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Missouri's junior senator was chosen to speak in primetime by presumptive nominee Barack Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

McCaskill says she's excited.

"I'm thrilled, my family is very excited. My mother has not gotten off the phone since they called because I think she's calling everyone she's ever known in her life, and obviously I'm a little nervous about it. I've never spoken in front of 21,000 people before, say nothing of a prime-time audience, but it is a great honor."

McCaskill is slated to speak on opening night of the convention next Monday.

Justin Hamilton is the Missouri Press Secretary for Senator Obama's Campaign.

He says McCaskill's progressive beliefs are similar to Obama's and that made her a good choice to speak at the convention.

"He places great emphasis and importance on the ideas that she has and the policy proposals and the vision they share for moving America and Missouri forward."

As the theme of opening night will be "one nation", McCaskill's speech will be about the efforts of a changing Democratic Party to reach across the aisle to Republicans and Independents.

KSMU will also be following speeches by Missouri elected officials at the Republican National Convention.

For KSMU news, I'm Benjamin Fry

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