Well, according to the Boston Globe, that's the latest rumor.
The crowds at political conventions feast on partisan red meat, and they could end up with a bellyful when the Republicans and Democrats meet back to back beginning late next month.An Obama campaign official confirmed to the Globe Wednesday that US Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren is being considered as a possible keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
It would give the Massachusetts Democrat a national platform for her high-profile race against Senator Scott Brown, the same launch pad that Barack Obama used to vault into the public consciousness when he was an Illinois state Senator and was tapped to be the keynote speaker at the 2004 party meeting in Boston.
Other than the presidential and vice presidential nomination acceptance speeches, the keynote address is considered the gathering’s prime speaking opportunity.
Warren, not unexpectedly, is staying mum on the subject, refusing to say publicly whether or not she’s being considered for the prestigious speaking engagement.
Warren demurred when the topic was broached Tuesday night, as she appeared at a political forum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.“I got into this race not because I’m a lifetime politician, not because, you know, this was a great career move for me,” she said as the audience laughed. But moderator Christopher Lydon interrupted her.
“Could be, could be. You going to be the keynoter at the Democratic National Convention?” he asked.
As the audience again chuckled, Warren herself gave a laugh before ignoring the question.
“So for me, what this is about is about these key principles that are at stake,” she said.
The Obama campaign official, who requested anonymity to discuss internal campaign deliberations, emphasized that no formal invitations have been extended to any potential convention speakers.
As the Charlotte Observer points out -- and as you probably remember -- a charismatic, up-and-coming Illinois state Senator named Barack Obama gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Four years later, of course, he became the 44th President of the United States. In other words, if Elizabeth Warren was chosen to deliver the keynoter this year, it would not only help her defeat incumbent Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) by, among other things, increasing her name recognition, but also indicate party elders genuinely believe she is a rising progressive star. (Incidentally, the first poll of the 2016 Iowa presidential Caucuses shows Elizabeth Warren fourth in the Democratic field). Not bad for a relatively unknown Senate candidate from Massachusetts who has never run for, let alone held, elected office.
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