]

51. It said.......

full text here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3436344&mesg_id=3436344

[ruggerson]

43. It is safe to say that whomever it is

will never top Barbara Jordan.

Ever.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarajordan1976dnc.html

[TexasObserver]

53. Obama will want to spotlight a female on Monday night

Because he will want to have a high visibility speech by a woman on the night before Hillary speaks.

Therefore, I think we will see Kansas governor K.S.