More photographs below the fold. Governor Ngo and Tim Kaine to the left. Ha ha.
When I first walked in, brushing the clumps of snow accumulating on my shoulder, I was rather baffled at the sight of a flower show, and took 10 minutes to realize the Democrats were across the street. Snatching my press pass of the desk, I put it on and went in the ballroom. Governor Tim Kaine mused how terrible weather follows him everywhere since the rainyinauguration in Williamsburg. An overwhelming aura of confidence filled the ballroom of the Greater Richmond Convention Center, in spite of the slushy mess outside and the snowfall back in Fairfax. Battling the wintry mess were a thousand of the Old Dominion's Democrats, seated at 106 tables, gathering for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.
In the lobby outside the second floor ballroom was a bluegrass band brought in by Senate candidate James Webb, supplementing the din of a crowd of politicos. The band will be traveling with James Webb as he stumps for the nomination across the state. Getting in on a press pass, of course, means that you get in free, but don't get fed. Nevertheless, I was able to mooch off a dinner roll, two glasses of iced tea, and a slice of chocolate cake from a half-occupied table in the back. Party chairman Dick Cranwell expressed his regret that Mark Warner couldn't be there, saying with a slight smile that he was "in New Hampshire." Warner 2008 was an underlying theme to the dinner, this line was followed by much cheering. The festivities began with the parade of legislators, each Democrat having their name announced as they walked through the side door and waded their way to their seat.The Delegates, introduced by caucus chair Brian Moran, came first.
Riding off a string of special election victories, Brian Moran telling of wins "from the suburbs to the hometown of Jerry Falwell." Delegate Shannon Valentine (D-Lynchburg), plucking off a seat in Lynchburg last month, was greeted with a huge cheer as she walked through the door, as was Mark Herring. David Poisson (D-Sterling), introduced as "the man who took out Dick Black", also received a large cheer in absentia. Jim Scott moved out of the way, lest he be mistaken for the Wackjob Slayer from Sterling. The rest of our class of freshman Delegates received an extra warm welcome: David Bulova (D-Fairfax Station), Chuck Caputo (D-Chantilly), David Englin (D-Alexandria), Dave Marsden (D-Burke), Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond), Donald McEachin (D-Richmond), David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), and Roslyn Tyler (D-Jaratt). The Senators were introuduced by Mary Margaret Whipple, who spoke of his donkey named Harry S Truman. Finally, a triumphant Governor Tim Kaine, wife Anne Holton at his side, came through the crowd. "We are fighting for your values," Delegate Moran continued, "We are fighting for Virginia values."
Our elected officials took their seats. A Muslim schloar from the University of Virginia delivered the benediction, followed by victorious Senator Mark Herring, taking out Dick Black's son-in-law, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and part of the Richmond Girls Choir made it to the stage. Led by Ramon Moore, a Richmond City Public Schools teacher, they sang America, the Beautiful. The crowd joined in for a verse, and soloist Maya Thompson serenaded the ballroom. After this, the program was shaken up a bit. Keynote speaker Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell flew down to Richmond to discover that his flight up had been canceled by the weather ("Those of us in elected office really have no life," he mused, "driving through a snowstorm on a Saturday night"). Scheduled to speak last, he spoke after America the Beautiful so he could get home. He delivered a stirring message of having fun again in politics, urging Virginia Democrats to fight for what they believe in , recalling a time when "the term Virginia Democrat was an oxymoron." Politics, he said, is only fun when you fight for something you believe in. "If you're going to lose, have fun when you're losing! Fight for something you believe in...politics is best when it's a crusade!" Government, he said, can make a difference. "The Democratic Party gave the vulnerable the best chance to be protected." Over and over again speakers gloated over Virginia being the "best managed state in the nation" under Mark Warner.
Tim Kaine gave a great speech, talking of transportation and his real passion, education. Explaining the Democrats' success, Kaine mentioned the case of Jim Dillard..."The Republican Party refused to support one of their own. Is it any wonder?" George Allen should be looking behind his back: Viola Baskerville called him "an apologist for failed policies and incompetence," and read a letter from candidate James Webb , who was recovering from surgery. Harris Miller gave a speech hammering on Washington being broken.
Tim Kaine mentioned to applause in his speech that "we are on a roll, and we're not done." No, Virginia, no we are not. Virginia is going Democratic, and the Republicans can't stop us.
That advice from Ed Rendell (urging Virginia Democrats to fight for what they believe in) is just effing rich, considering he cut Senate Democrats off at the knees by publicly favoring Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court a week before the vote took place. Scum.
One of the things that I did get from Richmond yesterday was a huge amount of respect for Harris Miller. Hearing him talk yesterday (three speeches), I was very impressed. The guy has a head for politics.