Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak at the Democratic National Convention in nearly the same time slot that Sen. Barack Obama delivered his 2004 convention remarks, although hers will not be the keynote address, organizers said Sunday.
Clinton will get the last word as the final prime-time speaker just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.
A once up-and-coming Obama delivered his keynote “Audacity of Hope” speech — widely regarded as the address that launched him toward a White House bid — just after 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, July 27, 2004.
A spokesman for the Democratic National Convention Committee said organizers will announce the 2008 keynote speaker later. In a statement, the committee praised Clinton as “a champion for working families and one of the most effective and empathetic voices in the country today.”
And giving her an important headlining spot at the convention is an affirmation to the supporters who nearly carried her to the party’s presidential nomination, DNCC spokesman Damon Jones said.
“Since the beginning, we said we were going to include everyone in this convention,” Jones said. “Considering the amount of energy and enthusiasm she generated, it was obvious she would be an . . . important part of the program.”
On Sunday, organizers also announced that would-be first lady Michelle Obama will take center stage at the Pepsi Center during prime time Aug. 25.
Her husband’s to-be-announced running mate will headline Aug. 27.
Barack Obama, likely the first black presidential nominee from either major party, moves the celebration to Invesco Field at Mile High on Aug. 28 to accept the Democratic nomination.
The date falls on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Barack Obama will address about 80,000 people at Invesco, 30,000 of whom will be Coloradans.
More details about the lengthy slate of speakers and entertainers participating in the convention will be revealed in coming days, Jones said.
He would not confirm reports that former President Clinton also will speak at the DNC.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to an editing error it listed an inaccurate time for Sen. Barack Obama’s “Audacity of Hope” speech at the 2004 Democratic convention. He delivered his remarks just after 9 p.m. EST, about the same time slot in which Sen. Hillary Clinton will deliver her speech at the 2008 convention.
