Gala in Arlington
By: Ingrid
Published On: 6/4/2006 12:50:06 AM
Tonight I attended the Arlington Kiwanis 75th Anniversary Gala at the brand new Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel on the corner of Glebe and Wilson. It is the same hotel where the Arlington Dems will have their JJ Dinner on Friday, June 9. The gala was not a political event, but, like many of you, I use every opportunity to talk about Jim Webb.
I converted at least eight Democrats from undecided or Miller supporters to Webb supporters, with a simple message. Someone may have already posted a similar message, or maybe I read it on one of the yahoogroups. But I just wanted to emphasize how easy this is.
Read on...
Here is the message:
When Democrats switch parties, Republicans welcome them with open arms. That+óGé¼Gäós how the GOP became a majority party in Virginia.
If we Democrats want to become a majority party again, we should do the same: we should welcome Reagan Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians and Vegetarians with open arms when they want to join or re-join the Democratic Party. And we start by nominating Jim Webb for Senate.
With this message, I won over eight people, one of whom promised to contribute to the Webb campaign. The ninth person was a Republican associate who admires Webb and will vote for him in the Democratic Primary!
The keynote speaker tonight was Arlington+óGé¼Gäós own Katie Couric who attended with her parents, John and Elinor Couric, and her brother John. Katie is a delightful, witty, inspiring person, and quite a celebrity.
After the gala, we had drinks in the lounge of the hotel, with a couple of Arlington Dems. On our way out, I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Helen Thomas, the famous reporter who took Bush to task recently. Oh, and I signed up two new volunteers for Jim.
Comments
We Welcome Republicans into the Democratic Party with Open Arms (kevinceckowski - 6/4/2006 7:46:22 AM)
What a great way to say it. We have a way of saying ever so crisply, "They were Republicans!" Well the key word is "were" I can say, in my younger days, my father being a career USMC guy, my mother dutifully by his side and they were and are staunch Republicans. They were and are Catholic. So I was raised a certain way. I did vote many, many years ago as a Republican. But I came over to "Dem" side during Reagans second term. He just turned me off when he could not deal with the AIDS crisis and I began to think on my own away from home and in college. Jim Webb got turned off by the War in Iraq. Yes, that is something to be p.o.'d about. I for one am glad he joined. I for one am glad more people are seeing what this president has done to our country. I don't feel like the minority thinker anymore and that feels good. I can talk about my feelings with 66% of the people in this nation and they agree with me about this president and that makes me feel REALLY good (free therapy).
So we do welcome all with open arms into the Democratic party, and what an open and inclusive party it is.
p.s. by the way Ingrid, get some sleep, you posted this at the wee hours of the morning. super picture though. kc
IS THAT? (James Martin - 6/4/2006 7:59:45 AM)
Is that you with Katie Couric? *faints*
Yes, James (Ingrid - 6/4/2006 8:26:46 AM)
and she is about two inches taller than I!
She must've had heels on!! (Ken C. - 6/5/2006 4:53:23 PM)
You maybe short, me too, but no one is shorter than Katie:) Ingrid, you rock......!!!!
Actually, Ken (Ingrid - 6/5/2006 6:33:06 PM)
I had on heels higher than hers. I really do think that she is two inches taller than I...;-(
Now you've done it. (Kathy Gerber - 6/4/2006 8:07:08 AM)
The Ditzy Democrats are going to be sooooo jealous that you had a Helen Thomas sighting!
Oh, please (The Ditzy Democrats - 6/4/2006 10:53:36 AM)
We know where she gets her Starbucks at. ;)
Great news! (Nichole - 6/4/2006 9:24:16 AM)
You always amaze me Ingrid :)You have such a way with words and people!
That is a great picture!
Right on! (TurnVirginiaBlue - 6/4/2006 1:35:16 PM)
There are so many issues that the majority of people, blue, red or purple care about, the budget deficit, the corporate corruption,
IRAQ, good jobs for American, trade...
and many of these positions are held across party lines.
Don't let the corporate agenda fringe define America and invite those Republicans in!