WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Convention will be an “American Town Hall,” with citizens from eight cities including Denver asking questions dealing with issues average people care about, Democratic leaders said today.
The convention will be “incredibly exciting and innovative, one like we’ve never seen before,” Kansas Gov. and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius said in a conference call with reporters.
The Democratic National Convention Committee this morning unveiled the convention theme and themes for each night and featured speakers.
On Monday, Michelle Obama will talk about “American at a Crossroads,” and the need for a new leader. She will give the “Barack Obama story,” Sebelius said, “how he got his vision” and values.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak Tuesday when the theme will be “Renewing America’s Promise.” She will address economic challenges facing Americans including jobs, paying for homes and college and access to health care, Sebelius said.
Wednesday’s theme will be the contribution of veterans and a “tough new foreign policy.” The vice-presidential nominee will speak that night. No information was given on who that person might be.
Sebelius declined to say whether Clinton speaking on Tuesday meant she would not be the vice-presidential nominee, nor whether Wednesday’s national security theme pointed toward a vice-presidential nominee with military or national security experience, such as Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican who recently traveled with Obama to Iraq.
“It’s clear that Sen. Obama will announce his vice-presidential choice when he’s fully prepared to do that,” Sebelius said. Every potential vice-presidential nominee will be speaking during the convention, she said.
While Wednesday night’s themes will be about “securing America’s future,” said Anita Dunn, senior advisor to Obama, “anyone who Sen. Obama picks as vice-president will be more than prepared to address those issues.”
“Nothing should be read into the themes or issues or ideas,” about each night and the VP choice, Sebelius said.
Democratic leaders did not say when or if former President Bill Clinton would be speaking. But they did confirm that neither former presidential candidate John Edwards nor his wife Elizabeth Edwards would be speaking.
Obama will speak Thursday night at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The town hall portion of the convention will include both live and taped questions from Americans. The taped questions will come from citizens in Atlanta; Denver; Columbia, S.C.; Detroit; Philadelphia; Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Tampa, Fla.
Democratic leaders did not say who would be answering those questions. Those names will be announced later this week and next week.
