There are stories and diaries on who will/should or not speak at the Conventions.
For Republicans, Bush will likely speak early then rushed out of Minnesota. Cheney will stay in his bunker.
On the Democrat side we have Hillary doing Tuesday evening and at least one dairy at this side saying Edwards should join Cheney in the bunker.
I'd expect past Presidents to make an appearance. Daddy Bush? Maybe but he will remind people of his wayward offspring. What role Bill Clinton will most likely play is still to be decided.
But no one is talking about Jimmy Carter? For some of we older folk, Reagan and Republicans defined Carter as the devil himself. Earlier this year, McCain even accused Obama of wanting take us back to the Carter years.
Even Democrats have bought into the Republican meme about Carter. But could it be time to reintroduce President Carter and his foresight to the American people.
First, Carter was right about energy policy. He tried to promote conservation and alternative sources of energy. He even installed solar panels on the White House. He funded research for turning shale into coal (ironically, my democrats and environmentalists opposed this idea) that President Reagan shut down. Best of all, Carter raised CAFÉ standards. With energy being such a campaign issue it makes sense to show that Democrats have been out front on energy while Republicans have jumped into bed with Big Oil.
Second, younger people know President Carter as the best ex-President in recent history. He does not do big money speeches to enhance his personal wealth. President Carter builds homes for the working poor.
Third, Carter was a Navy man and is a dedicated Christian (Habitat for Humanity is a Christian group). It never hurts to show the American public that Democrats serve in the armed forces and are followers of Satan.
Downside - Republicans will bring up the high inflation during Carter’s term. They might even try to blame Bush’s Invasion of Iraq on Carter because he was not tough enough - while this is insane do not underestimate the public's gullibility.