Former President Clinton and Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts are in line for prime speaking slots at the Democratic National Convention in Boston next month.
Clinton is scheduled to speak July 26, the opening night of the four-day convention, and Kennedy will address the audience the second day, Democratic officials said Monday. The vice presidential pick will speak July 28 and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will close the convention July 29 with his expected acceptance speech.
Kerry’s former rivals plus Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Al Sharpton, who remain in the primary race, will have a role at the convention although officials haven’t decided what that will be. Arrangements are still being worked out.
Republicans made their convention lineup official on Monday. The GOP will gather in New York beginning Aug. 30.
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the city’s current mayor, Michael Bloomberg and Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has rejected Kerry’s overtures to be his vice president, will speak the opening day.
First lady Laura Bush, Secretary of Education Rod Paige and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will address the audience in prime time on the second night.
Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney, will deliver speeches on the third night of the convention. Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia also will speak that night, as the Associated Press first reported on Friday.
On the final evening, New York Gov. George Pataki will introduce President Bush, who will close the convention with his acceptance speech.