Denver or Bust!
New Mexico Democrats head to the convention of the century (and so do we)
By: Dave Maass 08/19/2008
THE SPEAKING SCHEDULE
Monday, Aug. 25: “One Nation”
Although the first night of the convention is dedicated to highlighting Obama’s life story, the schedule of speakers indicates the night is more about Obama’s closest female supporters and US Sen. Ted Kennedy, Mass., who was diagnosed mid-campaign with a brain tumor. US Sen. Clair McCaskill, Mo., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Calif., will take the stage, followed by a headline address by Michelle Obama.
Tuesday, Aug. 26: “Renewing America’s Promise”
“Promise” is the umbrella term Democrats will use during the convention to cover the economy and energy, which go hand in hand considering how hard American pockets are getting hit at the pumps. However, Tuesday night is also a celebration of the campaign surrogates. On the Obama side, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sibelius, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and US Sen. Bob Casey Jr of Pennsylvania will speak on how to pull America out of the economic grave dug by the Bush administration. But, really, it’s the Clinton camp’s night, with her two most influential backers, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell warming up the crowd before Hillary Clinton takes the stage herself.
Wednesday, Aug. 27: “Securing America’s Future”
Skeptics who doubt Obama has national security at the top of his priorities should note that most of Wednesday is devoted to addressing Iraq, Afghanistan and global terrorism. Pres. Bill Clinton will presumably have chewed and swallowed the rest of his crow before addressing the crowd on a stage that will also feature hawkish foreign policy wonks US Sen. Joe Biden, Del, and US Sen. Evan Bayh, Ind. This is the night for New Mexicans to tune in since Gov. Bill Richardson will also be speaking, an engagement he no doubt secured because of his martyr-like defense of Obama, the ambitious Iraq-withdrawal proposal he pumped during the debates and, of course, because many consider him the most appropriate nominee for Obama’s Secretary of State.
Wednesday also is the night when Obama’s vice presidential nominee will accept his or her nomination. As of deadline, Obama had not revealed his chosen running mate, but SFR can’t help but note that oft-mentioned Sen. Jim Webb, Va., isn’t on the schedule—yet. (That’s particularly strange because Wednesday is billed as a “tribute to veterans, active duty military and military families,” and Webb is the second most prominent military man in the US Senate, surpassed only by John McCain. The difference is, Webb spearheaded the GI Bill revamp while McCain hampered its passage. )
Thursday Aug. 28: “Change You Can Believe In”
Seventy-six thousand Democrats. Barack Obama. Invesco Stadium. At the 1968 convention in Chicago, demonstrators committed the phrase, “The whole word is watching,” to the protest canon. This time around, the chant won’t be just hyperbole.
Full, live and interactive coverage of SFR at the DNC can be found on our Swing State of Mind blog.
Also related: Interview with NM Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and the low-down on protesting at the DNC
EXTRA: Charting the Democratic "Web of Power"
