For those who couldn't make the event Thursday, this was Jim Webb's introduction for Barack Obama's first SECOND speech as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
It was a meaningful moment for Annabel and me... witnessing the candidate we'd volunteered for in 2006 introduce the candidate we've volunteered for (in five states) in 2008. The spirit of inclusion, fairness, opportunity, and respect that inspired Real Virginians For Webb nearly two years ago is even more crucial in Virginia, and in America, today. We will soon unfurl the Real Virginians banner once again, this time, perhaps we will call ourselves Real Virginians for Obama. And perhaps in a few months time, the proper name will be Real Virginians for Obama/Webb, as Jim Webb is often mentioned as a possible Vice Presidential nominee.
For those who don't know the story, the name "Real Virginians For Webb" was coined by Annabel Park during the 2006 Senate campaign, after the incumbent Sentator George Allen (R) had pointed to an Asian American man during a stump speech and said, "Let's have a round of applause to welcome macaca to America... Welcome to America and the Real World of Virginia." As Annabel explains in this video, our aim was to remind Senator Allen that Real Virginians are not defined by what you look like, we are defined by values that we share.
Comments
2nd speech (Brian - 6/7/2008 8:57:56 AM)
Actually it was his second speech; he had just given one in Bristol earlier that day. :)
Actually, it was his THIRD speech (Lowell - 6/7/2008 9:01:51 AM)
after clinching the nomination Tuesday night. Or maybe his fourth speech...Obama spoke to AIPAC on Wednesday. Anyway, close enough. :)
well was it his first...something? (EricByler - 6/7/2008 9:14:39 AM)
I read a Post story talking about the strategic significance of making his first events of the general campaign in...I guess it was Virgina.
First speech with Obama's future VP choice; Jim Webb? (cycle12 - 6/7/2008 9:37:14 AM)
Excellent job, Eric, and perhaps it will come to pass that this speech will be the first one that Obama delivered along side his future VP choice, Jim Webb...
Thanks!
Steve
First at Nissan Pavilion? (Lowell - 6/7/2008 10:44:57 AM)
n/t
Webb on "Wait, Wait" (KCinDC - 6/7/2008 11:09:21 AM)
Jim Webb is on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" today, in just a few minutes (on WAMU, anyway).
Thank you for posting! (proudvadem - 6/7/2008 11:27:40 AM)
I almost forgot...I love this show and can't wait to hear Webb.
Tattoos (KCinDC - 6/7/2008 11:30:08 AM)
Is Webb the most tattooed member of Congress?
One amusing detail from PWC (EricByler - 6/7/2008 8:43:28 PM)
Both of the two leading blogs here reported that the crowd was underwhelming that day.