Mark Warner to Give DNC Keynote Speech

Looks like former Virginia Governor Mark Warner has been tapped to deliver the keynote address at this year's Democratic Convention in Denver.

Warner considered a presidential run early in 2007, then was widely discussed as a potential running mate for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, but finally decided to pursue the open Senate seat in Virginia instead.

Oddly enough, Warner will be one of a very few Democratic keynote speakers in recent memory who is not African-American. Here are the previous honorees, their races, and what they're doing now…

2004: Illinois State Senator Barack Obama (African-American). Currently still involved in politics in some way, I'm not exactly sure.

2000: Tennessee Representative Harold Ford, Jr. (African-American). Ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, lost narrowly, and is currently an MSNBC talking head.

1996: Indiana Governor Evan Bayh (not technically African-American, but he loved "Soul Plane.") Currently definitely not trying to be the Vice President, that's for sure, although if someone asked he wouldn't necessarily say no.

1992: Texas Representative Barbara Jordan (African-American). Currently deceased, but has an airport terminal named after her. And that' something.

So, if history is any indicator, Warner has a big future to look forward to. And, who knows, if the Dems fall short this November, maybe he can even be the first black president.

Tags: Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention, Evan Bayh, Harold Ford Jr., Mark Warner, Virginia