Clinton Gets The Nod Tonight

By Bridget Hall/AllPolitics

CHICAGO (Aug. 28) -- President Bill Clinton will be renominated tonight as the Democratic National Convention moves toward its inevitable conclusion. Tonight's speakers will echo the job creation and toxic waste clean-up programs that Clinton will hype today from his 21st Century Express train.

Vice President Al Gore

Vice President Al Gore will bask in part of the spotlight Thursday with his acceptance speech, but environmental activist Gore will take the podium tonight. Gore embodies the environmental concerns that Clinton expounded today, and he could also tout Clinton's support of Food and Drug Administration regulation of nicotine as a drug. Tobacco became one of Gore's pet issues in June when he began attacking GOP nominee Robert Dole for questioning whether smoking was addictive.

Delegates also have their eyes on Gore for 2000, and the vice president's back-to-back, prime time appearances reaffirm his prominent place in the party. His primary task is to solidify the party's support behind Clinton, but any political gains he makes for himself could come in handy in four years.

Sen. Christopher Dodd

As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd heads Clinton's cheerleading squad and is a natural for making the speech to renominate the president. But Dodd strongly opposed the welfare reform legislation Clinton signed last week, an ideological schism the senator will address. Dodd also did the nominating honors in 1984 for former Sen. Gary Hart, who was later edged out of the party's nomination by former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Mayor Dennis Archer

Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer chairs the Platform Committee with Rep. Barbara Kennelly (Conn.) and will second the renomination of Clinton.

Presentation by Democratic Women of the Senate

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Md.)
Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (Ill.)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.)

The Democrats hope to capitalize on the gender gap -- polls show women voters prefer Clinton to Dole -- by presenting the five Democratic women senators who will each discuss a single issue. Mikulski will speak about the Family and Medical Leave Act; Moseley-Braun will discuss the Challenge Grant; Feinstein will address the Brady Bill and assault weapons ban; Murray will talk about education programs; and Boxer will discuss clean air and healthy water.

Rep. Bill Richardson

Rep. Bill Richardson (N.M.), chief deputy minority whip, is a rising Democrat making a prime time appearance. Richardson's strongest asset at the podium will be the pro-environment, heavily Democratic and predominantly minority district he represents.

Not-Quite Prime-Timers:

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) will speak about the environment.
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will discuss health care.
Ellen Malcom will address women's issues.
Sen. Kent Conrad (N.D.) will talk about the budget.
Rep. Vic Fazio (Calif.) will speak about the budget and tax cuts.
Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.) will address jobs.
Nevada Gov. Bob Miller will discuss crime.
Joe Lieberman will talk about defense and security.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will address workers.
Lois DeBerry will talk about families.
Colorado Gov. Roy Romer will discuss education.