Dems pick 14 ‘everyday Americans’ to speak in Denver

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced Friday that 14 “everyday Americans” will join Democratic leaders in speaking during prime time at next week’s Denver gathering.

The speakers run the gamut in economic and social status, as well as party affiliation. Wednesday night will feature a former Air Force medic who served in Iraq and is a registered Republican, but who says he is “inspired” by Obama’s desire to “restore our country’s standing in the world.”

{mosads}The one thing nearly all the speakers have in common is that they reside in potential swing states. Residents of Indiana, Louisiana, Iowa, North Carolina, North Dakota, Michigan, Nevada and Florida will speak at the convention.

Residents from the traditional Democratic strongholds of California and the District of Columbia will also address the delegates.

The lineup of speakers is related to the daily convention themes.

On Wednesday, for example, the theme of the convention is “securing America’s future.” The five people chosen for that night are active or retired military personnel and, in one case, the spouse of a Marine who will be deployed to the Middle East shortly.

None of the 14 picked will join Obama and former Vice President Al Gore in speaking on Thursday night.