Who would make the perfect Keynote Speaker for our '08 Denver Convention?

[snowbear]

Matt over at 2008 Democratic Convention Watch suggests that since Mark Udell (who will be seaking the U.S. Senate Seat that Wayne Allard will be leaving in 2008) the timing couldn't be right for Udall to possibly be selected - -

Keynote speaker Mark Udall?


While Wikipedia says - "Almost everything else about the 2008 Democratic National Convention is uncertain: ... who its speakers will be"
I think the first candidate for Keynote speaker just popped up. Colorado Republican Senator Wayne Allard announced today that he will not be running for reelection, making the seat even more wide-open. The likely Democratic candidate:
Among those watching with the greatest interest is five-term 2nd District Rep. Mark Udall, who established even before his 2006 House campaign that he planned to run for the Senate in 2008.

...

The party’s nominee will have an especially gaudy showcase: The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that it would hold its 2008 presidential convention in Denver. And Udall, who in his recent House races has won landslides in a Democratic-leaning district that includes Boulder and some suburbs northwest of Denver, gives the party what appears a strong takeover prospect.

In 2004, Udall briefly sought the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell. He withdrew in deference to Ken Salazar, then the state’s attorney general, who went on to defeat Republican brewing company executive Pete Coors. Udall has been piling up campaign funds with 2008 in mind. As of Nov. 27, Udall had $1.3 million cash on hand in his House campaign account; all of that money could be transferred to a Senate campaign account.

Obama's Keynote in 2004 set a precedent for a major Senate challenger getting the plum spot. But even if he doesn't get the Keynote, look for Udall, assuming he runs, of course, to get a major speaking slot.

(From: 2008 Democratic Convention Watch -- http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/ )

Mark Udall
~~

~~~~ Who would YOU like to see give our Keynote Speech?

[Erika]

1. Dr. Dean

He's one heck of an effective guy.

[napi21]

6. YES HE IS! But I don't think they ever choose the Chair of the DNC

as the keynote speaker.

[MaineDem]

17. Dean, as Chair, will have a major role in any case

He won't be keynoter.

[DonkeyInChinaShop]

2. Udall would be cool

[NovaNardis]

3. Correct me if I'm wrong

But I remember Udall being on Colbert and me really liking him. Was that my imagination?

Anyway, I think Udall would be great. Or Patrick Murphy. ;) My new favorite Congressman. (PS He is my district so I am amazingly proud.)

[snowbear]

4. Patrick Murphy would be great too!!

I guess if it turns out to be Udall.. they did it because of the senate race..

I have a feeling being in Denver, we're going to have an AWESOME Convention!

Wonder if the Dixie Chicks will play?

[napi21]

5. If they're talking about someoneinCongress already, I say Webb would be great

too! Every time I see him on TV, he does a great job, and he did a really great job with the Dem response to Shrub's SOTU!

[Nite Owl]

7. Lt.. Watada

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=15717&mesg_id=15717

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

8. Jim Webb would be a really good choice.

[Doondoo]

9. AL FRANKEN!!!

:thumbsup:

[Bullet1987]

10. Jim Webb

...Hands down as of right now.

[conscious evolution]

11. Dean or Webb

I think either would do great kob.
If it's Dean I hope he prasctices up on his rebel yell first.


My first choice would be Al Gore He will be doing the nominees acceptance speech instead!

[LWolf]

12. Medea Benjamin.

For so many reasons.

Other good choices:

Jimmy Carter
Al Gore (If he is not the nominee)
Granny D
Sam Hammill
Ellen Barfield

[Morgana LaFey]

28. My first choice would be Gore -- but I REALLY really want him as nom

instead. I think his time has finally come, and by God don't we need his vision and strength and experience.

[beaconess]

13. Al Sharpton

I know that will never happen. But next to Obama, he gave the best and most well-received speech at the 2004 convention. I'd love to see him rally the troops with a kick-ass keynote.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Mario Cuomo

[xkenx]

25. Mario Cuomo, best Dem. orator ever. Buf for this, new blood needed.

[cmd]

15. Keith Olbermann n/t

[PassingFair]

16. DEAN

He is the best political speaker I've ever heard.

Plus, I love him.

:evilgrin:

[gratuitous]

18. Gimme 5 beers, 10 minutes, 1 live mic

Oh yeah, and three or four of those "Boppo the Clown" punching dealies, with the faces of Bush, Cheney, Rice and (what the hell) Bill O'Reilly on them.

I'd bring down the house.

[IA_Seth]

19. If Clark doesn't run....Clark.

But I hope he is running!

[SteppingRazor]

20. One of the three contestants in the likely Dem Senate pickups:

Go with either Udall, Franken or Steve Marchand from New Hampshire (assuming the latter two win their respective primaries)

[TransitJohn]

21. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal

A heck of a guy.

[greendog]

22. Brian Schweitzer n/t

[Mz Pip]

23. Jim Webb

He's an excellent speaker.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[PresidentObama]

24. DEFINITELY Jim Webb. n/t

[caledesi]

26. Patrick Murphy (PA). Freshman congressman and Iraqi Vet

Speaks very well.

Question is: Is he Irish enough? :sarcasm:

[CPMaz]

27. Dean or Webb

With Udall and Bill Clinton as other, "non-keynote" speakers.

Webb because he's a very powerful speaker; Dean because it would be a nationally televised "up yours" to the Repubs who went off over his so-called 'scream' in 2004. It wasn't a scream, he was just emotionally hyped-up; if a Repub candidate had done the same thing, they'd have annointed him right then and there.

A keynote slot for Dean would also be a thank you for his work at the DNC.

Udall should get a prime speaking slot; he's a CO guy, a decent speaker, and can use the boost in a run for the Senate.

Bill Clinton should be in the mix, because he is still the best speaker that either party has; unless Hillary is the nominee, in which case he'll probably be introducing her (wouldn't that just tick off the Reps.? LOL)

[Imalittleteapot]

29. Webb nt

[BlueIris]

30. Dean would be good for me.

And if not Dean...??? I honestly don't know.