This time of the year is very grueling for students as they head into finals, but considering the depth and breadth of their community involvement, they certainly did a wonderful job of putting on this event.
The young man sitting next to me considers himself to be conservative for the most part, but right now he isn't happy with the Republican party on many issues. I didn't get a chance to really check out the audience because of the bright light, but at least four surrounding counties were represented. There were at least six from Nelson. One woman who has served in local office for many years, came in as an uncommitted skeptic and at the end turned to me and said, "OK, I'm sold." I keep reading anecdotes like that, now I saw it for myself.
I'm not going to repeat all the talking points, but I will try my best to capture at least a little of what this was all about and how it was different - definitely not politics as usual. First, a broad spectrum of issues were addressed in a spirit of honest to goodness consensus building. At the base of this consensus was a get-down-to-business understanding that the numerous challenges and problems actually need to be addressed. Along with that is the understanding that too many of these problems are not being addressed now, and many those that are being talked about are not being approached effectively.
The question and answer period addressed problems and imbalances in the areas of energy, energy alternatives, too much influence on the part of lobbyists, corruption, excessive power in the executive branch, Iraq, poverty, outsourcing, factory and base closings, and health care. I doubt if I've covered the list entirely.
Specifics of each one of these topics was discussed, in the spirit of civil discourse. Special interests, i.e., litmust test thinking just wasn't there. It was more of an atmosphere of - does this issue that I find vitally important, e.g., solar energy, fit into this picture, and if so how? Again, this turned into more of a conversational dialog than a speech with a lot of back and forth, for example, on models of health care delivery systems. I wish I could remember all of the details, can't do it, so I'm hoping the press has that covered.
Fine points of the socially divisive issues - gays, guns, God, affirmative action - I don't recall any questions on these. Again, from the folks that I had a chance to talk with afterwards, there's clear knowledge that these have been used for years as distractions.
Vague buzz-word values talk. Wasn't there.
Theory. Only when necessary. For some people, and I'm one of them, elegant theory can be addictive. And while it has its place, it can also get in the way of pragmatic problem solving.
Theatre and posturing. Wasn't really happening. Webb even made a sheepish comment or two about his camo ride, but he added that it does help with visibility. So be on the lookout :)
Overall what I really came away with is that this campaign is a group effort. It's up to us to keep getting the word out. This is not all about Jim Webb, it's all about us. And it's working because this campaign is really moving into the mainstream.
So here's a short on Webb over at Staunton this afternoon - some video, a lot more laid back that Charlottesville. I know someone who was up in Staunton, and I'll talk with him soon.
There was a short piece on Roanoke Channel 10, and be sure to check out the Daily Progress tomorrow.
Oh - one of the comments was off topic. Someone who was down at the 5th CD dinner a couple of weeks ago wants Steve Jarding for Vice-President at the very least.
I'm sorry if this is just disjointed. I was more focused on talking with people - plenty of Al Weed stickers in the house.
And another one: News Leader