Washington largely silent on national convention stage

Now that both the Republican and Democratic Parties have released the speaking programs for their respective conventions, it has become clear that Washington state will be one of the few states not represented on stage.

It is not a major surprise in the Republican program, given that Washington only has three elected officials in Washington, D.C., and none of theme hold particularly powerful positions within the party. One thing it does mean is that Dino Rossi, who in fact will not even be in St. Paul according to the campaign, will not be to the Republicans in 2008 what Barack Obama was to the Democrats in 2004.

The Democrats' decision is a little more curious, given the large number of top level elected Democrats from the Evergreen State. Their program contains many more speakers than the Republicans, but still top Democrats like Gov. Chris Gregoire and Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray did not make the cut, at least not yet.

Schedules are always subject to change and, of course, neither candidate has chosen their vice presidential candidate yet. An Evergreen Stater can dream.

Be sure to check back with PolitickerWA.com for all your live convention news from on the ground at Denver and St. Paul in the coming weeks.