Is it normal for all the ex candidates to speak?

[vi5]

I don't really remember in the past.

Either way, having Kucinich, Sharpton, etc. speak is great. I'm proud of the party for not shunting them (particularly Sharpton who is such a right wing boogeyman) off to the side, and instead letting them speak in or close to Prime Time.

[bluestateguy]

1. Yes, as long as they endorse the nominee

Jerry Brown did not do that in 1992, so no speech for him.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. .

[havocmom]

2. Show of unity thing

Back in the old days, the nominee was not a sure bet going into most conventions. A way to make nice, save face and remember that the real fight is with the GOP.

[genius]

4. Kucinich was the last one to concede to Kerry. He earned his spot

more than anyone. Sharpton was the second to last.

[flaminbats]

5. yes..

but this is the first convention I remember, in which the main topic of all these candidates was the ticket being endorsed. Often there is at least one holdout, especially in contests as crowded as the last one. In 1992 Jerry Brown was allowed to speak, even though he didn't endorse the Clinton-Gore ticket during the convention.

This kind of unity after a Democratic primary is rare, but fortunate considering Bush has not had a primary challenger.

[PVnRT]

6. As long as

they don't pull a shitfit like Kennedy did in '80, yes, they usually speak, as a shoe of party unity.