Young political orators

John Lynch.

If it were up to me, it wouldn't be John Conyers. I'd pick Deval Patrick.

No one comes to mind, but NOT John Lynch. He's a decent enough governor. I hope he'll be the one to finally unseat Judd Gregg come 2010. But he can't give a speech to save his life.

Jim Webb seems like an obvious choice to me.

I like Webb too.

humm. Hadn't thought about this much, but obviously the apparent winner of the primary campaign will choose the person, and that truly colors the choice that they would make.

Obama might just choose Teddy as a way of 'firing them up' and also cementing Kennedy's historical position as a progressive lion. Obama's wife would be an 'interesting' deviation from historical practice. I doubt Obama would want to bring a major oratorical strength among the younger party leaders into a position where he was in any way undercut. And he wouldn't choose an African American (which wipes out my suggestion of his wife) since it would give the party to much of a 'minority' slant.

Hillary? That's a toughie. She, more than Obama, would worry about being outshined by any orator. Maybe the best choice for her is no keynote speaker - as a way of breaking routine of the conventions (which surely have become far to ritualized). She's got to be recalling that Obama became a public figure because of this historical chance. And she clearly can't choose Bill.

Because of the close (at this time) competition this time for the Dems (which will be very very sensitive at the convention, and need healing), I'd choose someone who could recount the Bush record in detail with hard data and devastating links between Bush II and the Repub. candidate (McCain, likely). So maybe Jim Webb would be a good choice.

But, but, but, I think by convention time, the domestic economy will be a far bigger issue than Iraq, so maybe Jim Webb isn't the right choice.

I can't think of a figure that could pull off the Bush/McCain comparison in an effective negative way by focusing on domestic issues - without putting the audience into anesthesia. Brian Beutler! Nah, just kiddin.

Congressman Tim Ryan of Northeastern Ohio. Tremendous speaker, and choosing him would give lie to the claim that anti-abortion voices in the party are always squelched.

David Letterman - if the screenwriter's strike is settled.

If Obama is nominated, the REPUBLICANS will have to make some decisions regarding THEIR keynote speaker. I suggest:

George W. Bush... in blackface.