Bill Clinton's Democratic Convention Speech To Take Place On Wednesday Night

CHICAGO — Former President Clinton will have a role at the Democratic convention in Denver later this month.

Democratic officials said Thursday that Clinton will give a speech on the third night of the convention, before an address by the as-yet-to-be-named running mate for Barack Obama, the party's likely presidential nominee. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity before the details were formally announced.

Exactly what role the former president would play at the gathering Aug. 25-28 has been the subject of speculation since his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, ended her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in early June and endorsed Obama.

Obama clinched the nomination after a sometimes bitter primary contest with Clinton.

Sen. Clinton is expected to speak on the convention's second night.

Earlier Thursday, Obama dismissed suggestions that tension between his supporters and hers could upset the gathering.

Obama told reporters that their staffs were working out mutually agreeable convention logistics. At the same time, Clinton was assuring her supporters during an online chat that she and Obama were "working together to make sure it's a big success."

Neither answered questions about whether Clinton's name should be placed in nomination so that her backers could record their votes.

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Amid reports that some Clinton backers hope to raise her profile at the convention or even continue to push her candidacy, Clinton and Obama were publicly trying to ease the strained relations that exist between some of their supporters.

Flying home to Chicago, Obama told reporters that he had talked separately this week to Clinton and her husband, and that they were enthusiastic about having a smooth convention.

"As is true in all conventions, we're still working out the mechanics, the coordination," Obama said. One such issue is whether there will be a convention roll call on Clinton's nomination, he said.

"I'm letting our respective teams work out details," he said. Asked if that meant he wouldn't object to her name being placed in nomination and a vote taken, Obama said: "I didn't say that. I said that they're working it out."

Clinton has not said whether she will seek a formal vote on her bid for the nomination.

During the online chat on her Web site, she wrote that she and Obama will ensure Democrats are "fully unified."

Clinton was expected to deliver a prime-time address to delegates on Aug. 26, the second night of the convention. With the delegate roll call planned for the next evening, Obama was set to accept the nomination with a speech on the convention's fourth and final night.

"We will ensure that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected and our party is fully unified heading into the November election," Clinton wrote. "While no decisions have been made yet, I will make sure that we keep you up to date and involved with all of the convention activity."

Obama was asked whether allowing Clinton's name to be placed in nomination might lead to a catharsis for the party.

"I don't think we're looking for catharsis. I think what we're looking for is energy and excitement," he said.

Clinton insisted during the Web chat that she was sincerely behind Obama after someone asked whether she truly was supporting him or was "just saying what you have to?"

Another questioner wanted to know if there was any possibility her name would be placed in nomination, arguing that doing so "would at least give your supporters a voice in the choice for the party's nominee." She was noncommittal.

Someone else posted a note saying he hopes Clinton becomes Obama's running mate. In her response, Clinton repeated that she will do whatever Obama asks of her but it is his decision "and I am going to respect the privacy of that process by not discussing it."

The Clintons' stance toward Obama's candidacy is being closely scrutinized as the convention nears _ particularly after remarks by Bill Clinton earlier this week during a trip to Africa. Asked whether Obama was prepared to become president, the former president replied, "You can argue that nobody is ready to be president," and said he himself learned a lot in his first year on the job.

The remark was widely viewed as tepid and unenthusiastic, particularly in light of Republican candidate John McCain's frequent criticism that Obama is not ready to be president.

___

Associated Press writer Devlin Barrett in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[lbcny]

Bill Clinton is a big fat crybaby.
Once again Bill, you have shown us that you are a self serving narcissist!
You might have been gracious. You have tainted all the "good" you have done in your past
and confirmed that you are vicious, vindictive and a sore loser.

If Obama loses, it will be the fault of the Clinton's.
I wish they would not let Bill speak at the convention.
He obviously can't contain his seething anger. What good
can come out of Bill's mouth at this point? More about himself.

Grow up Bill. Go do some good in the world not just going around the world
subsidizing your library with money from corrupt governments and people.

And to my fellow boomers and Hillary supporters, GET OVER IT!
You are no better.

[HerbTee]

Until HRC directly address these PUMAs decisively to stand down and cease their disloyal, counterproductive attacks against BO and the Party, I'll never believe she or Bill are sincere in their support for BO. As usual, the Clintons are all about the Clintons and their self-serving, petty egos. They could care less for the Party or about BO's supporters, many of whom were once Clinton supporters.

Once again, BO is kowtowing to the Clintons and I am getting sick and tired of him doing so. Enough is enough!! Sometimes, I do wish BO would simply man up and tell the Clintons to either support the Party or get the hell out of the way!! Now, BO is appeasing Bill by offering him a speaking venue at the Convention. In the meantime, HRC's making comments to her remaining dead-enders which sounds very disingenuous and disruptive to the Convention process (at least to me). If the Clintons disrupt our Convention and further split our Party, allowing McCain and the Repugnicans to win this election, I hope the Clintons will be overtly despised and metaphorically spat on forever by the Party. If BO loses this election due to ANY direct or indirect actions by the Clintons, I'll NEVER, EVER vote for HRC if she runs for President in 2012. If the Clintons have ANY involvement in disruptions at the Convention which causes BO's campaign to sink, both of them should be kicked out of the Party forever! Democrats expect nothing less.

[TotobiAyokoh23]

That is very good for the democratic party.

[BeyondTheBull]

I hope the impeached, disbarred, former president keeps it short.

[dreffein]

It must be wonderful to be as perfect as you are. You know, where you just focus on one event and forget anything positive someone might have done oh, like give us 8 years of peace and prosperity.

Then again, maybe you're not so perfect because perfect people aren't full of hate.

[themne]

Nothing BeyondTheBull said is inaccurate. If you disagree, state so, but BeyondTheBull's assertions are valid and can be proven. Please send bill to the nursing home already.

[riverhouse]

Her name can't be placed in nomination unless she signs a specific piece of paper authorizing the action. Let's see if she does or not. In any case, we'll know if it happens that it was not just the work of her supporters but that she had an active hand in making it happen.

[dreffein]

But you were totally OK when Dean had his name in nomination with only 114 delegates? Or Teddy in 1980? Why the double standard? We all know Obama won so what are you so afraid will occur if her name is placed in nomination?

[Sparty1]

Wow! As a former staunch Clinton supporter, I'm truly just sick of seeing and hearing from either one of them. I can't believe anything that comes out of their mouths. They seem like such liars and backstabbers. They'd better start priming Chelsea for a life in politics b/c that's the only way a Clinton will get back in there. They're just disgusting.

[danoj]

Why does O keep pandering to these two losers? He needs either one of them like he needs another hole in his head. I'd make sure she a) was not on the ballot and b) neither one of them were within 1k miles of the convention. I'd shut them out and make sure someone with a shred of dignity ran against her for her senate seat during the next cycle. He is the leader of the dem party and needs to put these two away.

[NeoLiberal]

Is this a cryptic way of revealing that HRC will be BHO's VP pick?

[DXP]

And what would that make you? Dictator of the (no longer so) "democratic" party? But this is just what Dean would like to do and Obama is doing Dean's dirty work, Chicago style. Obama is not the leader of the dem party and it would be a HUGE mistake to eject the whole Clinton wing of the party as Dean/Brazile/Obama want to do. Opposite of unity, essence of hypocrisy. But your post sounded tough and macho and very cute so rah rah rah!!!

[Bettysdad]

Why doesn't Obama have Mr. & Mrs. Clinton announce his VP choice!

Just like the Oscars, which is what they really think they're about.

[totaldisbelief]

OH God..Please no!!!

[DXP]

rah rah rah prep rally!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cjohnathan]

Hillary's cryptic plans for the convention are the REAL story. Am I just not seeing it, or is Huffpo not covering it?

[lavisiter]

......just curious cjohnathan­..........­.Hillary's cryptic plans? How can you leave out the obvious - Obama must also have his own cryptic plans.... after all ....HE is the one who invited both Hillary but Bill to speak a this convention!

And I agree with you - there is a real story there but unfortunately as with the 8 years of presidents set by the BUSH administration - it seems to me that very few or maybe even NONE of the politicians at this point in history believe for a moment that they are in the LEAST BIT accountable to any of "We the People."

[DXP]

"HE" invited Hillary and Bill? Is the democratic party HIS now? If Bill Clinton was not invited to speak at the convention it would no longer be the democratic party. Bill was the last democrat who actually won the presidency. Twice.

I think that if Bill introduces Hillary as the vp choice it will bring down the house, solve the roll call problem and unite the party - Montagues and Capulets. The PUMAs will be declawed. If Bill has to go thru the humiliation of introducing some other vp choice then it will simply enrage the whole Clinton wing of the party and create further division (if that is possible) and empower the PUMAs making it a real movement of dissent. You know who to blame? Howard Dean, Donna Brazile, Nancy Pelosi.

[ohmercy]

Go get the tinfoil.

Stop trying to create trouble where it isn't.
Enough of the trolls who are trying to keep division alive.
ENOUGH.

[cjohnathan]

Sorry, but the division starts at the California border.Straw polls toward the end of the primaries showed Hillary with less than a 10% favorability among registered dems.We just don't trust her.
We'd be happy to recycle the tinfoil, though. Goes in the blue can.

[ExRepublican]

"Hillary's cryptic plans for the convention are the REAL story"

Fab 40'er, are ya? In other words, delusional and ........ dangerous. You need help. QUICK.

[unpaidpundit]

The Netroots may not like it, but “Cl!nt0n” is the most powerful brand name in American politics, and Nobama and his advisors are smart enough to recognize this reality.

[Independent voter]

Your mythic hero' name is no more powerful than many other failed leaders.

[ilovemydoggy]

Things sure where better under Bill Clinton. But I'm sick of him too. I use my intuition mostly and I LIKE Obama. I'm white, and over 40. I haven't felt so enthusiastic since John Kennedy. Weren't the Bushes boring? Did they have any wit?

For Baby Boomer discussions:
http://www.Vaboomer.com

[Exhaust]

Over 40...you would need to be a least 49 to remember anything about Kennedy, that you didn't read or see on TV and 49 would only make you about 5 years old when he died. Would you like to share any more BS.

[brakmaster]

You know what I'm sick of? Baby boomers and every damn commercial that features some sellout baby boomer anthem. Just retire from public existence already. You had a chance to do something relevant in this world, and you left us with a petroleum-dependent society so you could chase the dragon of your parent's idealistic world. You people created the Clinton White House, and now you are throwing it away like every other disposable item you created. And fifteen years from now? You'll toss Obama in the garbage to latch onto the new "hope" that reminds you of Bill Clinton.

Just go away to some Baby Boomer Retirement Center so you can listen to REO Speedwagon, talk about that one time you and your friends went to a Who concert, and talk about how awesomeness of me me me my generation.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

I am going to say this again, Bill as former president elect who served his terms in office, is suppose to speak, just as Bush or in this case Cheney for Bush willl speak for the GOP. That is standard protocol. It has nothing to do with ego, everything to do with giving a nod of respect to those who served before them. Second, like I said, Obamma has a short list, CFR and the tril latereral commission has a shorter one still. They know who they want, whom they see as fit, understands the roll they are about to take. Bayh and Web didn't make the cut. Hillary, Biden, Gephardt, Bill Clinton and John Kerry are members of CFR, have been approved by the tri lateral commission. Bill and Dick look at the list Obamma has, show it to tril lateral, for final approval. Obamma then makes the announcement at the convention of either Biden, HRC or John Kerry. Same thing for republicans, they have to follow the same procedure. This prevents someone from hiring a family member, Bush being the exception, or buddy who isn't fit. My friend, aquaintence who is CFR? I named him in the list.

[ohmercy]

Can you explain a bit about this CFR thing, why they have a say in who the VP is?

I just find this a bit unbelievable.
Except nothing really is unbelievable with our government anymore.

I wouldn'ty be suropriosed if there really was an illuminati running everything.
LOL

They keep all this kind of ugly going on so we are too bush to challenge them.

[Marcospinelli]

After 40-odd years as a registered Democrat who has never not voted for a Democrat, I'm completely dissatisfied with where the party has gone and the "centrist" (DlN0) politicians being pushed down our throats for the last decades.

When 0b@m@ wasn't outright stating left of center positions on issues, he implied them and only after HiII suspended her campaign did he tack right, and change his positions on at least a dozen issues.

When he's not disappointing the leftist base that got him this far, he's making his base wrong for having standards which include rejecting the lies and racist campaign waged by the C.Iint0ns.

I am having a hard enough time trying to find any reason to vote for this man and this latest demurring by 0b@m@ to big dog alpha wolf BiII is making it impossible. HiII's die-hard supporters are few, and catering to them (as well as the C'hristi@n right and the pro-war crowd and the corporate-wing and the telecoms and Big 0il) is leaving them that brung him to the dance outside without a ticket to get in.

[ohmercy]

Stop Trolling.
It isn't needed or wanted.
Those of you who insist on being divisive and hateful should go and start your own party and blog so you can fight each other to the death and leave the adults who want to unify and WIN back our country alone.
This kind of talk is divisive and destructive.
Not interested. Not Interesting.
Trolls need not be tolerated.

[cjohnathan]

If we did not tolerate divergent opinion around here, this would be a boring blog indeed.
Peace & Respect.

[orangepetal]

First the Obama police and now the division police, who's paying you or are you just a far leftist who thinks without Obama it i the end of America ?

[brakmaster]

Vote for Cynthia McKinney! She will hug you and pet you and call you sweet names.

[Marcospinelli]

Former or outgoing presidents traditionally speak on the first or opening night of a convention. They do NOT elbow their way onto the turf or impose on the storyline that the new standard bearer for the party is trying to set for the nation.

CIinton hasn't been in office for more than two terms. It is the height of gall and ego for him to be making such demands. When he was the nominee, he controlled every minute and wouldn't let his primary opponents speak. The only way that Jerry Brown could speak at the convention was by seconding his own nomination.

[DXP]

You are missing the point. Please go to Wiki and spend a few hours educating yourself, not on highly biased sites like this. Look up DNC DLC DCCC. There are many in play here. IF the vp is Hillary it will be an act of unity to have Bill introduce her and will pretty much take the steam out of the PUMA movement - as I know many of you very short sighted folks would like. IF he introduces some other vp pick it will be the most blantant F**k you possible to the DLC and a whole wing of the party and will enrage them and will empower PUMA (a fragment now, but would blow up into a huge resistance movement).

Remember, statistically this primary was EXTREMELY close. Obama only won because of Dean's 50 state strategy, Hillary carried most of the big, DLC style states. Obama will not be able to flip all the red states and if he loses support in the big blue states he may lose them. The DLC and DNC NEED each other - the Montagues and Capulets.

OK, go back to your prep rally....

[BAM47]

I don't believe it is correct to assume that because Obama lost some states by 6 or 8 percent to Hillary that he will lost those states to McCain as well. Look at California. Does McCain appear poised to win that state? Yet Hillary won it by a comfortable margin. What concerns me about this convention and the role of the Clintons is my feeling that they are waging a 2012 strategy? I have felt this way since the final few primaries, when she had no chance of winning yet stayed in the race and uttered some controversial statements (Like the Robert Kennedy statement she made.) I don't believe she wants to be Vice President because if Obama wins she would have to wait 8 years to run and would be nearly 70 years old. Instead, does she want to cripply Obama so he won't win and then she will be able to run four years from now. If so, the convention is her opportunity to injure him by bringing up all of the negative treatment of her and her supporters. Bill then can reinforce her remarks in his speech, further inflaming the situation. If that happens, Obama's acceptance speech will become secondary in the news cycles because the press loves controversial and negative news (look at the publicity for Edwards situation and he has been out of the race for months.)