Va.'s Warner to be Democratic keynote speaker

By Jonathan Weisman and Michael D. Shear

WASHINGTON - Democratic Party leaders Wednesday selected former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to deliver the keynote address at their national convention in Denver this month, positioning him prominently in a weeklong lineup that seeks to pay homage to the party of the past while ushering in a new generation of leaders under Barack Obama.

The choice of Warner appeared to dim chances that the state's current governor, Timothy Kaine, would be selected as the Democrats' vice-presidential nominee. If Kaine were chosen as Obama's running mate, two Virginians would have back-to-back, prime-time speaking slots, which party officials regard as an unlikely scenario.

The convention, which begins Aug. 25, will be studded with old and new faces. Monday will feature an homage to the Kennedys. Tuesday, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York will speak and Warner will deliver his keynote. Wednesday's program will be devoted to military issues and national security, and it will feature Obama's pick for vice president; two front-running vice -presidential candidates, Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Evan Bayh of Indiana, have speaking slots that day. Former president Bill Clinton also will appear Wednesday. Read more >>