Convention Theme will be "America's Town Hall"

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

In a conference call this morning Kansas Governor and convention Chair Kathleen Sebelius has announced that the main theme of the Democratic National Convention will be "America's Town Hall".

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America Campaign today announced the themes for each night of the 2008 Convention. The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver from August 25th through August 28th. Kansas Governor and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius unveiled the themes on a conference today with reporters from across the country.

“Millions of Americans are facing tough challenges every day – from the economy to the war in Iraq to the housing crisis to crippling energy costs. Everywhere you go across this country, people are calling for change. They know we can’t afford four more years of the same old divisive politics that are light on policy specifics and ways to help people and heavy on cynicism and negativity. The politics and policies that have divided us will not allow us to achieve the change we need.

The 2008 Convention is about ensuring that those peoples’ voices are heard and their call for change is heeded,” said Kansas Governor and Convention Co-Chair Kathleen Sebelius. “From Monday through Thursday, our Convention program will highlight the people of this country who want positive change and who believe Barack Obama is the leader who will listen to their concerns and get our country moving in the right direction again.”

Monday, August 25 -- One Nation

Monday’s headline prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama.

Tuesday, August 26 – Renewing America’s Promise

Senator Hillary Clinton will be the headline prime-time speaker on Tuesday night.

Wednesday, August 27 -- Securing America’s Future

The Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech

The headline prime-time speaker on Wednesday will be Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential Nominee.

Thursday, August 28 – Change You Can Believe In

Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech

On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination. Obama will communicate the urgency of the moment, highlight the struggles Americans are facing and call on Americans to come together to change the course of our nation.

Following today’s announcement of the themes for the four nights of the Convention, the DNCC will unveil additional Convention program details and speakers throughout this week. Monday through Wednesday’s Convention programs will be held at the Pepsi Center. Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President on Thursday, August 28th at INVESCO Field at Mile High.- DNCC Press Release

Also... people will be able to submit questions online that will be answered live at the convention. In addition, "Open Calls" will be held in the following cities:
Denver, Atlanta, Columbus, Detroit, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa

As part of its commitment to throw open the doors to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Americans from across the country will have the opportunity to have their questions answered live from the Convention floor through “America’s Town Hall,” an interactive dialogue designed to bring more people into the Convention.

Monday through Wednesday of Convention week, the Convention program will feature a nightly segment in which elected leaders, national policy experts and other Convention speakers will respond to voters on topics including how to change politics as usual, fix our economy, make America safer and restore our nation’s standing in the world.

“As Barack Obama has said, this is not our Convention – this is America’s Convention,” said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “And now, at a critical moment in our history, Americans will have their concerns addressed, challenges listened to and their questions answered live by our country’s leaders. We want Americans to be at the center of this Convention, and ‘America’s Town Hall’ will allow us to do just that.”

Starting today, text and video questions can be submitted online at www.DemConvention.com/townhall through Wednesday, August 27, though participants are encouraged to submit their questions as early as possible. A variety of questions will be answered live from the Convention floor in front of thousands of delegates in the Convention hall, millions of Americans watching the Convention at home on television and millions more watching online. In addition, elected leaders and policy experts will also answer questions online during Convention week at www.DemConvention.com.

In addition to submitting questions online, Americans in eight cities across the country will have the opportunity to record their questions and individual stories in person at a series of “open calls” starting Wednesday, August 13. Open calls will take place in Atlanta, Ga.; Columbus, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Tampa, Fla. The exact times and locations of those tapings will be posted to www.DemConvention.com/townhall as they are scheduled and released to local media in those markets. - DNCC