IN a move that could see a potential first lady outshine a former one, Barack Obama's wife has been given a prime-time speaking role at the party's national convention.
Michelle Obama has received top billing on the opening night of the convention, which begins this month in Denver, Colorado, where she will be the prime-time speaker.
The convention will officially crown Senator Obama as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee on the fourth and final night, when he accepts the nomination in front of 75,000 people.
The wives of Democratic nominees have traditionally addressed the convention but Ms Obama is the first to be given headline and prime-time status.
Her opening night address and Senator Obama's acceptance speech will bookend addresses by Senator Hillary Clinton and former president Bill Clinton.
Senator Clinton will be the headline act on the second night of the convention, speaking on the 88th anniversary of American women winning the right to vote.
The former president will take the stage on the third night to introduce the yet-to-be-named vice-presidential nominee.
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"The times, they are a changing."
