Sebelius lays out convention themes

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) on Monday announced the themes for this month’s convention, which the party is calling “America’s Townhall.”

Sebelius said the first night, keynoted by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s (Ill.) wife Michelle, will highlight Obama’s biography and the theme “America at a Crossroads.”

{mosads}The town hall theme will include camera crews in swing states around the country, who will film voters voicing their concerns and views. Those clips will then be aired at the convention. Sebelius, a co-chairwoman of the Democratic convention and a possible running mate for Obama, said the goal is to involve as many Americans as possible.

The Tuesday theme, keynoted by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), is titled “Renewing America’s Promise” and focused on economic issues.

On Wednesday, Obama’s vice presidential candidate will address “the contributions and incredible service of America’s veterans” and foreign policy issues, Sebelius said.

And on Thursday, Obama will continue to push his theme of change when he accepts the nomination in front of 75,000 people at Invesco Field at Denver’s Mile-High Stadium.

Sebelius and Obama adviser Anita Dunn said they were not yet releasing details about when former President Bill Clinton will speak.

Sebelius and Dunn also said nothing should be read into the theme on the night that Obama’s running mate is scheduled to speak. They said that every potential running mate has a speaking slot, and the theme of Thursday night does not necessarily mean that Obama is planning to tap a military veteran as his vice presidential nominee.