Deval Patrick and Sen. John F. Kerry will give key

speeches at DNC

Massachusetts will be well represented at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver as Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. John F. Kerry will give key speeches on consecutive nights, officials announced yesterday.

Patrick, a longtime pal and political ally of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, will speak Tuesday night before Sen. Hillary Clinton’s prime-time talk. The night’s theme is “Renewing America’s Promise” and Virginia Gov. Mark Warner is the keynote speaker.

Wednesday, Kerry will speak on national security issues alongside a who’s who of Dem heavyweights, including former President Bill Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Joe Biden (D-Delaware). Obama’s yet-to-be-named vice-presidential pick will give a prime-time speech.

The four-day DNC kicks off Monday with a keynote speech by Obama’s wife, Michelle, and a tribute to Bay State Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who completed late last month aggressive cancer treatment for a brain tumor. Sources close to Kennedy said he is not expected to make the trip to Denver but could change his mind, depending on his health.

Former President Jimmy Carter and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. are among Monday’s speakers while Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy will give an address Tuesday. The weeklong bash, which is also expected to draw hundreds of celebrities, culminates with an acceptance speech by Obama Thursday before 70,000 at Denver’s Invesco Field.