Obama VP speech to emphasize security theme at Dem Convention
Update: VP speaker's theme shares name of Wes Clark PAC
Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Barack Obama's campaign and the Democratic Convention organizers seem like they might be dropping a big hint about who's going to grab the No. 2 spot on the ticket.
The third night of the convention, Wednesday Aug. 27, will feature a prime-time speech from Obama's yet-to-be-named running mate. The day's theme is "Securing America's Future," which just so happens to be the name of Gen. Wesley Clark's Political Action Committee.
An representatives of the Obama campaign and Clark's PAC did not immediately respond to RAW STORY's request for comment on whether this meant Clark would be the Democrat's potential vice president, but so far it seems to be mostly coincidence:
For what it's worth, an aide to Gen. Clark could not restrain near-riotous laughter when asked if there was anything behind the connection.
"I don't think it's anything more than an interesting coincidence," the aide said in between convulsions. "It's just because his PAC was named so well!"
Still, it's not as though the party is randomly naming each day of the convention. The theme for Thursday, when Obama will speak, is the familiar-sounding "Change You Can Believe In."
Coincidence or no, the Wednesday night theme has launched some speculation that Clark will show up on the ticket.
A former NATO commander, Clark ran his own brief presidential campaign in 2004 and he remains popular among progressive activists. Observers see his national security credentials as a potential vital boost to the ticket.
Clark also has shown himself to be a capable political combatant. He refused to cower earlier this summer when Republicans drummed up outrage over his observation that Republican nominee John McCain's experience as a shot-down fighter pilot turned Vietnam POW did not alone make him qualified to be Commander in Chief.
Organizers of the Democratic National Convention on Monday announced themes and primetime speakers for each of the four days the party will gather to crown its nominee in two weeks.
As Time magazine's Jay Newton-Small notes, the theme on Wednesday seems to suggest Obama will pick a running mate with strong national security credentials.
The schedule also seems to eliminate the possibility that Hillary Clinton will be the next vice president. The former First Lady is slated for a prime-time speaking role on Tuesday night.
The Politicker's James W. Pindell opines, "While they probably did not intend it this way, the Democratic National Committee just stated that New York Sen. Hillary Clinton will not be Barack Obama's pick for vice president."
Pindell notes that the schedule's placement of Clinton on Tuesday and the veep pick on Wednesday inherently implies "[t]wo different people on two different nights. This does not preclude Obama from picking Clinton anyway though it would be a little odd that a convention he is essentially running on would reverse itself in such a dramatic way."
"From Monday through Thursday, our Convention program will highlight the people of this country who want positive change and who believe Barack Obama is the leader who will listen to their concerns and get our country moving in the right direction again," said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebilius, a co-chair of the convention who is considered a top candidate herself for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.
The theme for the Aug. 25 opening night will be "One Nation," with a speech by Michelle Obama.
The Aug. 26 theme is "Renewing America's Promise" with a speech by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama's chief rival for the presidential nomination.
The theme for Aug. 28, the night Obama formally accepts the nomination, is "Change You Can Believe In." Obama will speak at the 75,000 seat Invesco Field in Denver, while the rest of the convention will take place in the nearby convention center.
The convention organizing committee also announced Monday that it will be hosting an interactive town hall meeting to allow voters from around the country to submit text and videotaped questions to be answered during the convention.
"As Barack Obama has said, this is not our Convention -- this is America's Convention," said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "And now, at a critical moment in our history, Americans will have their concerns addressed, challenges listened to and their questions answered live by our country's leaders. We want Americans to be at the center of this Convention, and 'America's Town Hall' will allow us to do just that."
With wire reports
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