MyDD :: Who Will Give The Keynote Address?

Who Will Give The Keynote Address?

by blueflorida, Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:12:58 PM EST

Typically, one of the biggest attention-getters of the Democratic National Convention is the keynote address. Recently, a tradition has emerged where the keynote speech opportunity is given (although, not always) to one of the Party's rising stars -- a relatively young politician who has generated buzz within party circles but has not yet been introduced to a national audience. Recent keynoters (* denotes "rising star"-types):

2004 -- Illinois State Senator Barack Obama*
2000 -- Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr*
1996 -- Indiana Governor Evan Bayh*
1992 -- Former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
1988 -- Texas State Treasurer Ann Richards*
1984 -- New York Governor Mario Cuomo*
1980 -- Arizona Congressman Mo Udall
1976 -- Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan*
1972 -- Florida Governor Ruebin Askew*
1968 -- Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye*

Looking toward this year's convention, the question begs: which politicians, who could continue the "rising star" tradition among Convention keynoters, could possibly be selected? Let us venture some names. We'll set as criteria (a)must not already have a reputation as a poor speaker; (b)preference given to those who endorsed Obama early (meaning before March 2008).

MA GOV Deval Patrick -- outstanding orator who was with Obama from the beginning of his campaign
VA GOV Tim Kaine -- if Kaine isn't selected as VP, this would be a decent consolation prize; Kaine is a solid-to-good speaker who endorsed Obama very early
MT GOV Brian Schweitzer -- a quite powerful and entertaining speaker who endorsed Obama late but noticeably avoided endorsing Obama's primary opponents
IA GOV Chet Culver -- endorsed Obama after the Iowa Caucuses, but didn't endorse Obama's opponents either. Has got a strong, union-hall speaking style.
MO SEN Claire McCaskill -- endorsed Obama before her primary and vigorously campaigned for him; is a moderately engaging speaker, and being a heartland Senator could send a helpful political message
AL REP Artur Davis -- endorsed early; knew Obama at Harvard Law; widely recognized as a rising star and may be running for GOV of Alabama in 2010.
DC Mayor Adrian Fenty -- endorsed early; campaigned a lot for Obama; has been an impressive reformer in his service as Mayor of Washington; unknown as a speaker; only in his late 30s, age-wise.

Tags: dnc, convention, 2008, obama, keynote (all tags)

Permalink :: 22 Comments :: Post a Comment

names to add? (none / 0)

- amy klobuchar

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that word I reach for my feather Boa!" -- Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:17:54 PM EST

Re: names to add? (none / 0)

I really thought about putting her on the list, but my impression is that she's not a very engaging speaker. I could be totally wrong, though -- I've never seen her give a campaign speech.

by blueflorida on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:31:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

It's supposed to be HIllary Rodham Clinton as I believe the keynote speech falls on the anniversary of the women's suffrage movement. I hope it will be at least. If not that might be quite angering to some. I know I would be disappointed that the party chose not celebrate such an auspicious occasion. It will also further disunity.

by Iceblinkjm on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:21:50 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

She's definitely going to have prominent speaking space. I don't think the Obama Campaign is that friendly toward HRC to give her the keynote. I've been speculating that they'll put her on Monday night -- which, as you know, is a sort of "Red Meat" night where various icons of the party give red meat speeches to excite and motive the various factions of the base.

by blueflorida on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:30:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary Clinton (none / 0)

It makes the most sense - assuming she is not the VP pick.

by highgrade on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:27:33 PM EST

Would I have to wear a tie? (none / 0)

Democratic Candidate, US Senate, Wisconsin 2012

by benmasel on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:41:04 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

My guess would be Clinton, but who knows.

by rfahey22 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:50:34 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

I also think it will a rising star. Hillary will have a prominent role in the convention but probably not the keynote.

I also don't see Patrick in the role as he doesn't provide enough contrast with Obama.

It's clear that both the Ensign and Sanford marriages were the victims of the increasing number of states approving gay marriage.

by January 20 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:53:05 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

I would not be surprised to see Hillary give the keynote speech. However, as you point out that frequently goes to a rising star. Of the rising stars, I think Kaine, Davis, or Schweitzer are the most likely. In the end, it will probably be someone most of us have never heard of before.

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson

by MS01 Indie on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 01:59:06 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

Jim Webb?

by Mayor McCheese on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 02:37:50 PM EST

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." (none / 0)

I should think it would go to one of Obama's supporters. But if it's the bone that will placate Hillary and her handful of remaining partisans, then by all means throw it to them.

by Beren on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 02:58:56 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (2.00 / 1)

Cory Booker.

by Chuckwalla on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 03:06:41 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (2.00 / 1)

You're right -- that's a great suggestion!

by blueflorida on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 03:38:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

Brian Schweitzer!!!!

It needs to be a rising star who can give a great speech.

by puma on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 03:42:20 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

Not necessarily a rising star - when the nominee is his or herself a rising star the keynote usually goes to an established name. See: Mo Udall for Jimmy Carter and Barbara Jordan for Bill Clinton.

Maybe... Bill Clinton?

When you start out making the "slippery slope" argument, where do you draw the line?

by Jess81 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 04:20:12 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

There's been some speculation along these lines that Gore will do the keynote.

by blueflorida on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 04:43:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

Not a bad choice.

When you start out making the "slippery slope" argument, where do you draw the line?

by Jess81 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 05:10:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

Zell Miller.

Haha, wouldn't that be great?

When you start out making the "slippery slope" argument, where do you draw the line?

by Jess81 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 04:21:05 PM EST

If Hillary is not the Veep Nominee... (none / 0)

Which I think she should be btw...

The smartest thing Obama could do to unite the party would be to pick an up and comer for the keynote...Deval Patrick perhaps

And to unite the party, see if he can't persuade Bill Clinton to give the nominating speech...

btw: Adrian Fenty is a very bad speaker...he's done a pretty good job as mayor, but he didn't get there on his speaking ability...

by SaveElmer on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 06:27:48 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

I like Kaine, but he's in a bit of a political bottleneck if he isn't picked for VP. He's in office until 2010, but the Virginia's Constitution keeps anyone from serving consecutive terms as Governor. Since Virginia is about to have 2 Democratic Senators (yeah!), unless he's tapped as VP, I don't see any space nationally for Kaine. I don't see him giving the keynote.

Likewise, as Hillary Clinton already has a very solidly established national profile, it would be a bit of a waste having her give the keynote address this year. Schweitzer seems to be a solid choice though.

by hello world on Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 06:51:58 PM EST

Re: Who Will Give The Keynote Address? (none / 0)

FDR.

by JENKINS on Sun Jul 27, 2008 at 02:50:27 AM EST

Seeing as the convention is in Denver (none / 0)

I'd say keynote could definitely got to rising star Mark Udall.

by jlwolff on Mon Jul 28, 2008 at 12:21:19 PM EST

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