Wes Clark, Michael J. Fox, and Jim Webb in Arlington

By: Lowell
Published On: 11/2/2006 10:32:55 PM

Wow, what a night.  I mean, what else can you say when you're in a room with 1,000 Webb supporters, all there to see and hear General Wesley Clark, actor Michael J. Fox, and soon-to-be Senator Jim Webb?  Photos will be coming later, but for now, here's a report.

Wes Clark kicked off the rally.  He talked about we should welcome everyone "whose heart is in the right place" into the Democratic Party.  He urged everyone to vote for "one of the greatest men ever to stand for the U.S. Senate - Jim Webb!"  He asserted that we now live in a time of "unique crisis," and that it's "time for America to come together." 

According to Clark, we are "overstretched," government doesn't have a plan, and Congress "doesn't have the courage to ask the right questions."  The country is suffering after 6 years of Republican rule.  As a consequence of this "leadership," failures and corruption abound.  Enough is enough!  We need people who can make a difference in life, people like Jim Webb.

Clark talked about Webb as a person who "didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth."  Instead, Webb did it "the tough way," working his way through the US Naval Academy and the Marine Corps.  Webb proved himself under fire in Vietnam.  Webb has been a man of action. Webb has served when the country called.  And Webb has taken all his passion, plus the lessons he learned, to create great books like "Fields of Fire."  In Clark's opinion, we all owe Jim Webb a great deal for his writings.  Now, Webb's going to take that courage, that "born fighting" spirit, and he's going to fight for America.  All of which is why, Clark concluded, we need to elect Jim Webb on November 7!!!

Jim Webb spoke about the tremendous energy of his volunteers, who have carried him from 30+ points down into the lead.  Now, with "4 days and a wakeup" left to go, everyone needs to work on getting people out to vote.

Webb pointed out that when he started this campaign, he made a vow that he wouldn't change what he believed in to get a vote or to raise money.  And he has lived up to that vow.  He has run a positive campaign, with a focus on issues that matter to America.  He has not allowed himself to get dragged into the gutter by his opponent.  And people are thanking him for running a positive campaign.  "Just look at our ads," Webb challenged the crowd, and try to find a single negative one out there.

Webb talked about how, for the past 6 years, we have suffered so much "bullying" from people who simply want to stay in power.  They have opposed scientific research, including stem cell research, in a way that makes THEM the ones who act like it's 1806, not 2006.  Luckily, Michael J. Fox had the courage to setp forward and talk about the value of scientific research.  And Fox has continued talking about this, despite the bullying of people like Rush Limbaugh, who should know a little bit himself about prescription drugs.  Webb related that his mother was in a nursing home, and that he'd "love to be able to talk to her but I can't."  That's just one example of why we need stem cell research.

Michael J. Fox thanked Jim Webb, "the next Senator from Virginia."  Fox said that he was out supporting candidates who support stem cell research, and opposing candidates who oppose it.  According to Fox, "America's about hope."  That's why "the idea of restricting one of the most promising areas of research is so short-sighted."  This is an example of less-than-compassionate conservatism.  Fortunately, Fox is "not going away."  Nor, Fox stated, are the millions of American suffering from terrible diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Sadly, Senator Allen voted AGAINST stem cell research.  That's just one reason why "Senator Allen needs to hear from you!"  The thing with stem cell research is that it uses embryos that would be discarded anyway in order to save lives.  According to Fox, "I can think of no better affirmation of the culture of life" than that.  Even if it takes years, we need research to start now, with the full support of the federal government.  And every one of you MUST show up on election day and make your voices heard.  You owe it to yourself, to your family, to your friends and neighbors.  Vote for Jim Webb for U.S. Senate on November 7!

[UPDATE:  More great photos here, courtesy of Cassie Arnold.]


Comments



post fox (pvogel - 11/2/2006 10:36:51 PM)
Mike and babs came to alex drinking liberally after the fox rally{the only GOOD Fox!!!}

hey were energized!!!!

I am looking fwd to monday, clinton at market square alexandria, then the voteing day



hey - you said you wouldn't blog this (teacherken - 11/2/2006 10:37:07 PM)
so I did at dailykos Here

take a look.



Why wouldn't I blog this? (Lowell - 11/2/2006 10:38:55 PM)
I only said I wasn't going to blog the private reception before the general...


How many people were there, Lowell? n/t (lwumom - 11/2/2006 10:48:18 PM)


About 1,000.... (Lowell - 11/2/2006 10:58:51 PM)
...packed in like sardines to the Clarendon Ballroom.  I was there last year for an event with Tim Kaine and Barack Obama. That event was great, but this one was even more intense.  Wow.


Wow, they got 1000 people into the Clarendon Ballroom? (Catzmaw - 11/3/2006 12:17:32 AM)
I'm claustrophobic just thinking about it, but still, a great location and probably a great gathering.  Sorry I missed it.


More, I think (Ingrid - 11/3/2006 1:03:05 AM)
I think there were about 1,200 people there.  When we went upstairs for the main event, we couldn't even get through the throng of people on either side.  Many of us stood behind the camera stage, watching the proceedings on the tiny screens of the TV cameras. There was an amazing energy in the ballroom.  We got to meet MJF at the reception downstairs.  What a terrific person, patiently posing for pictures, chatting with people.  Great event!  Can't wait for Monday night!


People were calling the office all day (Lowell - 11/3/2006 7:59:21 AM)
...trying to get into this sold-out event.  Despite that, people were being turned away at the door because the room had reached maximum fire-code capacity.  Absolutely amazing!


Any Video ? (Al Rodgers - 11/2/2006 10:50:55 PM)
of either the Fox or Obama or Clinton rallys ??


I am hoping there will be, but I didn't shoot it (Lowell - 11/2/2006 10:58:00 PM)


Fantastic Event! (LAS - 11/2/2006 11:02:25 PM)
And an interesting mix of people. The Clarkies and Michael J. Fox fans and we're all Webbies! (Webbsters? Webbites?)

A LOT of young people in the ballroom--which was great to see. Makes sense--no matter where you are in life, you WILL be affected by one of these diseases (if you haven't been already.)Your parents, your spouse, children or other loved one. We ALL have a stake in this issue. 

Just this morning I talked with a good friend who lives in Miami. She has been watching her mother slowly die from Alzheimers/Parkinson's disease for several years now. This looks like the final week for this once vibrant, funny, bright woman. When I told my friend about where I was going this evening, she was nearly in tears.

"Webb's going to win, isn't he?" she asked me several times, seekng assurance. "He HAS to win."

Webb is 100% right. It's these yahoo anti-science, anti-inteligence, anti-common sense Republicans who are the ones stuck in 1806.



NEW DSCC AD, PRETTY GOOD (Jon-Phillip - 11/2/2006 11:06:53 PM)
http://www.youtube.c...


What an amazing rally! (Luna - 11/2/2006 11:25:40 PM)
I took a bunch of pics, but most of them turned out blurry or with some guy's head in front of the shot. Alas. I'm hoping some other bloggers got some decent pics instead.


My son took some pics (Tink - 11/2/2006 11:53:39 PM)
But he's watching this WVU/Louisville game.  I don't know when he will send them to me. 


I was there too....it was an incredible event (Tink - 11/2/2006 11:51:47 PM)

All three of these men are incredible Americans and I was thrilled to see all of them on the same stage.

The crowd reeked of enthusiasm and encouraged all three of these men as the spoke.  It was wonderful to see.  Wesley Clarke is so impressive and he spoke from the heart.  Jim Webb was relaxed, laughing and grinning.  He connected with the crowd and they roared with approval.  Michael J Fox made some jabs at Rush - but with humor - there's not a mean bone in him.  He spoke of those dealing with dreadful diseases and spoke on hope, science, and possibilities of cures.  He was spell binding and heartbreaking all at the same time.  I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes.  What courage this man has.  He made clear he is staying in the fight and not going anywhere.

These three men washed away all the cynicism that has been building in me in this election. What remarkable men.  What a night!



The contrast is incredible (Lowell - 11/3/2006 12:18:59 AM)
According to Bob Lewis, while Webb was campaigning in front of huge crowds, Allen was busy shaking hands at a cigarette plant and being endorsed by the rabidly anti-immigrant group, the Minutemen.  If THAT doesn't sum up the differences between these two candidates, what on earth DOES?!?


Michael J Fox (seamusotoole - 11/3/2006 12:29:23 AM)
What a fantastic event tonight was.  It had special meaning for me as I watched my grandfather slowly become an invalid from Parkinsons Disease.  Michael J. Fox you are
amazing!  You are so positive and full of life and hope.  Thank you so much for being there for Jim Webb who believes in science and research.  The place was packed with supporters for Webb!!! Isn't it great to see Jim Webb with that wonderful smile on his face?  I see more and more of those smiles as we get closer to Election Day.  I phone called all day to Get Out the Vote.  Loved taking a break tonight and seeing Wesley Clark, Michael J. Fox and
Webb together on stage.  What a fantastic team we have.  How lucky we are in Virginia to have found such a fabulous candidate.  Everyone do your share over these next five days and let's make sure Webb is the next Senator from the state of Virginia. We're in the home stretch.


Great photo! (DanG - 11/3/2006 12:40:41 AM)


Great first hand account (vadem - 11/3/2006 12:52:55 AM)
Thanks for the photo of three amazing leaders.  Each in his own way and for his own reason.  Fortunately, their reasons are much the same-we need change for the better for everyone.  Wish I could have been there to show my appreciation to Wes Clark for standing with Jim Webb in the beginning of his run, and now,  in the 11th hour;  and for taking a positive message to the voters of Virginia. And thanks to Michael J. Fox for never giving up, and for having such a huge heart.  If you can define a man by the company he keeps, this is yet another example that Jim Webb is a fine man.


Very well said! (LAS - 11/3/2006 1:23:33 AM)
Jim was very clear in his thanks to General Clark for his early support. He also took this opportunity, as he has in past occassions, to thank his volunteers who have worked so hard and against such seemingly impossible odds for the last eight months.

I think about how far we have come from the St Paddy's Day parade in Alexandria--and now Bill Clinton is coming to Market Square in Old Town for JIM WEBB!!! It's so amazing, I can't quite believe it.

Long weekend ahead of us, folks. GOTV! GOTV! GOTV!!!



Michael J. Fox (Lee Diamond - 11/3/2006 1:46:00 AM)
I just want to add my observation that Michael looked  very tired.  He's campaigning around the country for candidates who support stem cell research.  He is an exceptional person.


Michael J. Fox - Thank you! (relawson - 11/3/2006 2:06:58 AM)
I am glad to hear someone like Fox, who we know as "Alex Keiting" and "Marty McFly", being real about issues such as this.

And thank you for supporting Jim Webb Mr. Fox.  God speed - I wish you a long and prosperous life.

PS: Limbaugh is out of control.  But hasn't he always been?



Michael J. Fox (Laura86 - 11/3/2006 9:15:43 AM)
I was there too...it was very humbling.

All I have to add is Rush Limbaugh = Biff.  "What are you lookin' at, butthead?"