Senator Obama gave the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. And it was a terrific speech. They almost all are. But no one who has given a keynote address at a party's national convention, in the modern era of politics, has gone on to earn that party's nomination for President. Here is the history:
Year | Democrat | Republican |
2004 | Barack Obama | Zell Miller |
2000 | Harold Ford, Jr. | Colin Powell & John McCain |
1996 | Evan Bayh | Susan Molinari |
1992 | George McGovern | Pat Buchanan |
1988 | Ann Richards | Thomas Kean |
1984 | Mario Cuomo | Katherine Ortega |
1980 | Ted Kennedy | Guy Vander Jagt |
1976 | Barbara Jordan | Howard Baker |
1972 | (Cannot determine) | Anne Armstrong |
1968 | Daniel Inouye | (None designated) |
As you can see, there are some pretty significant names on those lists. Colin Powell. John McCain. Evan Bayh. Ann Richards. Mario Cuomo. Ted Kennedy. George McGovern gave the keynote speech only after he had run for President (and failed). Barack Obama would be the first keynote speaker to use that highly-visible platform to go on to become the party's nominee.
For whatever reason, the keynote speaker address seems to carry the Best New Artist curse. It's an honor and a tremendous opportunity, but for whatever reason, no one who's done it has gone on to play for all the marbles.
1 comment:
["But I predict that despite his great charisma, powerful rhetorical ability, and center-left positioning on the issues of the day, he will not succeed. Why?"]
The Clintons will grind him into the ground.
center-left! how about leftist
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