Who should deliver the keynote and who should nominate Obama?

remembering that these are two separate speeches with two very different tasks.

but what about the keynote?

I'm thinking if Webb is NOT Veep, he might be a terrific keynoter.

comes out on the stage after the speech so we can thank the entire family for being real Democrats!

Nomination speech = Dick Durbin

Just a couple of wild ass guesses.

I think I got her last name wrong.

watched her at Pauley Pavillion and it was obvious that she was in real pain giving that speech. In the week after there were times where somebody actually read her announcement while she watched them do it.

great if he COULD.... I don't know that he can, but I hope so....

I adore Caroline Kennedy and saw her speak at the Obama Rally at UCLA.

When the cameras were not rolling,you could tell how shy and reserved she is -

She read her speech in a very soft voice and even when others were talking, she was shy and "insecure" IMO with the large audience.

That's why I suggested that all the Kenny's take the stage at the end.

Prayers that Sen. Ted is getting stronger each day.

It seems like he and Obama are like Brothers and I know he would do it if his health permits.

I also tried to think of any Democrat that could compare in oratory to Obama~ can't think of any right now.

But ~ I sure would like to see Robert Byrd come on stage for just 3 minutes and shake that Constitution! He knocks me out every time I see him do it!

She addressed an Arkansas delegation breakfast during the 2004 convention, and her style was soft-spoken, thoughtful, low-key. She doesn't unleash a Ted-style stemwinder, a Bobby-style machine gun attacks, or her father's soaring inspiration.

but he's a terrible public speaker, imho. Remember this is live television.

I don't see anyone else who fits the bill, but who knows. Maybe he'll ask Sen. Clinton to do the honors?

but I think Kennedy nominating him is far more effective. Kennedy, if he's able to do it, will have the floor standing and cheering and crying. And people at home will have goosebumps. It's got to be a goosebump moment.

And that still leaves the question of what bright young star does the keynote.

Is Kennedy too divisive?

and now given his health - it's hard to be mad at a seventy-something bravely fighting brain cancer. He's got a reservoir of good will across the country.

Especially with the fact his brothers are tied to the civil rights movement. Maybe even go and have one of King's children do it. Damn, too bad Coretta isn't alive today. :(

Sorry to have to say that, but he is. Another Kennedy (like Caroline or RFK, Jr.) would be a better idea.

and then have Bill Clinton come out and nominate him.

She is so much more intertwined with the Obama campaign than he is, I just really don't see a connection between Bill Clinton and Obama (even though I've posted that Obama reminds me of him). The nominating speech is usually from someone who "knows and loves" the nominee, so I just don't think Bill Clinton is the best fit.

IMO, he is the one of the handful of smartest and toughest Ds in Congress ... He doesn't have the looks, but if you listen to his words, he is S H A R P ...

Did I read where it was Durbin who pushed for BO's Secret Service detail ???

are all about television. I think he's great, too, but I'm not so sure he's good theater.

Perfect choice. Not surprised a fellow Mic came up with it. :toast:

Julie

if he's able.

I hope he's up to the task by then

Keynote should be IMHO Kendrick Meek or Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. They are both from Florida and they both have an amazing ability to communicate.

Nomination should be Kerry or Kennedy.

Hmmm...we need a really dynamic speaker...not sure who would be best.

Nominate: Ted Kennedy if able, or Harry Reid.

it's got to be someone fresh and new who can give us a Barbara Jordan-like moment.

but it will be fun to watch people try.

PB

The Chairman of the SFRC, and a former rival candidate, and one who apologized to Obama for the "clean, articulate" remark, would be a powerful symbol of support and uplift as a nominator.

Boxer? The keynote address should be worth listening to. Boxer gets it done, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes!

much as I love Boxer, much of America sees her as fairly far left. The keynoter should be thematic and inspirational and visionary. While Boxer is all those things (and over the years, she's probably the candidate who I've given the most $$$) I don't know that she has the speaking skill or the personality to make the case to independents. And in the age of television and web marketing, our convention should be singlemindedly geared to winning people over to our message. We already have our base pretty much wrapped up. The convention is our shot at capturing the attention of the rest of the country. JMHO.

Hi, ruggerson.

I concede your points. It was a selfish notion, because I would tune in faithfully to hear what she has to say. But she does frighten the herd, which is why I love her, but your points are well taken.

A show stopper.

:applause: me too!

I thought he did a good job at the Rules Committee hearing.

Webb might nominate. Or Gore?

Sebelius' response sucked. But one boring speech isn't necessarily indicative of an inherent inability to give speeches.

:shrug:

but I never thought Clinton was brilliant at speechmaking. His '92 acceptance speech was probably his best. He was very good in townhall type settings. And extemporaneous q and a.

but he ain't bad.

:D

I suggested her because if the VPs not a woman, the keynoter will be a woman. It could be Napolitano or McCaskill, but Sebelius is the one getting all the buzz about supporting him.

but the one to appeal to middle America is probably McCaskill.

For those unfamiliar, the man is running for Senate in Texas against Cornyn, is still in the National Guard, has served in Iraq, is against the war and could use the national spotlight to bring this incredibly sharp contrast between chicken hawk repubs and the Dems. My only hesitation is that I have not heard him speak, so I don't know how dynamic he is (or isn't). But the keynote should be an up and coming star of the party, so that the spotlight of the keynote propels her/him even higher.

http://www.ricknoriega.com/


And President Jimmy Carter should nominate. This thread can be closed now. :)

I like him very much, and I am in Texas. I was at our convention this weekend. He delivered the keynote, and I wasn't that impressed with his performance. He's been great with smaller and moderately sized groups, but I am not sure he is the best choice for that spot.

I've never actually seen the man give a speech, so I wasn't sure how much fire he could bring. I'd still like to see him have a somewhat prominent role at the DNC, for the reasons I listed.

I had never heard of Patrick Murphy, but after I saw his name in this thread I checked his bio. He would also be a good possibility, and maybe he and Noriega could give speeches on the same night even. I certainly am not saying that there are none, but I can't name a single republican elected official who has actually served in Iraq or Ahghanistan, and I just love the contrast that shows. Nice to show the masses that we aren't actually anti-troops, since we ARE the troops. And I think the war issue will be what wins the election for us, which is why I think it would be good to highlight Dems like them.

With some coaching, maybe he COULD be ready for the keynote, but if not that, I do hope they will give him another rather prominent slot.

My hunch is that it will be a younger Democrat who has the potential to be a national figure in a few years. I strongly suspect that generational change is going to be a theme in Denver, so we could see someone like:

Patrick Murphy, a Gen X congressman, former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, and Iraq veteran.

Corey Booker: Reform-minded mayor of Newark, cleaning up a corrupt city, possible future governor or senator from New Jersey.

Blanche Lincoln: I'm surprised she hasn't been mentioned more prominently in the VP discussion. She's about Obama's age, mother of twins, a good speaker, has a folksy southern charm and a rural Arkansas upbringing that will play well in rural communities.

Of course, if Obama wants to tap an obscure New Hampshire city councilor with a record as a reformer and fiscal budget hawk, I could check my schedule...

:evilgrin:

He's very liberal but is also Jewish and from Florida so he can help Obama there. He also seems to be a very passionate speaker from what I have seen of him.

Hopefully an up and coming LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE!!!!

She won't be doing the nominating.

who nominated Al Gore?

I remember him giving a speech about Gore, I just don't remember if it was the nominating speech. Though I wish he'd been our VP.

Just shows how the nominators can seem to come out of nowhere.
It made sense by the time he finished his speech, but when he first took the stage, I was wondering :wtf: he was doing there. He gave a great speech and offered a great portrait of Gore.

It would be classy if whoever nominates Obama could somehow appropriately suits the historic nature of his candidacy without overwhelming the obvious mission of the convention, IMO.

Alternatively someone who offers a similar personal account with insight to accompany the broad biographical narrative that Obama cultivated would be nice.
As for the Keynote. Several people have mentioned good candidates throughout the thread. I personally like the idea of a young politician or someone in a challenging race who would benefit from some national attention.
I just think it should be someone who is not going to overshadow Obama but who is a strong speaker.

Remember in 2004 John Kerry let Obama speak because he was a new fresh face and see where that led Obama. Obama should consider this very carefully. He may be launching someone into the stratosphere. I think Mark Warner should be the keynote speaker.

:hide::D

What was his name???? Tester....no...um...help me???

Plus, he's a gigantic improvement over Conrad Burns.

http://tester.senate.gov/

Son of civil rights activists (who were also among the first African-American executives at IBM). Very impressive person, who's really trying to clean up his city. He left a comfortable life to actually live in a Newark housing project to try to organize the tenants to fight for improved conditions.

I saw him interviewed on Bill Moyers recently, and thought immediately he could be the keynote speaker. He's apparently friends with Obama.

since he is a colleague and fellow senator from the same state. The keynote should be delivered by Edwards.

Teddy-Keynote

Unity is more than a bumper sticker.