High-profile speakers to address Maine Dems

BOSTON – Some high-profile speakers, including one who preceded President Bush as governor of Texas, are scheduled to address Maine’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention this week.

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards is to speak to the delegates at a breakfast on Wednesday. Comedian and author Al Franken, brother-in-law of delegate Carla Bryson of Portland, is Monday’s keynoter.

On Tuesday, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine addresses the delegates. Mitchell is also a “superdelegate” from Maine, a designation reserved for the party’s top political leaders.

Political commentator Bill Press, co-host of MSNBC’s “Buchanan and Press” and CNN’s “Crossfire,” will talk to the Maine delegation on Thursday, the convention’s closing day. The speakers will address breakfasts for the 35-member delegation at Boston’s Colonnade Hotel, the state Democratic Party said.