Ex-Democrat who seconded President Obama’s 2008 nomination to speak at Republican National Convention
Former Alabama Representative Artur Davis, the ex-Democrat who seconded President Obama’s nomination at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, will speak at this month’s Republican National Convention in support of Mitt Romney.
The Washington Post reported Davis’s speaking role Thursday. Davis told the Post he will represent millions of disillusioned Americans who expected more from a president who campaigned on hope and change.
“The one thing that I can bring to the table is to be something of a voice for that group of people,” Davis said.
“President Obama — Senator Obama — ran on two broad themes,” Davis added. “One of those broad themes was reunifying this country. And another broad theme was turning this economy around ... . I’ll certainly be talking about those two failures.”
Davis served in the House from 2003 to 2011 and was an early Obama backer. During his address to the DNC in 2008, he said Obama’s election would bring the country closer to becoming “a place where all of the things that may hold you back pose no permanent barriers, where our destiny is what our God and our dreams determine it to be.”
In May, Davis announced he was changing parties to become a Republican.
Other GOP convention speakers announced Thursday included some of the politicians who were considered possible running mates for Romney: New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.
Callum Borchers can be reached at callum.borchers@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @callumborchers.
