Dems Announce Most "Open" Convention Ever

Today, organizers for the Democratic National Convention announced the event's official themes and a national "interactive town hall," designed to create the most participatory convention in U.S. history. Billed as "Americans Gathering to Change the Course of a Nation," the convention promises a bigger role for regular Americans -- both in the public access at Invesco Field for Sen. Barack Obama's nomination speech, and in programming featuring voters by simulcasts from seven other cities and pre-recorded videos submitted through the convention's online town hall portal.

"The plan is not only to include voices from across America, but also people from across America who have never had a chance to participate before," said Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a campaign co-chair who addressed reporters during a Monday morning conference call. She announced themes and prime-time speakers for each night of the convention:

Day One: "One Nation" with Michelle Obama.
Day Two: "Renewing America’s Promise" with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Day Three: "Securing America’s Future" with the VP nominee and a focus on soldiers and veterans.
Day Four: "Change You Can Believe In" with Sen. Barack Obama.

The first three nights will include a town hall segment, organizers explained, to talk about the priorities of an Obama administration: "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."

The emphasis on town halls carries an implicit challenge to Sen. John McCain, who made his political comeback through town hall meetings and complained when Obama rebuffed a proposed series of joint town hall debates during the general election. Damon Jones, a convention spokesperson, tells TWI that the town hall fulfills a longstanding plan "to open the convention up to more people than ever before." Asked about a GOP convention, that promises less public engagement, Jones said, "the contrast speaks for itself."

Register or log in to rate

Blog, Obama, Politics