Theme might offer a clue to VP choice
It's national security on the night Obama's running mate will make an acceptance speech .
DENVER - Looking for clues on Barack Obama's pick for a running mate? Consider the Democratic convention's theme for the night the vice presidential candidate speaks: national security.
Political tea-leaf readers would argue that bodes well for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D., Del.); Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who accompanied Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan; and former Sen. Sam Nunn (D., Ga.), onetime Armed Services Committee chairman.
Democrats, who announced several of their speakers Sunday, described their themes yesterday, as well as plans for a series of town-hall meetings during the Aug. 25-28 convention - including in Philadelphia - with elected leaders and policy experts.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a convention cochair who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick, said that people in eight cities would be asked their views on nightly themes for the convention built around keynote speeches, and that convention speakers would respond live to issues and questions from participants.
In Philadelphia, according to the convention Web site, people "will have the opportunity to record their questions and individual stories in person" tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the center of Rittenhouse Square.
Besides Philadelphia, the cities - all in potential swing states - where such "open calls" will take place are Atlanta; Columbus, Ohio; Denver; Detroit; Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Tampa.
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"; Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak.
On Aug. 27, the theme will be "Securing America's Future," with an acceptance speech by Obama's still-unannounced vice presidential nominee.
The theme for Aug. 28, the night Obama accepts the nomination, will be "Change You Can Believe In."
Obama Ad Calls McCain 'Celebrity'
Democrat Barack Obama
is out to show that two can play the "celebrity game," with a new ad yesterday labeling Republican John McCain as Washington's biggest celebrity.
Obama, vacationing
in Hawaii, released an ad, titled "Embrace," that paints McCain as both a regular on the TV talk-show circuit and a consummate political insider, chummy with President Bush and lobbyists alike.
"For decades
, he's been Washington's biggest celebrity," the announcer says, cutting to a
Saturday Night Live
introduction of McCain during an appearance he made on that show.
The ad also shows
him on ABC's
The View
and NBC's
The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno. And it shows Bush hugging McCain, being hugged by McCain, and kissing McCain on the forehead.
It says:
"John McCain. A Washington celebrity playing the same old Washington games."
- Associated Press
