Schedule
[edit] Sunday, August 24
[edit] Interfaith gathering
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the DNC referred to Democrats as "people of faith," and for the first time "many people of different faiths" will be brought together at the National Convention. The gathering includes: "an evangelical bishop; a leader of an Islamic society, a Catholic nun and a Jewish rabbi." Music will be by Grammy-award-winning gospel artist Richard Smallwood & Vision and the Spiritual Project of Denver.[18]
The speakers include:
Rabbi Tsvi Weinreb, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union (keynote)
Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding prelate of the Church of God in Christ
Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America
Social activist Sister Helen Prejean, who was featured in the award-winning movie Dead Man Walking[18]
Local clergy will include:
Imam Abdur-Rahim Ali of the Northeast Denver Islamic Center
Rabbi Steven Foster from Congregation Emmanuel
Human rights leader Reverend Lucia Guzman
Buddhist participant Kathryn Ida.
The Secular Coalition for America has argued that while the event is "designed to showcase the 'diversity' and 'shared values' of the party and achieve a 'spirit of unity,' it will, in fact, marginalize those Democrats who do not practice religion." The Coalition wrote to Chief executive officer of the Democratic National Convention Committee, the Rev. Leah Daughtry, stating that it "expressed the Coalition's willingness to discuss ways to make the convention more inclusive." [19]
[edit] Monday, August 25
The convention opens on this day. The theme for the day is "One Nation".[20] A tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy is also planned. Barack Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also will have a role.
The speakers for the evening include:
Michelle Obama - She will be introduced by her brother, Craig Robinson.[21]
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper
Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri
Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. of Illinois
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi[22]
Colorado Obama Delegate, Nate Vanderschaaf has organized the Electric Vehicle Rolling Showcase: 11 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids along with their owners will display and drive the cars.
[edit] Tuesday, August 26
Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio will be speaking in primetime.[23] Former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address [24] and Senator Hillary Clinton will be the featured prime-time speaker.
Speakers for the evening also include:
Governor of Kansas and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius
Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona,
Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania,
Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts
Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana
Senator Bob Casey, Jr.
Former Mayor of Denver
Secretary of Energy and Secretary of Transportation Federico Peńa [25]
Other speakers include:
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Chris Van Hollen
Representative Nydia Velazquez,
Representative Linda Sanchez
Representative Tammy Baldwin
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton
Representative Mike Honda
Representative Xavier Becerra.[26]
Former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner Was Chosen for the Keynote Speech Given by Obama Himself Four Years EarlierThe theme for the day is "Renewing America's Promise".[27]
The 2008 party platform is scheduled to be adopted on this day.
[edit] Wednesday, August 27
The theme for the day is "Securing America's Future".[28]
Significant speakers include former President Bill Clinton and the to-be-announced Vice Presidential candidate.
The speakers for the evening include:[29]:
Former President Bill Clinton
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware
Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia
Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada
Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn of South Carolina
Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania
Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida
Former Democratic Nominee for Congress Tammy Duckworth of Illinois
Barack Obama's Vice Presidential Nominee
The roll call is expected to be held on this day. Along with presumptive nominee Barack Obama, former opponent Hillary Clinton's name will also be placed in nomination.[30]
[edit] Thursday, August 28
The theme for the day is "Change You Can Believe In".[31]
The speakers for the evening include:
Former Vice President Al Gore[32]
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter
Barack Obama is expected to accept the nomination in a speech at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech.[33]