2004 DNC gets underway

From the Democratic Party, here's an overview of the convention:

Four Days to Spotlight the Kerry-Edwards Vision for a Nation “Stronger at Home, Respected in the World”

The 2004 Democratic National Convention opens in Boston today with a prime-time focus on the Kerry-Edwards plan for America’s future. A comprehensive agenda to build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world, the Kerry-Edwards plan will strengthen the middle class by creating new and better jobs and keeping American jobs at home, make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans, end our dependence on Mideast oil and strengthen national security.

When the convention gavels open today, it will mark the opening of the most diverse convention in Democratic Party history.

Notable events:

• The first ever Veterans Caucus in Democratic Party History;
  
• The first in a series of video moments featuring families and individuals talking about how John Kerry has touched their lives;
  
• First of nightly “Mosaic of Americans” segments satelliting Americans from across the country into the hall;
  
• Former Kerry Crewmate Rev. David Alston speaks about his experience serving with Kerry;
  
• John Edwards and John Kerry talk about health care and their plan for the future as they continue to blaze America’s Freedom Trail into Boston at separate campaign stops in Cape Canaveral, FL and Raleigh, NC.
  

“This convention will tell the story of John Kerry and John Edwards, and their plan to make us stronger at home and respected in the world,” said Kerry-Edwards Campaign Manager Mary Beth Cahill. “Today we share with America the Kerry-Edwards plan for America’s future – an optimistic plan that says together, we can do better. We can have an economy that strengthens the middle class and keeps jobs here in America. We can have a health care system with lower costs that is accessible for all. We can end our dependence on Mideast oil and create good jobs in the process. A plan that says America is safer when we are respected in the world and will make this country more secure by reforming intelligence, strengthening our military and investing in homeland security.”

On Monday, featured speakers will highlight key elements of the Kerry-Edwards optimistic plan for America’s future, including: Representative Stephanie Tubbs-Jones of Ohio who will talk about the plan to create new and better jobs at home and a stronger economy for the middle class, Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin who will discuss the plan to create affordable and available health care for all Americans, and Representative Bob Menendez of New Jersey who will discuss the Kerry-Edwards’ plans to strengthen America’s position in the world.

Veterans will convene the first ever Veterans Caucus at a Democratic convention. Led by notable veterans like Wesley Clark, Senator Max Cleland, Senator Bob Kerry and General Tony McPeak, there are over 500 veteran delegates attending this year’s convention and thousands more organizing behind John Kerry’s commitment to keep America’s commitment to those who wear our uniform.

Rev. David Alston will be a featured speaker. A former crewmate of Kerry’s, Alston will address the convention, relaying his experience serving with John Kerry.

In a special program appearance, workers from Canton, OH’s Timken Co will satellite into the convention hall, emphasizing the Kerry-Edwards commitment to create good paying jobs and build the economy of the future. Their appearance is part of a nightly effort to bring the faces of America into the convention hall.

Putting the plan front and center, Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro will introduce the Democratic Party’s Platform during the first day’s afternoon session.

Today Kerry and Edwards are on the campaign trail sharing their plan for America’s future at separate campaign events in Cape Canaveral, FL and Raleigh, NC. Both candidates are on day four of their journey to Boston along America’s Freedom Trail, a trail they are blazing from Kerry’s birthplace of Aurora, CO to America’s birthplace of Boston.

The Kerry-Edwards Plan for America’s Future

John Kerry and John Edwards are a new team for America – an experienced team with an optimistic plan to build an America that is stronger at home and respected abroad. Together, their plan for America’s future will strengthen the middle class by creating new and better jobs and keeping American jobs at home, make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans, make us independent from Mideast oil and restore America’s respect in the world.