Hillary Clinton gets convention speaking slot
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-16 08:38

US Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton(R) was given a speaking slot at this month's Democratic National Convention in Boston, after party leaders initially denied the former first lady a place in the spotlight, officials said on July 15, 2004. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry(L), who will be officially named party nominee at the July 26-29 gathering, delivered the speaking invitation personally after phoning Clinton on Thursday, a source familiar with the situation said. Kerry and Clinton are seen at a rally in New York City, July 9. [Reuters]

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was given a speaking slot at this month's Democratic National Convention in Boston, after party leaders initially denied the former first lady a place in the spotlight, officials said on Thursday.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who will be officially named party nominee at the July 26-29 gathering, delivered the speaking invitation personally after phoning Clinton on Thursday, a source familiar with the situation said.

US Senator Hillary Clinton of New York will make only a small appearance on the stage of upcoming Democratic Party Convention, where John Kerry will officially become the party's presidential candidate, officials said. [AFP]

"He called her. He reached out to her. He asked her to speak and introduce her husband on Monday night, and she accepted," the source said.

Clinton, a powerful New York Democrat seen by many as a possible future presidential candidate, will introduce her husband, former President Bill Clinton, on the convention's opening night on July 26, officials said.

Kerry is waging a close election-year battle against Republican President Bush.

When her name did not appear among individual speakers on the convention program, some Democrats openly expressed disappointment.

"I myself think that Sen. Clinton would be a magnificent addition to any agenda, talking about American values and the Democratic point of view," House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said earlier on Thursday.

Kerry spokeswoman Allison Dobson, traveling with the presumptive Democratic nominee in West Virginia, acknowledged that Clinton had been put on the convention schedule but could not confirm the phone call from Kerry. "We're thrilled to have her," Dobson said.

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