Elizabeth Warren to open for Bill Clinton at Democratic convention

— -- Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren announced late Monday that she is slated to open for former President Bill Clinton at this summer's Democratic National Convention.

"It will be an honor to share the convention stage with President Clinton on Wednesday, and to talk about what is happening to America's families," Warren said in a statement released by the Democratic National Convention Committee. "I grew up in a hardworking family, in an America that was investing in kids like me. President Obama is committed to making sure that America has a level playing field for all our families and to ensuring that every kid has the opportunity to make it."

"She was asked to speak because President Obama knows that Elizabeth is one of the strongest advocates for what's at stake for the middle class-- and our shared vision to move the country forward," Mindy Myers, Warren's campaign manager, informed supporters in a fundraising email shortly after the news broke.

Earlier Monday, sources confirmed that Clinton had been chosen to headline the Wednesday Sept. 5 evening lineup at the convention in Charlotte, N.C. Warren and Clinton will be competing for viewership with the NFL season opener that night. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are slated to address the convention the following night, Sept. 6.

Warren is locked in what is expected to be perhaps the most expensive and most hotly contested Senate race in the country against Republican Sen. Scott Brown this year.

The national party and various party committees have made the race a priority, but outside groups are barred from spending any money on Warren's contest due to the candidates' joint decision to ban outside spending. Offering Warren a primetime speaking engagement at the convention elevates Warren nationally without violating that ban.