Obama to Give Keynote Address

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 14, 2004 4:08PM

Cementing his place as the hot "up-and-comer" of the Democratic party, Illinois senate candidate Barak Obama will give the keynote address at the Democratic Convention on July 27.

According to the Kerry-Edwards campaign blog:

Obama will talk about his hope for America and the new direction for this country the Kerry-Edwards ticket offers. He will speak to the need for a stronger America that puts jobs, families and communities first. He will also highlight the importance of Americans dedicating their lives to serving their community and their country.

Obama, awaiting his new opponent following Jack Ryan's departure from the race, handily won the Illinois democratic primary by attracting a supporter base that stretches across all progressive voting constituancies. The Democratic party now hopes that Obama will be able to do the same on a national level.

No word yet on whether Ditka will be asked to give the halftime peptalk at the GOP convention should he become Obama's challenger.