Kerry picks fellow veterans for introduction
 |  Former Sen. Max Cleland shakes hands with Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nevada, at a July 2 Veterans for Kerry rally in Las Vegas. |
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has tapped fellow Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia to introduce him during the crowning July 29 session of the Democratic National Convention, the campaign announced Tuesday.
Two former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former Vice President Al Gore are scheduled to address the convention on July 26, its opening night.
Cleland's introduction will highlight the theme of the convention -- "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World." Kerry's swift boat crewmates from his time in Vietnam and his children also will appear on Thursday.
"Obviously we see the convention as a real opportunity to raise John Kerry's profile on the national stage," a Kerry campaign aide said.
"The convention is one of the first times that many Americans will pay close attention to the candidate, and we see this as an opportunity to emphasize Kerry's bio and values, the ticket, and John Kerry's plan for America's future."
Cleland's selection counters the Republican recruitment of Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia to speak at the GOP convention.
Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam, lost his Senate seat in 2002 to former Rep. Saxby Chambliss during a campaign that saw Chambliss run campaign ads against his opponent -- later pulled from broadcast -- featuring images of Osama bin Laden.
Miller, a former Georgia governor, has endorsed President Bush.
The Kerry campaign aide said the opening night of the convention -- July 26 -- would highlight the Kerry-Edwards plan for America's future, and Teresa Heinz Kerry would be the featured speaker on the following night, highlighting Kerry's "lifetime of strength and service."
Then, on Wednesday, July 28, the aide said, Kerry's pick for vice president, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, will speak on the Kerry-Edwards security and defense plans.
Kerry will address the convention on Thursday, after his crewmates, children and Cleland.
Other speakers include Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones of Ohio, Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Rep. Bob Menendez of New Jersey on Monday; Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, Christie Vilsack, wife of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, and Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona on Tuesday; Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Mayor Martin O'Malley of Baltimore and Retired Marine Lt. Col. Steve Brozak of New Jersey on Wednesday.
Elizabeth Edwards will introduce her husband on Wednesday.
