My personal opinion is that Kerry did not want her to speak because he doesn't think much of her. He doesn't want her to speak because he's afraid of her.

All of Hillary's supporters know very well that if Kerry wins the election there will be no chance for her to run in 2008.

Kerry does not want to remind people how much more of a dynamic candidate Hillary is for fear that they may decide to just stay home on Nov 2 and wait for their chance in 2008.

Hillary supporters must be of two minds about the current situation and I'm guessing that there are a significant number of Hillary supporters within the Democratic Party.

But are there more people who are FOR Hillary than there are who are just AGAINST Bush?

"Show some damn respect. Stop treating her like the little woman - she'd kick Kerry's ass in a NY minute."

That's exactly why the Dems DON'T want her to speak. Frankly they want to put her up in '08 and the Dems are caught between a rock and a hard place...they obviously don't want Bush but they don't want a first-termer in either (Kerry) since their one and only primary goal this decade is putting up Hillary.

It's Kerry's convention, not the Clintons'. Why does the Junior Senator from New York automatically get a speaking role? So far as I know Ladybird Johnson and Roslyn (sp?) Carter are still alive, do they get speaking roles too?

This is a tempest in a teapot if you ask me. Kerry didn't want his convention to seem like a coronation for Hillary. Seems reasonable to me.

I dunno. Maybe I'm wrong.

You're exactly right, Dean (wow, a great birthday and now this - what a roll ;-)

Besides, Hillary's having a pretty good run since becoming First Lady and I'd say it has a long way yet to go. No need to get your panties in a bunch, Rosemary.

And does Nancy Reagan, the Grand Dame of the GOP get to speak at the Republican convention? I hope so but probably not. To be fair, Hillary is the only the first lady in history to be a politician and elected official in her own right which is pretty darn impressive historically at this juncture. But if Kerry thinks she might hurt his ticket then, I agree with Dean, let her get her own convention. Personally, I don't think she is half the politician her husband is. He got all the charisma in that partnership.

"Nancy Reagan, the Grand Dame of the GOP"

Sorry, but Elizabeth Dole would be the holder of that title.

Hillary is not just a former first lady or junior senator...she is a high ranking and popular Democrat. I agree with you, Rose. Plus, having her speak at the convention and rally up support for Kerry would only help him. Frankly, I believe Kerry fears the fact that she is liked more. While he knows that Bill is definitely liked more, he knows that he cannot be elected again.

Shep,

I don't wear panties.

All of you:

I believe that Nancy Reagan has addressed the RNC more than once. Maybe not this year because of Ronnie's passing but I'm not sure.

My point is that if some governor's wife rates a prime spot why not Hillary. She is a star in the Democratic Party - it seems like a slight and the paultry offer kerry just made was a slap. She'll do it but it was still a slight. Especially after she personally helped Kerry raise more than a couple million bucks and gave him access to her donor lists.

Right on! Al

Your probably right, Rosemary, Hillary is being slighted. Now's her chance to show her class (which I suspect she has plenty of at least when dealing with her own supporters)and acquiese to the nominee. It isn't the first time she has been slighted and it probably won't be the last. Knowing Hillary, she can fight the good fight, is tough and does not have a thin skin. She'd be on Prozac by now if she was thin skinned.

I suspect that Nancy will be asked to make an appearance at the GOP convention and I'll bet she will accept. I doubt that she will speak though. And as much as I admire Elizabeth Dole, she hasn't eclipsed Nancy Reagan yet in the GOP but she is definitely a contender. I think that Nancy Reagan has a lot of clout in GOP inner circles; more than the ordinary person would ever guess. And it wouldn't surprise me any if she has enough influence to get the federal stem cell research program freed up. IF she doesn't, I'd not be surprised to see her out speaking a LOT on the subject. GWB will not want that. Nancy Reagan, now there's a woman of steel and even at 82, she will not be trifled with on this issue.

You don't wear...

(long pause)

NOW I know what causes a man to spontaneously burst into flames. That was close.

Rosemary,

Thanks (my plan worked perfectly ;-)

The convention is political theatre. Of course you don’t want a bunch of speakers outshining the candidate (there’ a challenge for ya) and Kerry already has to share the stage with one the party’s most charismatic, telegenic and beloved speakers in Bill Clinton. If it was who helped the most with fundraising, Hillary (and Kerry) should really be speaking at the Republican Convention.

Since you guys are all so "open minded" try watching this short film about despotism and then sit there and tell me how just and democratic BushCo really is.

http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=00178

What exactly does that have to do with this discussion about Hillary?

Shep:

Hahaha, that crack took me a minute to process. RNC, indeed. Very funny.

Dan:

Ummm, sorry about that. Blame Shep - he set me up and as usual I type first and regret my answer second...

Either way - my motto is panties are for grannies.
;-)

Yes, Nunya.. you are WAY off topic. Now, could we please get back to talking about Rose's panties?

Shep, I don't wear panties.

Panties aren't the greatest thing in the world but they touch the greatest thing in the world. I think I saw that on Jay Lenno last night. I was like AMEN! That's alright Rosemary, your jeans are the closest thing to perfection that I know of.

Big Dan:
Ask and you shall receive brother! hehe

Dean says that all the time Ralph. Poor Dean...

Poor Dean? Would you care to elaborate? I'm highly skeptical at this point.

As for this:
I mean they have the wife of the Iowa Governor speaking but not former First Lady and current NY Senator? WTF?

Ms. Vilsack (can't remember her name, too lazy to Google) was Kerry's campaign chair in Iowa for the primaries, and he owes her big time for the win there. He owes Hillary bupkiss. That's why.

Christy Vilsak

Sorry, it's Christy Vilsack. And I live in Iowa - can't spell the Gov's name.

Can anyone remember who spoke memorably at the 2000 convention? For either party? 1996? 1992? 1988? Fact is, memorable speeches at these conventions are few and far between.

One such speech was Reagan at the '76 convention, remember? People went away wondering if perhaps the wrong guy got nominated.

Kerry didn't want to relive that.

"Can anyone remember who spoke memorably at the 2000 convention? For either party? 1996? 1992? 1988? Fact is, memorable speeches at these conventions are few and far between"

2000 - no memorable speakers but we'll never forget the "kiss"
1996 - Elizabeth Dole
1992 - Pat Buchanan (you only said the speech had to be "memorable")
1988 - Ann Richards
1984 - Mario Cuomo

That's the best I can do from memory. I hope I got the election years right.

1988, Bill Clinton first came into the public spotlight, and was remembered as a whindbag, going a half-hour over his allotted hour nomination speech. Judging by the size of his book, some things never change.

I remember at the time thinking that I would be glad never to heard that guy again...now I miss the letch.

My first thought was "Did Rosemary write this?" and I can't get much beyond that. ;)

Ha!

I think I agree with Ara on this one Rosemary - last thing Kerry needs is to be upstaged by Hillary, and that's highly probable.

Could've been handled better. As you point out, she has the credentials.

Which is why I'm sure they decided to put her on the first night. As much space as possible..

She has incredible negatives. Every time she makes a public speech the Republicans see a HUGE increase in financial contributions. Associating with her has both negative and positive implications for Kerry.

Perhaps Kerry thought that distancing from her would help persuade the undecided.

Personally, I see it as a huge win. I think she's probably the most evil person (male or female) in politics and if her presence helps the Republicans raise money, by her speaking at the DNC, it's a bonus for me.

I think the job of 'introducing her husband' is an open insult. I don't like Hillary, but with her having, y'know, done more to draw her pay than either Kerry or Edwards, she deserves a heck of a lot more.

I would think that the person who ought to be insulted here is Barbara Mikulski. She's the Senator who is scheduled to speak as the representative of the female Democratic Senators at the convention. She's served Maryland well for more years than Senator Clinton has been in Washington and, even though I disagree strongly with her politics, is someone who not only has earned a speaking spot but is someone the Democratic party could use as a public voice.

She was also recently outed as a lesbian and save for mostly conservative bloggers, I didn't see beans about it. I'd say they owe her just a little extra for letting her hang in the wind on that, too. But I'd probably be the only one.

Loyalty? Rewarding someone for decades of honorable and generally understated service that's increased the standing of their party measurably? Nah, not for them.

"Every time she makes a public speech the Republicans see a HUGE increase in financial contributions."

Mrs. du Toit - Hear, hear. Thanks for that reminder. I need to contribute & will bide my time until after Hillary speaks, to do my part to reinforce that stat.