Top 5 Things to Watch Tonight at DNC

8:38 AM, Sep 5, 2012   |    comments
The stage for the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte (image credit Stan Honda/Getty)
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Charlotte (written by David Jackson/USA Today) -- The second day of the Democratic convention features one president -- Bill Clinton -- promoting another -- Barack Obama.

USA TODAY is providing full coverage of the Democratic National Convention online and in print. Check local TV listings for when you can catch the action from the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Here are five things to watch from the Time Warner Cable Arena for Wednesday, Sept. 5:

1) Bubba is back: Observers will be looking to see how much Bill Clinton talks about Obama, and how much he talks about his own record from the 1990s. Also in the back of every Democrat's mind: Will Hillary Rodham Clinton run for president in 2016? The former president speaks last, probably starting after 10:30 p.m.

2) Elizabeth Warren is ready for her close-up: Warren, a Harvard law professor and long-time consumer advocate, is the Democratic nominee in Massachusetts. It's one of the nation's hottest Senate races, and could determine which party controls the chamber. She is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Brown, who won the seat after the death of Edward Kennedy.

3) Locking down the women's vote: Warren is one a series of women speakers at the convention, as Obama seeks to exploit his advantage over Republican challenger Mitt Romney among female voters, using such issues as contraceptives and abortion rights. Among the speakers tonight: Sandra Fluke, who was called a "slut" and "prostitute" by radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh after she testified on behalf of contraception services in health care plans.

4) The "great state" roll call: Officially, the convention is about nominating Obama and Vice President Biden to a second term and to do that, the roll call is required. Obama had no major party opposition in the primary season, so guess who's the favorite? But it's unclear how many TV viewers will see it: The roll call is supposed to begin after Clinton speaks.

5) The arrival: President Obama arrives in Charlotte this afternoon. Will he make a "surprise" appearance at the convention? Perhaps on stage with Bill Clinton? We don't know. We do know Obama will address the convention on Thursday night.


FULL SCHEDULE:

Here's tonight's complete agenda, starting at 5pm:

4:50 PM - 6:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Call to Order

The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa

Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee

Mayor of Los Angeles, California

 

Invocation

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, 10th Episcopal District

First Woman Elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

 

Presentation of Colors

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

National Anthem

Branford Marsalis

Saxophonist, Composer, and, Bandleader

 

Remarks

The Honorable Luis V. Gutierrez

Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois

The Honorable Diana DeGette

Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado

The Honorable John A. Pérez

Speaker and Member of the California State Assembly

The Honorable Thomas M. Menino

Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts

The Honorable Judy Chu

Member of the US House of Representatives, California

Steve Westly

Former State Controller and Chief Financial Officer of California

                                           

An Economy Built to Last Video: Small Business

 

Remarks

The Honorable John Larson

Democratic Caucus Chair and Member of the US House of Representatives, Connecticut

Ken Myers

Deputy Sheriff, Carroll County, Iowa

The Honorable Pedro R. Pierluisi

Chair of National Community Mobilization for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Non-Voting Member of the US House of Representatives, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico

The Honorable Steve Israel

Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Member of the US House of Representatives, New York

 

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Remarks

The Honorable Patty Murray                    

Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Member of the US Senate, Washington

 

An Economy Built to Last Video: Energy

 

Remarks

Tom Steyer

Co-Founder of Advanced Energy Economy

The Honorable Charles E. Schumer

Member of the US Senate, New York

 

Remarks from Members of the Congressional Black Caucus

The Honorable Karen Bass

Member of the US House of Representatives, California

The Honorable Al Green

Member of the US House of Representatives, Texas

The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, II

Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Member of the US House of Representatives, Missouri

The Honorable Dannel Malloy

Governor of Connecticut

Richard Trumka

President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

 

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Remarks

Denise Juneau

Superintendent of the Montana Office of Public Instruction

 

Video and Remarks

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Leader and Member of the US House of Representatives, California

 

Remarks

The Honorable Tom Vilsack

 

Video: Women of the US Senate

 

Women of the US Senate

 

Remarks

The Honorable Barbara Mikulski

Member of the US Senate, Maryland

The Honorable Arne Duncan

 

Progress for People Video: Education

 

American Voices Remarks

Johanny Adames

 

Remarks

The Honorable Jim Hunt

Former and Longest-Serving Governor of North Carolina

 

Remarks and Video in Memoriam

Harvey B. Gantt

Former Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Live Performance

Jessica Sanchez

Singer/Songwriter

 

Stronger Together Video: Women's Health

 

American Voices Remarks

Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Bruce

 

Remarks

Cecile Richards

President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

 

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Remarks

The Honorable Steny Hoyer

Parliamentarian of the 2012 Democratic National Committee Convention

Democratic Whip and Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland

 

American Heroes Video: Veterans

 

American Voices Remarks

Ed Meagher

 

Remarks

The Honorable General Eric Shinseki

The Honorable John Hickenlooper

Governor of Colorado

 

Video: Americans Speak

 

Remarks

Sister Simone Campbell

Executive Director of Roman Catholic Social Justice Organization, NETWORK

The Honorable Jack Markell

Governor of Delaware

 

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Remarks

The Honorable Karen Mills

 

Progress for People Video: Small Business

 

American Voices Remarks

Bill Butcher

 

Remarks

The Honorable Kamala D. Harris

Attorney General of California

 

Stronger Together Video: Immigration

 

Remarks        

Benita Veliz

DREAM Act Activist

Cristina Saralegui

Journalist, Actress, and Talk Show Host

Sandra Fluke

Attorney and Women's Rights Activist

Austin Ligon

Co-Founder and Former CEO of CarMax, Inc.

 

An Economy Built to Last Video: Auto-Industry

 

American Voices Remarks

Karen Eusanio

 

Remarks

Bob King

President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) 

Randy Johnson, Cindy Hewitt, and David Foster

Former Employees at Companies Controlled by Romney's Bain Capital

The Honorable Chris Van Hollen

Former Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland

 

10:00 PM - 11:00 PM (LOCAL)

 

Remarks

Jim Sinegal

Co-Founder and Former CEO of Costco

Elizabeth Warren

Candidate for US Senate, Massachusetts

 

Nomination Process Set-Up

 

Remarks

The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa

Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee

Mayor of Los Angeles, California

 

Bill Clinton Video

 

Remarks

Bill Clinton

42nd President of the United States

 

Closing Segment

 

Roll Call Vote

The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa

Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee

Mayor of Los Angeles, California

Alice Germond

Secretary of the Democratic National Committee

 

Benediction

Rabbi David Wolpe

Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, California

 

Retire Colors

 

Recess