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Politics | 08/11/2008 11:40 am

Michelle Obama to Open Democratic Convention

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Michelle Obama
© Landov

One very influential women in Barack Obama’s life – his wife, Michelle – will headline the Democratic National Convention during the first night’s events at Denver’s Pepsi Center later this month.

Michelle Obama will be the prime-time speaker on Monday, August 25, the first official night of the convention. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, whom the Obama campaign described in an e-mail last night as "a champion for working families and one of the most effective and empathetic voices in the country today," will be the main speaker Tuesday, August 26.

Michelle Obama’s performance will be a chance for her to speak directly to voters, and explain her husband in a personal way no one else can. The theme of that night will be "One Nation."

In a conference call Monday, Kansas Governor and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius told reporters that Michelle Obama will focus on Obama’s readiness to serve the United States as president, his personal story and how he came to embrace the theme of change.

And who better to talk about that, Sebelius said, than Michelle, "who knows him best, who identifies with his values and vision, who is his partner, is his champion and will be an extraordinary leader of the discussion on Monday night."

"As the person who knows him best, Michelle will talk about the Barack Obama she knows and loves, the values that drive him and why she believes he’ll be an extraordinary president," Michelle Obama’s chief of staff, Stephanie Cutter, earlier told The Associated Press.

Sebelius said in an e-mail last night that the convention speakers, more of whom will be announced this week, will be part of an event that will "highlight Americans coming together to change the course of this nation."

"The politics and policies that have divided us will not allow us to achieve the change we need," added Sebelius. "Barack Obama is a leader to move America in a new direction and bring us together to turn moments of great challenge into moments of great opportunity. This year’s Democratic Convention is the story of people from across the country who believe it is time for change."

Also during the press call Monday, Sebelius - whose name has been floated as a possible vice-presidential choice - was asked whether she was being considered for that post, and whether she is being vetted.

"I have made it clear … I would be enthusiastic about doing anything I can to help him be elected president of the United States because I believe we need a leader just like him to take over at the helm of this country and have the kind of change that is desperately needed," Sebelius responded.

10 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Wafaa El  Jusmani
Michelle Obam is obviously a very capable woman. I just have one comment, why are the elections about slogans and images? IT’s the same with every election, the actual issue is how deep and how effective will the next U.S. presidency be? It is about the institutions behind the curtains and not the actual players on stage themselves. Therefore, I don’t really listen when I hear speeches, slogans, proverbs, quotations, etc…because they are merely rhetoric, the issues are all behind the curtains with the actual influential institutions that are dealiong with them.
By Wafaa El Jusmani on 08/11/2008 12:26 pm
No Way-No How -No McCain
I’ll go sit in front of friend’s TV to watch this.
By No Way-No How -No McCain on 08/11/2008 4:25 pm
Diana T
I am really looking forward to hearing her. She is a very good speaker, from what little I’ve seen.
By Diana T on 08/11/2008 11:42 pm
Frank Peterson
Yes me too and I tend to avoid conventions like the dog and pony sho they really are. This one I think I’ll watch.
By Frank Peterson on 08/12/2008 2:35 pm
Connie Godin
Yeh Michelle - glad they are going to let you speak again. I do not like how they have been hiding you.
By Connie Godin on 08/11/2008 7:07 pm
Frannie Em
What a great opening. It will be interesting to see what she says. She is a strong and intelligent woman. What a great time for our country.
By Frannie Em on 08/12/2008 2:04 pm
Dorothy S
Hearing from a strong, intelligent woman like Michelle will be a great kick-off for the democratic convention. She will have a tough job as first lady, as Hillary Clinton and Rose Ann Carter have experienced before her. Wish her luck.
By Dorothy S on 08/12/2008 6:15 pm
DeBúrca obj
I am looking forward to this Convention from start to finish and will be glued to my tv! My son is going to Denver the day of Obama’s speech accepting the nomination though he doesn’t have tickets for Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, he is going to a simulcast event at a theatre in Bolder. He’s flying there from Chicago with 3 friends just for the speech, they are all so excited about this nomination.
By DeBúrca obj on 08/14/2008 10:56 am
sibelle daubigne
What a boring beginning! Great entertainment for the masses!
By sibelle daubigne on 08/16/2008 8:29 am
Karl Clark
Michelle was truly awesome tonight! I truly respect her as a person with many hats. Luv her. She’s our new First Lady!
By Karl Clark on 08/25/2008 11:51 pm