Posted on 07/14/2004 5:34:17 AM PDT by presidio9
WASHINGTON - All of John Kerry's primary rivals - and potential future contender Hillary Clinton - were snubbed yesterday when the Democrats announced their prime-time convention speakers. The four nights in Boston beginning July 26 will feature ex-Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and 2000 nominee Al Gore, along with lots of veterans, minorities and Kerry relatives.
Shut out were Howard Dean, who still commands legions of passionate followers, running-mate runnerup Dick Gephardt, Joseph Lieberman, Wesley Clark, Bob Graham, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich and Carol Moseley Braun.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the convention chairman, said all of Kerry's ex-rivals will get to speak, though apparently not during the evening hours when TV audiences tune in.
"They will all speak - I don't know when," Richardson said. "They were in the arena, and they deserve a chance to speak."
Richardson had suggested Hillary Clinton would end up speaking, calling her "a major star in the party." But officials said later her role would be only to stand on the stage for a first-night photo op with other female senators.
"Sen. Clinton is looking forward to attending what will be a great convention, and continuing to work hard to elect John Kerry and John Edwards," said her press secretary.
Though Hillary Clinton is one of the most popular figures in the party, she also is one of the most polarizing politicians in the country, evoking equal amounts of support and animosity among voters.
Also missing from the lineup will be Michael Dukakis, the former presidential candidate who was trounced by George H.W. Bush.
Ron Reagan, son of the former President, will speak on the second night about loosening curbs on stem-cell research.
Senator Clinton is just too conservative for Kerry/Edwards. They don't want to associate with conservatives.
"IF" Hillry want to speak she would be speaking, there is no one in the world that could keep her off that stage.
Hillry is protecting her credibility by not being associated with the LOOSERS! (NOT)
How many Deniac votes will this shift to Nader?
Well well well. Ron Reagan speaks, but no Hillary. How interesting!
Hillary must be conflicted about the snub. On the one hand, the blow to her prestige must infuriate her. On the other hand, it ironically plays into her hand, because she of course wants Kerry to lose, and a prime time appearance could help energize the Dem base for him.
That's the only time network TV watchers are able to watch.
The broadcast networks are giving the convention 4 hours of prime time over the entire week.
So9
I agree that it's totally her choice not to speak. She'll never admit it though, which ensures that Kerry has egg on his face about it. A twofer.
She will sit back and let others run over the cliff this year. Then she can mount her white horse and save the day in 4 years.
Respectfully, I disagree. Kedwards do not want to be overrun by the Clintons. This is being done to undercut her authority, just as selecting Edwards before the convention was meant to eliminate the risk of Clinton telling Kerry to select the junior senator of NY as his running mate.
I do think that if chances for a Kerry victory look good, she will release damaging information about Kedwards.
Gee--I sure hate to miss these intelligent, stimulating speakers. Unfortunately, I have to backwash my water pic that week.
This is a no-win situation for Lurch. If he puts Dr. Demento on the stage he runs the risk of a meltdown, and revealing on prime-time TV just how far out of touch the 'Rats are. But now that he's keeping him from speaking, you're right - this risks a big loss of votes to Nader.
I hope that we are witnessing the self-destruction of the Jackass Party. I could not be more happy. Well, when Jimmy Karter takes his eternal dirt nap....
Also missing from the lineup is Michael Moore?
I don't think that his mommy would let him go.
It's going to take all day to get rid of that mental picture....
What a gargantuan collection of losers!! Poor Evita! Believe me, she will find a way to back into the limelight. She probably will muscle Kerry to promise her a cabinet position if she hasn't already. It's the only way that I can see why she has been so quiet lately. Sneaky, sneaky...silent but deadly.
Last time around they showed less of the Republican convention than of the Democratic convention. Didn't they refuse to broadcast Laura Bush's speech? At other times the speech would be on but you couldn't hear the speaker because the announcers were chattering away. If they are only going to show 4 hours of the 'Rat convention, how much of the Republican convention will be aired? 1-2 hours? Of course they will give lots of attention to the protesters outside.
It's going to take all day to get rid of that mental picture....
Ok, on the other hand the white horse can...
Hillary will have the last laugh.
(At least as far as Kerry is concerned.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.