Who Will Give the Dems' Keynote? Kerry Lets a Hint Slip

[Freddie Stubbs]

By JODI WILGOREN

Published: June 29, 2004


CHICAGO, June 29 — The Democratic National Committee has not yet announced or, in fact, selected the keynote speaker for its convention in Boston next month, but Senator John Kerry, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, let a hint slip here this morning.

"I cannot wait to hear his voice," Mr. Kerry said of Barack Obama, the Democratic Senate candidate here in Illinois, who became a hot commodity in national political circles after emerging from a crowded primary field this spring. "First at our convention, where he's going to have an opportunity to speak in a few weeks, and then on the floor of the United States Senate."

So far, the Democrats have said little about marquee names for the convention, scheduled to begin in Boston July 26. On Monday, officials announced that former President Bill Clinton would kick off the festivities with a prime-time speech Monday night, and that Mr. Kerry's senior colleague, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, would also have a coveted evening slot. The candidate's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, would take a prominent turn at the microphone, too, they said.

But Mr. Kerry himself was the first to publicly name Mr. Obama, a young state legislator from Chicago's South Side who has already been whispered about as a possible presidential or vice presidential candidate in coming years.

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/29/politics/campaign/29TRAIL-CONVENTION.html

[Adelante]

1. That would be great

Somebody new and fresh and interesting. Have you heard Obama speak? I have not.

[LuminousX]

7. I have, and he is good!

And just like with Dean, all my concerns about him faded when Paul Simon gave a nod to him. Simon endorsed Dean and Simon's daughter worked with Obama's campaign.

[aldian159]

25. heard him at U of I

and was blown away. Helluva guy and a great Senator-to-be.

Thanks Jack for liking your sex different and lying about it.
Thanks ILGOP for waging civil war b/t moderates and conservatives, splitting the party.

Hello 25 years of pure Democrats in IL.

[apnu]

8. I can't wait for the election!

So I can have the honor of voting for Obama!

[never cry wolf]

15. Here you go

From Obama's site, you can listen or watch.

http://www.obamaforillinois.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B7120EF80-348B-4763-BB7B-E7F12297D8FF%7D&DE=%7B5A750A62-4DE5-4755-9959-0C081EE47F7B%7D

[Adelante]

17. Oh, thank you

I have to come back to it later, but I will definitely listen. Looking forward to it.

[David__77]

2. From all I've heard, and excellent choice!

Obama Barack will make a wonderful senator and can go very far. It's leaders like him we must cultivate and support.

[WI_DEM]

3. Obama would be wonderful, but I would love Dean to be keynoter

why? he has universally been given credit for waking the democratic party up--even by Clinton and Kerry--with his critiques of the Bush administration. A keynoter should rev up the convention and Dean can do it. Besides, he isn't a candidate for VP so this would be a nice bone.

[JI7]

4. keynote speakers are those seen as future leaders of the party

barak obama would be a perfect pick.

[WI_DEM]

5. not always

In 1948 for instance veteran senator Alben Barkley was keynoter. In '80 Rep. Morris Udall--another veteran was keynoter. In '84 Mario Cuomo. In '92--three keynoters--Bill Bradley, Zell Miller, and ex-Rep. Barbara Jordan.

The keynote address in actuality is to set the themes of the coming campaign--not necessarily to introduce new talent--but it can do both. I think Obama or Dean would be wonderful.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Bill Clinton gave the keynote speech in 1988

But not all keynote speakers have a bright political future. Governor Mario Coumo gave the keynote speech in 1984, and was defeated ten years later for reelection. Ann Richards gave the speech in 1992, and she went on to lose her reelction bid only two years later to you-know-who.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Former rivals of the nominee usually aren't given this

I'm not sure if that has ever happened.

[digno dave]

26. not a good idea for this venue..

[Doosh]

10. no, please not Obama

let's not jump off the deep end fellas, this will do more harm than good to the party ie Ferraro in 84.

Jon Corzine should be the keynote speaker.

[JI7]

11. jump off the deep end ?

i don't see how this does harm in any way. i find obama to be a perfect pick. can you explain why you think it will be harmful ?

[Doosh]

12. re

In a country scarred by 9/11, and that's decidely anti-muslim, it's just not the time to have Barack Obama give the keynote address. We'll scare off all the "heartland americans" Kerry has been working to get.

same with the people who suggest Landrieu for VP, it's just not time yet. People aren't ready!

[Padraig18]

23. Illinois *IS* 'the heartland'...

And Obama is doing QUITE well here.

[JI7]

24. it would be great to have him in the senate

durbin and obama will be one of the greatest pair of senators from the same state.

[Padraig18]

27. I agree.

It's widely rumored that Kerry wants Durbin to be the next leader in the Senate!

:D

[dansolo]

28. God I hope so

Durbin is one of the few Senators with the guts to go toe-to-toe with the Republicans.

[Padraig18]

30. Dick ain't scared of no 'pubs!

:evilgrin:

[JI7]

29. the fact that Kerry appointed him to high DNC post

in charge of the national agenda shows that he seems pretty much in line with durbin's overall thinking and agenda which would make it easier for Kerry to work with the senate and with each other.

[JHBowden]

13. Deep end?

If anything, Obama's plodding, cerebral style may not be exciting enough.

note -- Just because Obama has a Kenyan name doesn't imply he is Muslim. Obama is a Christian.

[Thrill]

14. I heard Obama for the first time

on the Democratic radio address. He's very good speaker. And gets his point across. But I think we need someone a little more powerful for the keynote address.

[Padraig18]

16. Obama is a BRILLIANT orator!

He is the voice of the new Democratic party not just in Illinois, but in the entire Midwest.

[dzeih]

20. hannity and rush...

will call him a terrorist cuz of his name

[Padraig18]

21. 'Cheney' them!

Those who care don't matter, and those who matter don't care...

:)

[no name no slogan]

18. Watch out, JOEMENTUM is building.....

Don't count Liebermann out yet!

[Sparkly]

19. Yeah, I'm sure he ran into another guy in another elevator

who told him how much he wanted him to be keynote speaker...

[Still_Loves_John]

22. JOEMENTUM!!

Hahah. Sorry, this is a completely worthless post, but all my primary memories came flooding back. Ah, I miss them...

[no name no slogan]

31. s'aright. I was joking anyway

But wouldn't it be hilarious? Almost as good as Buchannan at the '92 Repub convention. Holy Shiite, talk about 'blowback'....