Preliminary events for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) is starting today, but its tomorrow where business gets serious, capping the night off with the first Latino keynote speaker.
The DNC is taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina between Sept. 4 and 6, and the Democrats are doing what they can to make sure they have the better convention of all political parties. Similar to the 2008 DNC, the events will expand two large venues. The first two days will take place at the Time Warner Cable Arena, and close the day at the Bank of American Stadium where President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden formally accept the Democratic Party's nomination.
Although the speaker's time and dates have not been revealed yet, unlike the Republican National Convention organizers which times and dates were released early, the names of the speakers have been released and recently updated during the weekend.
Latinos Post did contact the Democratic National Committee as to when the specific times of each speaker will be released, but no response has been given yet.
What is confirmed, regarding timing, is First Lady Michelle Obama. She is set to be part of multiple events during the DNC, starting off with her scheduled speech set for 10:35 p.m. EDT.
First Lady Michelle Obama's DNC Schedule
Tues., Sept. 4:
10:35 p.m. EDT: First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena
Wed., Sept. 5:
10:50 a.m. EDT: First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at the African American Caucus Meeting at the Charlotte Convention Center.
11:20 a.m. EDT: First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at the Hispanic Caucus Meeting at Charlotte Convention Center.
12:40 p.m. EDT: First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers Remarks at the Human Rights Campaign/Victory Fund Luncheon Honoring LGBT Elected Officials at the Marriott City Center in Raleigh.
Evening: First Lady Michelle Obama Attends Democratic National Convention Evening Program at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
Thurs., Sept. 6:
Morning: First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Participate in USO Service Project at the Charlotte Convention Center.
11:35 a.m. EDT: First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Speak at the Women's Caucus Meeting at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Evening: First Lady Michelle Obama Attends DNCC Evening Program at the Bank of America Stadium
The DNC will be streaming live (see below), and can be seen here if the video below isn't broadcasting. Another first is the DNC will be streamed live in Spanish.
"From day one, we set out to engage more Americans than ever before, and our digital outreach is just another way that we are delivering on that mission," said DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan. "Having a Spanish-language web page ensures that more people can have access to the most open and accessible convention in history."
A special web-exclusive convention special at 8 p.m. EDT will feature actor Kal Penn host "Live from Charlotte" which will include interviews with campaign officials and guests Marc Anthony, Elizabeth Banks, Aisha Tyler, Fran Drescher, and more.
English Live Streaming:
Spanish Live Streaming:
Performers for the DNC range from classic '70s band Earth, Wind and Fire to modern rockers Foo Fighters.
Performances at the 2012 Democratic National Convention:
Tues., Sept. 4 (Time Warner Cable Arena)
DJ Cassidy
Ledisi
Amber Riley (national anthem)
Wed., Sept. 5 (Time Warner Cable Arena)
DJ Cassidy
Jessica Sanchez
Branford Marsalis (national anthem)
Thurs., Sept. 6 (Bank of America Stadium)
Foo Fighters
Mary J. Blige
Earth, Wind and Fire
James Taylor
Delta Rae
Inspire the Fire
Marc Anthony (national anthem)
Confirmed Speakers:
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin
Congressman Xavier Becerra of California
Newark Mayor Cory Booker
Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina
Former President Jimmy Carter (via video)
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who will be the first Latino keynote speaker at a Democratic National Convention
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee
Congresswoman Judy Chu of California
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri
Former President Bill Clinton
Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina
Former Republican Governor of Florida Charlie Crist
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina Walter Dalton
The Honorable Arne Duncan
Congresswoman Diana DeGette of Colorado
Former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois
Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Georgetown Law School Graduate Sandra Fluke
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx
Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts
Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt
Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez of Texas
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina
California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland
Former Governor of North Carolina Jim Hunt
DCCC Chairman Congressman Steve Israel of New York
Montana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau
Former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine
Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (ret.)
Congressman John Larson of Connecticut
Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California
Congressman John Lewis of Georgia
CarMax co-founder and former CEO Austin Ligon
President of NARAL Pro-Choice America Nancy Keenan
Caroline Kennedy
U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts
Women's rights activist Lilly Ledbetter
Obama Campaign Co-Chair Eva Longoria
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy
Delaware Governor Jack Markell
Boston Mayor Tom Menino
The Honorable Karen Mills
U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, together with the women of the U.S. Senate
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will also lead a presentation of the women of the House:
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of New York
Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz of Pennsylvania
Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Joyce Beatty of Ohio
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii
California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez
Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado
Congressman David Price of North Carolina
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada
President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund Cecile Richards
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
The Honorable Ken Salazar
Journalist Cristina Saralegui
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal
Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
Los Angeles Mayor, Democratic Convention Chair Antonio Villaraigosa
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Senate candidate from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren
DNC Chair Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida
Congressman Mel Watt of North Carolina
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