Sen. Barbara Mikulski was furious at the Kerry campaign for botching Hillary Clinton's appearance at the upcoming Democratic Party convention, and played a significant role in forcing Sen. Kerry to offer Clinton a more prominent role.
The Maryland Democrat told the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that she had gone "volcanic" after the convention organizers failed to publicize an appearance by Clinton and eight other female senators planned for the first night of the convention.
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On Wednesday, after the flap over the Clinton snub erupted, Kerry campaign officials cited the segment as an acceptable substitute for giving Mrs. Clinton a speaking role.
"We are pleased that Senator Clinton will be part of a very special segment featuring all the women senators on Monday night," Kerry campaign spokesman Luis Vizcaino said. "Senator Barbara Mikulski will speak on behalf of the group for this segment. The group as a whole decided how they would like to participate in the convention."
But Mikulski wasted no time in dispelling the notion that Hillary's appearance as part of a group of nine would be enough.
"I think the Kerry campaign knows they dropped the ball," she told the New York Times, after making what the paper described as her "extreme displeasure" well known to officials at Kerry campaign headquarters.
By midday Thursday Kerry had caved to the pressure and invited the New York Democrat to introduce her husband, ex-President Clinton, at the convention. She readily agreed.
"Senator Clinton is honored and delighted to have the opportunity to address the convention, and she will continue to do everything she can to elect John Kerry and John Edwards," her spokesman Philippe Reines said.
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Presidential Conventions
2004 Elections
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