Emanuel, Hoyer, Leahy To Address Convention On Tuesday

Denver, CO (AHN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and a prominent anti-abortion advocate will headline the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. Congressional Democratic leaders are also scheduled to address Democrats.

Clinton will address Democrats at the Pepsi Center at about 9 pm local time. She will be making her speech after a convention opening night that made no mention of former President Bill Clinton's legacy - making clear the declaration, according to pundits, that her former rival, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), is the new face of the Democratic party.

Her address coincides with the 88th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. It also comes amid continuing tensions between her supporters and Obama's. With a roll call vote for her on Wednesday that may be replaced by a vote nominating Obama "by acclamation." The state-by-state vote was one of a series of concessions Obama made in the past weeks to assuage Clinton backers and try to unite the party.

In a press conference in Denver on Monday, Clinton acknowledged that there were lingering resentments between her and Obama's supporters but said things would "have been the same" if she won. She added that Democrats were simply following party tradition by holding a roll call vote.

"There is no doubt in anyone's mind that this is Barack Obama's convention, as it should be," the former first lady also said.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner will give the keynote address before Clinton speaks Tuesday night. Warner, a candidate in this year's U.S. Senate race, will be taking up the same prime-time slot that Obama, as a state legislator, was given in the 2004 convention in Boston. He was earlier reported to be in the running as Obama's vice presidential nominee until he declared that he "will not accept" any post other than what he was currently seeking.

Warner's selection as keynote speaker for Aug. 26 emphasizes Obama's efforts to become the first Democrat in four decades to win the 13 electoral votes of Virginia, a red state.

Also speaking are members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, two of several governors invited to the event.

Patrick is a long-time friend of Obama while Rendell is an adamant Clinton supporter who said last week he would vote for the New York senator during the roll vote.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) will address Democrats about "Renewing America's Promise," the theme for the convention's second night.

Lily Ledbetter, the woman whose lawsuit against Goodyear led to the passage of the Fair Pay Restoration Act, will also be part of the program on Tuesday.

Democrats are holding their national convention this year in the Rocky Mountain region for the first time in a century. Michelle Obama and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) kicked off opening night on Monday at the Pepsi Center, where the next two nights will als be held. Thursday night the event moves to a 75,000-seat stadium at Invesco Field at Mile High for Obama's acceptance of the nomination.