Richardson Gets Bumped, Now Speaking Thursday At DNC

Gov. Bill Richardson is scheduled to speak Thursday evening at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, one night after getting bumped from a prime-time spot in the festivities.

Democratic party officials asked Richardson to deliver his speech Thursday because Wednesday night's events were running over on time.

The governor was supposed to speak not long after former President Bill Clinton delivered his own speech Wednesday, formally endorsing Obama, and just before vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., took the stage.

Richardson is expected to speak to a much larger live crowd Thursday at Invesco Field in Denver, which holds 75,000 people.

Despite the bigger venue, Richardson's remarks may not reach as many people around the country because he's scheduled to address the audience much earlier in the evening, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Mountain time. That's at least two hours before Barack Obama takes the podium and long before ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox start broadcasting live convention coverage.

A long list of speakers and performers are scheduled to follow Richardson's speech, including former Vice President Al Gore, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and three members of Congress.

A spokesman for Richardson, Pahl Shipley, said when asked by convention officials if he wouldn't mind moving his speech to the final night, Richardson was willing. Shipley said speaking Thursday night will be a great opportunity for the governor.

The nation's only Hispanic governor, Richardson also sought the presidential nomination. He brought a resume rich with congressional, executive and foreign affairs experience to the race before dropping out after the first two contests.

He was once mentioned as a possible running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama but didn't make it onto the ticket.

Richardson endorsed Obama in March, describing the Illinois senator as a "once-in-a-lifetime" leader.