Ninth District Convention

By: Brian
Published On: 6/10/2006 11:22:50 PM

A large group of Southwest Virginia Democrats gathered today in Marion to nominate Congressman Rick Boucher.  Boucher is seeking his 13th term in Congress. 

I am afraid to guess how many people were there, but I heard estimates ranging between 200 and 300.  It did appear, however, that there were thousands of +óGé¼+ôBoucher for Congress+óGé¼-¥ signs.  Someone got up very early this morning and started putting out signs.
Ninth District Committee Chairman, Tom Graham, kept everything rolling and did a good job.  Graham said he invited the two senate candidates, but both were unable to attend. 

Jim Webb, though, did have former-chair, Gary Hancock, speak in his behalf.  Hancock gave an impassioned case for why Webb should be our nominee.  One of Webb+óGé¼Gäós biggest supporters, Henry Tieleman, was also there passing out literature and yard signs for Webb.  I looked as much as I could, but I did not see any Miller signs, stickers, or any visibility for him. 

Senators Puckett, Deeds, Edwards, and Reynolds, Delegate Bowling, and several other elected officials were there to keep the crowd fired up.  They all agreed that Boucher was, without a doubt, +óGé¼+ôthe best Congressman in the United States.+óGé¼-¥  I would certainly concur with that assessment. 

Needless to say, Boucher accepted the nomination to be our Democratic candidate for the Ninth District.  Boucher was his usual self and delivered a powerful speech.  Boucher said his campaign would be positive and based on his previous accomplishments. 

After the convention, Graham and others presented Boucher and his new wife, Amy, with a wedding cake that was topped with a bicycle.  As most people have already heard, the Bouchers were married last week on the Creeper Trail. 

All in all, the convention went great and everyone left energized.  I am really looking forward to the next few months as the campaign really gets rolling and we get past next week+óGé¼Gäós primary. 

Neal was apparently also there and has posted his thoughts here


Comments



Great report Brian! (Eric - 6/11/2006 9:13:02 AM)
Glad to hear things are going well down your way.  And that Webb had a strong showing even if the man himself wasn't there.

Oh, and keep an eye on all those signs you're talking about.  I keep reading about how someone is stealing them.  ;-)



Thanks (Brian - 6/11/2006 10:00:03 AM)
Thanks Eric.  It was a great event for Southwest Virginia Democrats. 

And Webb had a very good showing, despite not being there.  :)



A great showing. (Neal2028 - 6/11/2006 1:55:39 PM)
Webb had a great showing.  Miller didn't have any showing.  Of all the folks I talked to yesterday, which was quite a few, none of them were for Miller.