Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner will give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama's campaign announced Wednesday.

It is a high profile assignment. Obama gave the keynote in 2004 and grabbed national attention for the first time. Bill Clinton have the keynote in 1988, and, despite poor reviews for an excessively long speech, went on to win the nomination himself four years later. 

Warner, who considered a presidential run himself before dropping out, is instead running for the Senate this year in Virginia. He will give the speeh on Tuesday night, Aug 26, the second night of the convention.

Warner will cap a night designed to showcase Obama's plans to help create jobs and boost the economy.

"As governor of Virginia," the Obama campaign said, "Warner used his experience in business to help deliver jobs and hope to the citizens of Virginia. His work creating jobs in Southwest and Southside Virginia is a model for the rest of the country.

"Like Barack Obama, Mark Warner is not afraid to challenge the status quo to bring perople together and get things moving. It's that kind of spirit and innovation that resulted in his selection as keynote speaker on a night when we will be discussing how to renew America's promise."