Who should speak at the Democratic Convention?

[bluestateguy]

I have all kinds of ideas. On the one hand we need to showcase the new faces of the party, but I think the party faithful would also be well served by a prime time address by Al Gore, to remind the party faithful of the injustice of December, 2000. I would also like to see appearances or speeches by Bill Clinton, Max Cleland, or perhaps one of the Wellstone sons.

[mb7588a]

1. Don't forget Hillary

and Teddy Kennedy

[David Dunham]

2. Jennifer Granholm as Key Noter; She's a Rising Star

[David Dunham]

3. Also Harold Ford and Elliot Spitzer, Two Other Rising Stars

[MurikanDemocrat]

4. Gore would definately be an appropriate choice.

Either or both of the Clintons.

[SadEagle]

5. Dunno about Clinton...

... It just seems it's time for us to stop dwelling on his time, and start working on/for our new leaders, you know?

[Eric J in MN]

16. Clinton was President less than 4 years before the Convention.

Clinton was President less than 4 years before the Convention.

We don't need to stop dwelling. We need all the help from Bill Clinton he's willing to give.

[SharonAnn]

6. Dean, if he's not the nominee, should be keynote speaker.

He can set the tone for the party and the campaign.

[MurikanDemocrat]

22. The way he's trashing the Party I doubt he'll get an invitation

[dansolo]

27. It would do the Democrats good to have him speak

Dean has said that he will work for the nominee once he has been chosen. If the Democrats snub Dean at the convention, especially if he has a significant number of delegates, then you can bet that the media will dwell on it and make it a huge issue. If they let him speak, he will aim both barrels at George Bush, and hopefully will set the tone for the convention.

[MurikanDemocrat]

28. Is it even appropriate or customary for a losing candidate

to be a speaker at the convention? I don't know - I'm asking.

With all the divisivness and negativity he stirs up, I don't think it's appropriate.

[chocolateeater]

31. If he loses, he will be supporting the nominee,

so it would be very appropriate. Having the losing candidates to speak would be a good way to show that the party will be unified behind the nominee, in taking on Bush.

[On the Road]

39. Jesse Jackson Spoke (in 1988?)

It was a big thing, and it was good for the party.

Likewise, I think having Dean speak would be good for the party and help to capture diehard Dean supporters.

[Guaranteed]

38. The Democratic Party owes him EVERYTHING.

He's the only reason anyone thinks the Democrats have a chance right now. If we'd left it up to Kerry and Edwards we'd still be talking about getting a "broader coalition" for the war.

Dean saved the Democratic Party.

[Beaker]

36. great...

let the guy who loses set the tone...

those Dean people- they're pretty sharp...:eyes:

[Wonco_the_Sane]

7. Al Sharpton

He's rockin' on Tavis Smiley right now.

[EllieDem]

8. Hillary will be there to speak

and end up announcing she too is running! A victory for Kerry (or whoever) means she couldn't run probably till 2012, and honey, she doesn't have that much patience!!!!

[Leilani]

26. Hillary always hogs the spotlight

She's now just another senator, & I think she should stay off the stage.

Also, she is very polarizing, & we want to attract new voters.

[Ripley]

41. I have never seen her "hog" the spotlight.

What on Earth are you talking about? In every poll she gets a higher percentage of being the Dem's choice candidate over ALL of the men now running.

Polarizing to who...the repukes? Who cares? Gee if you just hate women in power, maybe you're in the wrong party.

[Melodybe]

9. Dean and Bill Clinton

Even if Dean is not the nominee, he must speak at the convention. Dean has too many important things to say, for him to be ignored. He would use his words wisely and it will inspire all dems, to work just that much harder, to get rid of *. Those that say Dean will try to go third party, don't get him.

[dolstein]

10. Who should speak, and who shouldn't

Who should:

Jennifer Granholm (governor of Michigan)
Mark Warner (governor of Virginia)
Janet Napolitano (governor of Arizona)
Bill Richardson (governor of New Mexico)
Ed Rendell (governor of Pennsylvania)
Brad Henry (governor of Oklahoma)
Elliot Spitzer (attorney general of New York)
Martin O'Malley (mayor of Baltimore)
Kwami Kilpatrick (mayor of Detroit)

Who shouldn't:

Al Gore
Jessie Jackson
Teddy Kennedy

I want the convention to be about the party's future, not its past. And it should focus more on governors and mayors around the country, rather than the same old "inside the beltway faces."

[Melodybe]

11. I'd be happy to hear Ann Richards speak

[dolstein]

18. With all due respect, she's had her chance

She was the keynote speaker back in 1988. Why should we rehash the past? This year, we'll be lucky if the networks devote more than a few hours to prime time coverage. Why not give the party's rising starts the exposure they need?

[David Dunham]

13. I agree we should show off our rising stars

[DemBones DemBones]

12. I haven't watched the convention very closely in

the last few elections, but can't recall candidates who are not the one being nominated speaking at the convention.

A couple of people suggested Dean, one suggested Sharpton, etc. Has that sort of thing gone on in recent conventions? Of course good speakers are important but the party should show unity at the convention.

[Althion]

14. Wouldn't Al Gore be problematic given his Dean endorsement?

If Kerry is nominated, won't that be awkward?

[Eric J in MN]

17. Gore could still talk about the values of the Democratic Party (nt)

nt

[David Dunham]

15. Don't Forget the Best Speaker, John Edwards, Either VP or P Nominee

[nancyharris]

19. It would be a crime

if Congressman Kucinich was not allowed to speak at the Democratic Convention. There should be at lest one true progressive’s voice.

[LibDemAlways]

32. I agree. Dennis is the conscience of the party.

I'd also like to see a parade of ordinary people Bush has screwed - Vets, seniors, unemployed..for starters..to tell how living under the current regime has hurt them personally. I'd also like to see an angry 9/11 widow giving the chimp hell and the parent or spouse of a soldier who returned from Iraq in a coffin and is mightily pissed about being lied to.

This convention is a great opportunity to wake up the American people by simply providing straightforward, no-bullshit information. And no pink tutu wearers need apply.

[Eric J in MN]

20. How about Ambassador Joe Wilson? (nt)

nt

[David Dunham]

21. Chris Heinz, JK's Stepson, Who's Better than George P. Bush Any Day

[morgan2]

23. ralph nader

that'd be interesting

[MurikanDemocrat]

24. Ack!

At a DEMOCRATIC function???

[Lauren2882]

25. Al Franken n/t

[genius]

29. All the candidates should speak. Sharpton should give the keynote address

The convention would get more viewers. It would also be great to make Sharpton the next chairman of the DNC.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

30. Molly Ivins, Max Cleland, Kucinich, Anthony Zinni, Karen Kwiatkowsi, n/t

[TexasPatriot]

33. I'd like to see Josh Marshall and Will Pitt

you could put em on in the wee hours - i dont think they'd mind - but it'd be a cool shoutout to the internet community.

[MaineDem]

34. Maine Governor, John Baldacci

I think he'll have a speaking role as the only Democratic Governor in New England.

[k_blagburn]

35. Osama Bin Laden & Anthrax Killer

It would remind voters, that they havent been caught yet and that the country isnt any safer. Just a WILD!!! thought:crazy:

[pdx_prog]

37. A new trend in the Dem party should be highlighted

As much as it pains me to say it, Clinton, Gore and Jesse Jackson are the reason so many people voted for Bush in the first place. New faces in the party need to be brought forth.....there are a lot more Dems out there besides Clinton, Gore and Jesse....

Harold Ford Jr. is a good fresh face, even though his family is scum, he seems to be a man of his own...

[Ripley]

40. Ann Richards.

She always gives a good one.