DNC speaker lineup taking shape

By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 14, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.
Updated August 15, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.

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An Iraq war veteran who lost both legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade will lead a tribute to service members and veterans on the third night of the Democratic National Convention.

Tammy Duckworth, who lost a bid for Congress in Barack Obama's home state of Illinois in 2006, has become a well-known advocate for veterans and military families.

The focus Wednesday will be on honoring the military and a "new, tough foreign policy approach that is neither Republican nor Democratic," the Obama campaign said. The theme is "Securing America's Future." The headline prime-time speaker will be the vice presidential nominee, who has not been named.

Former President Bill Clinton also will speak, as will Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar.

"I am honored to have this historic opportunity to deliver this speech before my home state of Colorado, where my family has lived for five generations, and to a nation that is, like us in the West, eager for the type of change that Sen. Obama will bring," Salazar said.

The other speakers include Sens. Evan Bayh, Indiana; Joe Biden, Delaware; and Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia; and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada.

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn of South Carolina also will speak.

Duckworth will deliver the tribute with Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy, an Iraq war veteran and former professor at West Point.

The lineup

The Democratic National Convention Committee and the Barack Obama campaign have released a list of some of the speakers at the DNC.

Monday

Theme: "One Nation"

* DNC Chairman Howard Dean

* Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

* Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House

* Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri

* Tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy

* Maya Soetoro-Ng, Obama's half sister

* Craig Robinson, Obama's brother- in-law

* Michelle Obama, Obama's wife

Tuesday

Theme: "Renewing America's Promise"

* Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas

* Gov. Janet Napolitano, Arizona

* Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio

* Gov. Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania

* Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania

* Gov. Deval Patrick, Massachusetts

* Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Montana

* Federico Pena, formerly mayor of Denver and secretary of transportation and energy, Obama campaign national co-chairman

* Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York

* Gov. Mark Warner, Virginia

Wednesday

Theme: "Securing America's Future"

* Former President Clinton

* Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico

* Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana

* Sen. Joe Biden, Delaware

* Sen. Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia

* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada

* Sen. Ken Salazar, Colorado

* House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, South Carolina

* Rep. Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania

* Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth

* Vice presidential nominee, yet to be named

Thursday

Theme: "Change You Can Believe In"

* Gov. Bill Ritter

* Sen. Barack Obama

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