DENVER – Hillary Rodham Clinton isn't the only also-ran on the loose in Denver. Three officials who were mentioned as possible running mates for Barack Obama but didn't make it onto the ticket got a chance to address the Democratic convention Wednesday night.

Cue the music for Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, and Texas Rep. Chet Edwards:

 Bayh, a former Indiana governor who now represents his state in the Senate, was in the running to the end, when Senate colleague Joe Biden of Delaware emerged as Obama's choice. Bayh originally supported Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries and was selected as part of the effort to unify the party behind Obama. Bayh is a member of both the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, and was an early supporter of the Iraq war.

Bayh, the first of the three to speak, criticized President Bush's handling of U.S. and foreign affairs, and he followed the Democratic play book by saying Republican Sen. John McCain would just continue those policies.

“The time for change has come, and Barack Obama is the change we need,” Bayh said.

 Reed's name was among those circulating as possible vice presidential choices largely because his resume has what Obama's doesn't: a background in defense and foreign affairs. Reed is a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who serves on the Armed Services Committee.

He traveled with Obama late last month to Iraq and Afghanistan, which fueled speculation that he could be considered as a running mate. He told reporters later that the trip showed Obama can navigate international affairs with competence. “It wasn't just a photo op and social chitchat,” he said of the trip.

“There is a clear choice in this election,” Reed said. “For eight years, John McCain has fallen in line with every one of George Bush's national security decisions, and now he offers up four more years of the same failed policies. Barack Obama has proven that he has the judgment to deliver the change we need.”

 Edwards, who represents central Texas, also was in the running. His star began to rise after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California began promoting him. During a televised interview, she said: “I hope he will be the nominee.”

Edwards, chairman of a House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction, voted to give Bush authority to send troops to Iraq. He also has championed funding for military veterans. He told the convention that Obama will “make better health care and benefits for veterans a higher priority than tax cuts for Exxon-Mobil and the wealthiest Americans.”

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had been scheduled to address the convention Wednesday, but his remarks were pushed to Thursday after the program fell behind schedule.

The nation's only Hispanic governor, Richardson also sought the presidential nomination, bringing a resume rich with congressional, executive and foreign affairs experience to the race before dropping out after the first two contests.