The presidential election isn't entirely about Pennsylvania. But sometimes, it feels that way.
Last week, the Democratic Party announced that Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and Gov. Edward Rendell would be featured speakers next Tuesday during the second night of the Democratic Convention. Now comes word that another Pennsylvanian, first-term Rep. Patrick Murphy of Bucks County, will be speaking on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The theme that night is "Securing America's Future," and Murphy fits right in as the first veteran of the Iraq War to serve in Congress. He also was an early and enthusiastic backer of Barack Obama, who helped Murphy get elected two years ago. In fact, until Casey endorsed Obama, Murphy qualified as Obama's most prominent supporter in Pennsylvania. Both men have long been advocates of setting a firm timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Murphy may not show up in the network coverage next Wednesday night; the still unnamed vice-presidential nominee will be the featured attraction. But being given this slot is a pretty big deal. At the moment, only two other House members are scheduled to speak during the convention. One of them is Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the other House Majority Whip James Clyburn.




