Democrats rolling out convention lineup
By John Mercurio
CNN Political Unit
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- We'll learn more Tuesday about what kind of convention Democrats plan to throw for John Kerry in Boston this month when the campaign rolls out its tightly guarded list of speakers.
Well, not that tightly guarded. We know, for example, that former Sen. Max Cleland will introduce Kerry before the nominee's July 29 acceptance speech. That night will also feature Kerry's crew mates and his children. Of course, Ron Reagan will speak, although the exact night is undecided.
Other Democratic stars, such as Senate candidate Barack Obama of Illinois and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, are sure to be highlighted at some point, although aides cautioned that there are only so many hours in the prime-time schedule.
The convention's theme on Monday night will be the "Kerry-Edwards Plan for America's Future." Curiously, however, on a night designed to focus on the future, the evening's featured speakers will be prominent players from the party's past: Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter.
That Tuesday, we'll hear about a "Lifetime of Strength & Service" from Sen. Edward Kennedy, Teresa Heinz Kerry and family. On Wednesday, John Edwards will accept the party's veep nod and talk about a "Stronger More Secure America." And Thursday, Kerry will give his acceptance speech under the banner, "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World."
Party bigs, including Cleland, are scheduled to unveil the formal list of convention speakers at a news conference this Tuesday morning at the National Press Club in Washington.
Great Lakes tour for Bush
President Bush embarks Tuesday on a three-state, two-day campaign swing through the Great Lakes region. Stops include Marquette, Michigan, at 2 p.m. ET and Duluth, Minnesota, at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Bush heads to Wisconsin, where he'll visit Waukesha County, Fon du Lac and Green Bay.
Bush campaign aides apparently wanted to ensure a friendly crowd for his speech in Duluth, a Democratic stronghold in the middle of battleground Minnesota.
The Duluth News-Tribune reports that some Democrats and independent voters in line for tickets were turned away when they admitted they weren't sure they'd vote for Bush. "We work with our grass-roots leadership in Minnesota to invite people who share the president's positive vision for America," Bush/Cheney spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt told the paper.
Kerry's down Tuesday, but Camp Kerry will release a report on what it calls Bush's failed jobs record. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a VP runner-up, discusses the report in a 12:15 p.m. ET conference call with reporters.
Bush-Cheney responds with an Economy Line statement noting General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt's recent remark that "this is the best economy we've seen in years." Meanwhile, Bush-Cheney chairman Marc Racicot addresses a Farm Bureau presidents' meeting Tuesday in Washington.
Kerry and wife Teresa appeared Monday night at another event featuring celebrities (no "R" rated material this time.) Michele Branch and Jackson Browne were among those performing at a Boston "Pre-Party." It took place at an outdoor amphitheater, not far from the site of the pre-Revolutionary War Boston "Tea" Party site. (Get it?)
CNN's Mike Roselli says Kerry joked that Browne wrote several songs about the election. "I don't know if you know it, but 'Knock on Any Door' he wrote for all of our campaign workers out there in the streets of New Hampshire and everywhere else, and 'Running on Empty' he wrote for the Republican Party," Kerry said. " 'The Pretender'? Well, I'll be nice. I won't go there."
In her remarks, Teresa also took a jab at Bush, saying, "We need above all a president who is not fazed by complexity ... a president who likes to read."
Meanwhile, in remarks at a separate fund-raiser Monday night in Pittsburgh, Vice President Dick Cheney showed a little bit of his lighter side.
"Somebody said to me the other day that Sen. Edwards got picked for his good looks and charm," Cheney said. "And I said, 'How do you think I got this job?' "
Ba dum bum.
As the crowd laughed, a smiling Cheney turned and deadpanned, "Why is that funny?"
