I just got back from a breakfast fundraiser in north Arlington with Jim Webb and Margi Venaderhye. There were about 100 or so people there, including Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, Del. Brian Moran, Del. Bob Brink, and Judy Feder. Here are some photos and a brief report.Del. Brink spoke first, pinch hitting for Brian Moran who -- appropriately enough -- was stuck in traffic. Brink introduced Sen. Webb.
Jim Webb said that he doesn't have a big PAC, but that, nonetheless, he's managed to support 40 different candidates around Virginia. He made a joke alluding to the fact that Mark Warner would be Virginia's junior senator next year, saying that he told Warner, "at least when you call the senior senator it won't be George Allen!" On a serious note, Webb said that "the whole country is watching" Virginia, in part to see if momentum continues moving the Democrats' way after 2005 and 2006, and in part to set the stage for 2008. Webb said that the Republican Party, particularly in Virginia, has moved "further and further to the extreme," and is using the same Karl Rove "playbook" that they used last year. In contrast, the Democratic Party is the party of good governance.
Brian Moran (who had battled his way through the traffic and arrived by then) spoke briefly, urging everyone to "leave it all out on the field" and to vote before next Tuesday if you can.
Margi Vanderhye gave an excellent speech, talking about how she started this campaign in July 2006 and how it has been a "wonderful, joyful experience." Vanderhye said she's knocked on 11,000 doors and that people have been "overwhelmingly supportive." At one door, a voter asked her, "What do you think about values?" Margi joked that she responded, "I support them!" Lots of laughter all around on that one. :)
On a more serious note, Margi talked about the need for making Virginia what it should be and standing up for what's right. She said that we're at a "values crossroads" and need to decide whether or not Virginia will be an inclusive, welcoming state. She talked about "stewardship of the environment" and how "public education is the best defense against tyranny" (Thomas Jefferson quote, I believe). She concluded that on November 6, the election is about "leadership and governance," with the chance to elect Virginians who "care about this Commonwealth."
