Graham to address Republicans on last night of gathering

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn isn't the only South Carolina politician who will get a few moments at the podium during this summer's political conventions: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is scheduled to speak Sept. 4 during the final night of the GOP convention.

Graham, one of the closest Senate allies of John McCain, will be one of about a dozen speakers set to address the convention just before McCain gives his acceptance speech.

Other speakers that night include Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Sen. and former presidential candidate Sam Brownback. The theme for the final evening is "peace."

The preliminary lists of GOP speakers didn't include anyone from South Carolina, but Graham's name was on the list as Republicans unveiled the formal schedule Tuesday.

The 2008 Republican National Convention begins in Saint Paul, Minn., on Monday.

Graham, R-S.C., faces a re-election contest this fall, but his Democratic challenger — Bob Conley of Myrtle Beach — is little known. Conley not only hasn't endorsed Obama, but he has expressed support for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

When Clyburn was asked about that Senate race Tuesday, he said, "The fact of the matter is the South Carolina Democratic Party did not show any interest in mounting any kind of campaign against Lindsey Graham, so nobody is paying attention to that."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.