About 80 people attended the fundraiser, a major event for the FCDC, as each person paid at least $50, and many paid more. It's more important than ever to make sure the City's Democratic Party is well funded this year, as the City is trending Democratic, and voted for John Kerry in 2004 (the first time that it voted Democratic in 40 years!)
As the attendees were eating their delicious meals, served by the friendly folks at Il Lupo, a number of local politicos spoke. The head of the Virginia Democratic Party, Kerry Donely, spoke first, stressing the importance of keeping Fairfax blue this cycle, and of electing Democrats to the top three offices in the state.
Tim Kaine, who you may have read a little bit about here at RK, circulated around the room chatting with folks prior to giving his remarks, and edited his stump speech for the event in response to questions about his faith and family. He drew applause for his statement that "faith is something you live and practice," and he mentioned the supreme importance of winning back the "values voters." A few days ago, he met a gentleman who refused to shake his hand just because he [Kaine] is a Democrat. Lt. Governor Kaine also paid tribute to "the best" public servant in his house, his wife, a judge in Richmond. As she is barred from taking place in partisan political activities, their house is the only one in the neighborhood without a Kaine 2005 sign in the yard.
Chap Petersen and his campaign's RV stopped by the event, where he spoke, along with fellow Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Leslie Byrne. In contrast to Gerry Connolly's Saint Patrick's Day party, Petersen stickers adorned the lapels of the majority of the attendees. Neither Phil Puckett nor Viola Baskerville attended or sent representatives to the event, nor did either one of them have any visible support at the event. If either one of them want to make significant inroads into NOVA, they'd better start doing it ASAP. Janet Oleszek and David Bulova, both of whom are running to fill Petersen's seat, also gave prepared remarks. I also got to speak with 2006 Eleventh District Congressional candidate Ken Longmyer, who held Tom "Lock the Opposition out of a 'public' Town Hall Meeting" Davis to a much closer than expected marign in 2004, and carried over a dozen precincts, and came within a just a few votes in others. This is made even more impressive by the fact that he was outraised by a 25-1 margin!
The Republican Mayor of Fairfax, Rob Lederer, a Chap Petersen supporter, also attended the wildly successful event, where progressive politics, delicious food, and interesting conversation were enjoyed by all.
Baskerville, however, has a shot at peeling some of the progressive/liberal vote up here, and why she sent no one seems bizarre to me.
If Leslie and Chap fight it out too hard in NoVa, Baskerville could squeeze in.
PS: And it's Kerry Donley, one "n", one "l". :)