Showtime at the Pepsi Center - Democratic Convention

In a conference call with reporters, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Co-Chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, previewed the nightly themes for what she promised will be "an exciting and innovative convention, one like we've never seen before in America."

Sebelius said:

From Monday through Thursday, our convention program will highlight the people of this country who want positive change and who believe Barack Obama is the leader who will listen to their concerns and get our country moving in the right direction again.

The nightly gathering of delegates, elected officials, speakers and just plain folks will "focus on discussions that matter to Americans as they sit around their kitchen table." The discussion will be highlighted by that evening's keynote speaker.

Monday: One Nation
Michelle Obama will be the headline speaker. She will lead the discussion on America at a crossroads and tell Barack Obama's story, the story of "a new leader who is ready to serve America."

Tuesday: Renewing America's Promise
Sen. Hillary Clinton will be the headline speaker. Clinton's speech will focus on rebuilding the middle class, and the economic challenges and issues that are important to Americans who are losing their jobs and their homes, and struggling with the cost of college and health care.

Wednesday: Securing America's Future
The headline speaker will be Obama's vice presidential nominee who will be announced before the convention. The discussion will focus on the contributions and services of veterans, and a "smart, new foreign policy that will make us secure at home and move past divisiveness."

Thursday: Change You Can Believe In
The show will move to Invesco Field at Mile High, where Barack Obama will give his acceptance speech before more than 75,000 people.

Sebelius deferred questions about Obama's VP pick to the campaign. Still, she offered:

I made it clear that I would be enthusiastic about doing anything I can to help Obama be elected President of the United States. We need a leader like him to take over the helm of this country and bring about the change that's desperately needed.

It was also made clear that Hillary's Tuesday night speech does not necessarily take her out of the veepstakes. Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to the Obama campaign, said:

Every potential VP choice has a speaker's slot. Nothing should be read into themes, issues or ideas. There is an array of talent out there.

Obama will announce his running mate via text message and email. To be "the first to know," text VP to 62262 or sign up here.

Our Lens Sept. 1

Hector Jackson (C), who impersonates the late US pop star Michael Jackson, gestures while he takes part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29. Up to 15,000 people are expected to take part in a potentially record breaking mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51.

Omar Torres, AFP/ Getty Images

A long line of fire marches west towards the communities of Acton and Sunland-Tujanga on August 31 in Los Angeles, California. At least 18 homes were destroyed and 12,000 more homes and 500 commercial buildings are being threatened in the fire which already took two lives. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near a ranger station and the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Venus Williams of the United States reaches for a shot against Vera Dushevina of Russia during day one of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A Kenyan Muslim child reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa (Religion School), in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, where observants fast from dawn till dusk.

Sayyid Azim, AP

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center on August 28, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Host Vanessa Williams performs with dancer Gilles Marini onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, in Los Angeles, California.

Jesse Grant, WireImage

A girl plays with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year.

Alberto Saiz, AP

Tom Wainaina recounts the events that lead to his being burned over most of his upper body August 26 in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Wainaina was burned by a group of men during post-election violence in Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential election. Ethnic-tribal violence left over 1,000 people dead. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern, in cooperation with local Kenyan groups, has launched a campaign to provide the urban poor with cash grants to start a business or get back on their feet after suffering disproportionately from post-election violence in 2007. The money is transferred to the recipients via a mobile phone which insures a safe and simple financial transaction to customers who don?t have bank accounts. Wainaina is one of dozens of Kibera residents to receive the assistance of a cash grant. Hairdressers, grocery stores and food vendors are just some of the businesses that have been financed through the program.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

People standing near the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) look at the grave of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) at Arlington National Cemetery August 30, in Arlington, Virginia. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was buried yesterday next to his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) after he died of brain cancer on August 25.

Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images

US President Barack Obama takes out his daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) and niece Suhaila Ng (L) to shop in the Alleys general store on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2009.

Jewel Samad, AFP/ Getty Images

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