Cranwell Gives Democrats an Earful

By: Teddy
Published On: 6/25/2006 6:41:20 PM

The Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia met in Charlottesville on Saturday under the able gavel of Chair Dickie Cranwell, and transacted some serious business, including unanimous approval of a resolution to oppose the invidious, divisive, unnecessary, poorly drafted piece of bigotry known as +óGé¼+ôthe gay marriage amendment+óGé¼-¥--- thus showing once again the Democrats+óGé¼Gäó signature attitude of protecting citizens from the busybody interference of government in private lives so beloved of the reactionary Republican winguts.
Committee members listened to an upbeat report on Party finances from James Turpin, Vice-Chair for Finance, including discussion of the new Synergy Blue technology program to develop the Democratic volunteer and donor base.  DPVA has brought on Katie Cook as Direct Mail Consultant, who will expand the Kaine for Governor fundraising campaign including direct mail and also an extensive on-line solicitation to develop new sources of revenue like, for example, the Democratic Black Caucus+óGé¼Gäó very successful Juneteenth Celebration in Richmond (special credit to Levar Stoney, formerly with Creigh Deeds, and now  DPVA+óGé¼Gäós new Political Director); The Young Democrats+óGé¼Gäó Club under Missy Neff of Richmond with a sustaining donor program; and the Northern Virginia Democratic Business Council which has established a PAC, providing a model for other regions in the state.  Ellen Stankowicz has joined the Democratic Caucus as Finance Director, responsible for raising money for the House and Senate Caucuses, Delegates, Senators, and candidates for the General Assembly in 2007.

THE EARFUL

Then Chair Cranwell demanded, and received, absolute attention: +óGé¼+ôI+óGé¼Gäóm going to talk with you all about party unity, okay?+óGé¼-¥ Side chatter died away as Uncle Dickie laid it out in no uncertain terms, admitting that in his own family his wife voted one way, he another in the recent Senate primary. Dickie reminded us the only perfect candidate he+óGé¼Gäód ever found was when he looked into his own mirror.  But the primary was over, the people had spoken, and it was time to move on and defeat George Allen, "Get over it, okay?" It made no difference if, as one person had said to him, +óGé¼+ôbut HE didn+óGé¼Gäót support Kerry!+óGé¼-¥ Forget that, okay, it was not important now, we had our outstanding candidate, an intelligent, experienced leader who was his own man, like Thomas Moore in English history, +óGé¼+ôa man for all seasons.+óGé¼-¥

I suddenly understood a curious exchange I+óGé¼Gäód had moments earlier when I had come upon a dejected-looking member of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee sitting alone in a back row, and asked what was wrong to be told +óGé¼+ôI+óGé¼Gäóm persona non grata right now.+óGé¼-¥  Overcome with sympathy, even though the member and I (like Dickie and his wife) had been on opposite sides in the primary, I said, +óGé¼+ôNot to me you aren+óGé¼Gäót.+óGé¼-¥  I received a stunned look and a heartfelt +óGé¼+ôThank you, Teddy.+óGé¼-¥ 

Well, it really is all in the family, and the important thing is to go on and beat the pants off George Allen.  Time to move on to the future, said Cranwell, diplomatically introducing first his +óGé¼+ôold friend+óGé¼-¥ Harris Miller, who had fought a good fight and who received thunderous applause from what, we all understood only too well, had been his base among the Democratic establishment.  Harris, rising gallantly to the occasion, gave a rousing speech attacking Allen and pledging support to Jim Webb. 

Webb in his combat boots, his right hand still bandaged from a recent operation, came forward while his many supporters in Webb T-shirts and stickers roared approval.  Webb, too spoke of party unity, as he had at the Alexandria J-J Dinner, adding that it was time to +óGé¼+ôbring home to the Democratic Party+óGé¼-¥ former Democrats who had strayed under Reagan, and time to make common cause with unhappy independents and disaffected Republicans so as to begin putting America back on the right track. He warned that +óGé¼+ôAllen could run but he couldn+óGé¼Gäót hide+óGé¼-¥ and promised +óGé¼+ôwe will yield no corner of Virginia.+óGé¼-¥  Webb insisted he will change the terms of political debate in this election, and, when he wins, change the way power is exercised in Washington to help the working and middle class Americans devastated by Republican rule.  Zogby already has Webb just 5 percentage points behind the incumbent Senator, a very bad sign for Mr. Allen this early in the campaign. 

It was exactly what we needed to hear.

SEPARATE CAUCUSES AND THE UNITY RALLY

Following the meeting of the Central Committee we had breakout sessions, including the revival of the Women+óGé¼Gäós Caucus, which elected Rachel Rifkind as Chair, Sue Langley as 1st Vice-Chair, Audrey Dobbs as 2d Vice-Chair, Maggie Urquhart as Treasurer, and Bea Berry as Secretary.

After a quick lunch everyone gathered at Lee Park in downtown Charlottesville for a rousing Democratic Unity Rally featuring a shorter unity talk by Chair Cranwell, who simultaneously  whipped us into shape and a partisan frenzy, introducing not only Jim Webb and Harris Miller, but Creigh Deeds and the Candidates from the Congressional Districts. Others adjourned for a beer but we chose to drive home before the advancing thunderstorms.  Time to get to work, okay?

Comments



Phyllis Ander elected 2nd vice chair of Women's Caucus. (clarkie - 6/25/2006 7:30:02 PM)


2nd Vice-Chair (Teddy - 6/25/2006 7:52:31 PM)
Sorry for the incorrect info. Thanks for the correction.


That is Mattie Urquhart (Gene E. Magruder - 6/25/2006 8:36:52 PM)
Mattie Urquhart was elected treasurer, not maggie.