There were about 150 people in attendance last night at the Prince Willicam County Democratic Committee's 29th annual Jefferson/Jackson Dinner. Eric and I were there with Jon Bowerbank, who has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor in 2009. [Full disclosure: Eric and I are being paid by the Bowerbank campaign for consulting, photography, video and other services]
Others in attendance included 2009 Democratic gubernatorial contenders Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran; 10th CD Democratic primary candidates Judy Feder and Mike Turner; 11th CD Democratic primary candidates Leslie Byrne, Lori Alexander, Doug Denneny and Gerry Connolly; Sen. George Barker; Sen. Toddy Puller; Sen. Chuck Colgan; Del. Paul Nichols; Supervisors John Jenkins and Frank Principi; and Bruce Roemmelt [update: also, I forgot to mention Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta, Dumfries Councilman William Toney and former Chair of the Board of Supervisors Kathleen Seefeldt]
Jim Moran was the dinner's keynote speaker. Moran talked about how we are at a turning point in America's history and how it is time to call upon the Democratic Party to solve our problems. Today, our priorities our "out of whack" - for instance, China holds a large chunk of our enormous debt, and could crash our economy simply by saying it would rather hold Euros than dollars. According to Rep. Moran, if that were to happen, he doesn't know if we'd ever recover. Moran said that George W. Bush's America -- growing income inequality, torture, loss of international respect, subsidies to oil companies making record profits -- is "not what America's all about" and it's time for a new direction under Democratic leadership.
On foreign policy, Moran called the Bush Administration's approach to Iran "the most juvenile possible," as "mature adults don't give other people the silent treatment, they sit down and talk to them." With regard to Iraq, Moran drew applause by calling for a timetable for withdrawal. He drew a loud "YES!!!" from Gerry Connolly as he talked about helping the Iraqis only so long as they do their part. He said we should close Gitmo, and that 95% of the people there have never engaged in a hostile act against the United States, but actually were turned in for cash reward by warlords from rival tribes. Finally, he called for America being a "moral guidepost" for the rest of the world again, and for ushering in a "new progressive era" where we "lead by example" and "believe in ourselves."
Following Jim Moran, candidates for the 10th and 11th CDs, plus 2009 candidates, had a chance to speak for 2 minutes or so. My notes on those speeches are on the "flip."
10th CD candidates
Judy Feder gave a short, energetic speech. She said that electing the next Democratic president couldn't come soon enough. She called for change -- on health care, the economy, the war in Iraq, etc. -- and said we need leaders with the energy and commitment to make that change happen. She declared that Frank Wolf was NOT the member of Congress to bring that change, and that she WAS that leader. Two years ago, Feder reminded the crowd, she "gave Frank Wolf his toughest race in a quarter century." According to Feder, the way to beat Wolf is to "come at him again," to "build on what we accomplished" the first time around, to run a "longer, stronger race."
Mike Turner said that his task was to "inform you about who I am." He talked about how he had only sent out 1 mailer during the campaign, gave out his website address, and reminded people to vote on June 10.
11th CD candidates
Lori Alexander talked about her upbringing in Massachusetts, her work as a physical therapis, how she is "very hardworking" and "very passionate," and how she "love[s] people."
After so many speeches, Leslie Byrne joked that "the mind can only absorb as much as the seat can stand." Very true! :) She reminded people that she had carried the 11th CD in 2005 with 55% of the vote when she was running for LG. She said that she finally agreed with Tom Davis on something, when Davis said that "if Republicans were a brand of dog food, they'd take it off the shelf." She said the war in Iraq was the top issue right now, and that she had opposed the invasion from the start -- "publicly" not just "privately." She told a moving story about when she was Congresswoman, helping to get a wounded veteran a burial site at Arlington National Cemetery before he died. She still has the rifeld casing from the man's 19-gun salute.
Gerry Connolly told a joke he's told many times before, about how Bill Clinton, Al Gore and George W. Bush all were facing a firing squad. Just as he is about to be shot, Bill Clinton yells "earthquake," the executioners run for cover, and Bill Clinton escapes over the wall to safety. Same thing with Al Gore, except he yells "tornado." Same thing with George W. Bush, except he yells "fire." D'oh! :) Connolly said "we need to clean house," and declared that he had spent the last 14 years "providing results" and making sure government works. He talked about his work for the Senate Foreign Relations committee, and declared that he had more experience in Congress than "anyone here" (I presume he was talking about his fellow candidates for the 11th, not to Jim Moran). He said he has "never lost an election," that he won 111 out of 115 precincts the last time, and that he will "work to turn Prince William County blue."
Doug Denneny said that "this election is about change," and that he would turn "words and deeds into action." He said the nation is on the wrong path and related how in 2006, he had turned down promotion to captain because, basically, he "was just plum mad," angry at "what my commander in chief had done," and decided, "I've had it." He said he's not a career politician, but that he had been endorsed by four sitting members of Congress. He also said that he had publicly chosen Barack Obama two months ago because that's what he believed was the right thing to do. He talked about bringing "honesty," "courage" and "commitment" to the job.
2009 candidates
Jon Bowerbank introduced himself as being from Russell County, "300 miles southwest of here," where he serves on the board of supervisors. He talked about a 120-year-old oak tree on his property, how that tree will be there long after he's gone, and about his desire to give back to the Commonwealth. He said he would tak his business experience (and success) and apply it to Virginia's challenges. And he noted that it is only 400 days until the primary next year.
Creigh Deeds fired up the crowed, talking about a "great blue wave of energy here," declaring that "only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly," and making a pitch that everyone work hard for Mark Warner both to elect our second Democratic U.S. Senator, but also to help pick up at least three congressional seats this year in Virginia and to make sure the state is in play for president.
Brian Moran joked that he's the youngest of 7 children so is used to going last. :) He talked about "the nobility of hard work" and the "necessity of a good education." He said that it's our responsibility to leave the world a better place. Today, he is "worried that [America's] fundamental promise is at risk." He said that this is an "opportunity to solve many of the problems Jim talked about," to "restore integrity" and to leave a "better future for our children."
Anyway, that's a quick summary of the event. Tonight: the Fairfax County JJ dinner. Should be interesting.
P.S. Eric took photos and video, we'll see how they come out.