The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #113790   Message #2424908
Posted By: Amos
28-Aug-08 - 06:50 PM
Thread Name: BS: Observations of the Democratic Convention
Subject: RE: BS: Observations of the Dem. Nat. Convention
The final night of the Democratic National Convention -- an open-air affair at the home of the Denver Broncos -- will feature Barack Obama's acceptance speech, an all-star lineup of entertainers, and perhaps a big-name surprise.

The Illinois senator, who was officially nominated Wednesday night in the DNC's final night at the Pepsi Center, will give his acceptance speech sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. MDT Thursday at Invesco Field at Mile High in front of some 75,000 spectators.

The "prime time" speech will be carried live by all broadcast and cable networks covering the convention. The evening will also feature performances by several music stars, DNC officials announced.

Colorado jam-rock group Yonder Mountain String Band is scheduled to play sometime before the opening gavel at about 3 p.m. MDT. Academy Award winning actress and "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson is slated to sing the national anthem.

Between 5 and 6 p.m. MDT, will.i.am -- member of the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas -- will perform, accompanied by John Legend on piano, the official schedule shows. Singer Sheryl Crow is also scheduled for that hour. Then, between 6 and 7 p.m. MDT, soul legend Stevie Wonder will perform. Between 7 and 8 p.m., singer Michael McDonald is on the bill.

As for the surprise, rumors have been circulating for days that rocker Bruce Springsteen -- who has endorsed Obama -- would perform Thursday night shortly before or after the candidate's speech.

Springsteen's tune "The Rising" has been an Obama campaign theme and a recording of it was played Wedneday when the candidate made a suprise appearance after vice presidential nominee Joe Biden's acceptance speech at the Pepsi Center.Veteran Rocky Mountain News pop-music critic Mark Brown reported Monday that "multiple sources," which he didn't name, had confirmed to him that Springsteen and fellow New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi would perform at Invesco.

Other media have attribued the rumor to Obama aides. But on Wednesday, both Politico and Atlantic Monthly reported on their websites that Springsteen would not be playing at Invesco, both citing an unnamed Obama aide.

Whether or not "The Boss" appears, the evening will feature speeches by several Colorado political leaders. Between 3 and 5 p.m., the schedule includes Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, John Salazar and Diana DeGette, as well as Denver Host Committee chairwoman Elbra Wedgeworth. Between 6 and 7 p.m., U.S. Rep. Mark Udall -- candidate for U.S. Senate -- will address delegates.

The evening will also offer talks by Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, and (shortly before 7 p.m.) former Vice President Al Gore. At this point, the weather looks favorable for the address.

The National Weather Service forecast for downtown Denver for Thursday night calls for "mostly clear [conditions], with a low around 54. East wind at 10 mph becoming south." Daytime temperatures should reach about 81, the Weather Service predicts.