RK ARCHIVE - Hampton Roads Webb for Senate Office Opening Report

This is a good summary email I received from a retired doctor from Georgia who now lives in Chesapeake:

As was mentioned by David Campbell here, there was a great crowd that filled all the rooms of the office suite and extended into the hallway.
How many people does that mean? It was impossible to get a real count because we were all over the place, but the average estimate of the 10 folks I asked (all estimates were between 150 and 200) was around 175 people. Thank goodness it wasn't more because the normally well air conditioned place was hot from all of the bodies in there. Here is a picture of some of very active volunteers in Hampton Roads waiting for Webb's arrival.

The food... terrific spread. My favorite was prepared by a lovely woman, Mrs. Singh of Chesapeake, who brought her signature Indian meatballs. This is she with Secretary Webb...

Monetary donations were ample, in the thousands, and were deposited into this pair of combat boots that adorned the lit table. Pretty cool idea from volunteer Linda Dagley of Norfolk, huh?

Todd Smyth's terrific display board concept was put to use, and people enjoyed the lively pics of Webb, his family, and supporters.

Webb's speech was inspiring, and though I was out in the hall through most all of it, as I couldn't get back in after directing people to new parking lots after the first one filled up, I had the pleasure of hearing most all of it. Webb was interrupted on several occasions with rowdy whoops and applause.

I can definitely say that people are very excited about having such a terrific candidate and are even more committed than before to helping put Webb in office. Very cool.

p.s. Kudos to Sandra Brandt, the Hampton Roads regional coordinator, and to the many volunteers who assisted with making this such a terrific event. Looking forward to seeing all of you volunteers again many times over the next 68 days in and around the office working to get Secretary Webb a new job :-).

Comments

Final picture (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 8:31:07 PM)

The final picture was taken with a camera lifted over people's heads from the hallway during Webb's speech. To the right of Jim Webb is 2nd District Congressional Candidate Phil Kellam, who came to support Jim.

Boots... (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 9:46:45 PM)

Yep. I think people really liked putting money in those boots. And thank you, Eileen, for all you do here for Webb and the Democratic Party in general.

Thanks Susan (JennyE - 8/30/2006 9:16:03 PM)

It's good to see that the Webb field offices are springing up quite nicely.

Are we shooting for a field office in every district? Anyone know?

Todd is brilliant (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 9:55:18 PM)

His display board concept is really fantastic. I am constructing 5 more of these for other parts of Hampton Roads so that they can have them for tabling events.

A point of reference (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 9:52:52 PM)

Kaine won in Virginia Beach, which everyone agrees was a great accomplishment, and I've been told that attendance at the opening of his very nice office here had around 100 people. 175 here is REALLY impressive and a sign of really good things to come for Webb.

Picture (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 10:18:49 PM)

Think I have a picture of you from last night too, Beachydem, and I'll email it to you when I find it. Thanks for all your hard work and for selling all those t-shirts!

HR WEBB Campaign Office Celebration (ncmcpherson - 8/30/2006 10:20:21 PM)

The warmth most felt throughout the crowd was of support for JIM WEBB and in return, his deep appreciation of our support for his campaign. WE ARE THE GRASSROOTS!
This campaign is INCLUSIVE of all who care to participate. Everyone's efforts are important to our goal of a November 7th VICTORY and the beginning of a renewed democracy... Senator Elect Jim Webb.
JIM WEBB is THE MAN that we must have to represent not only Virginia, but all of the citizens of the UNITED STATES. Jim has the VISION and CONVICTION of COURAGE to make the hard decisions necessary to restore INTEGRITY and PRIDE in the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT and reestablish our position as a GREAT World Leader and TRUE DEMOCRACY OF FREEDOM!
Jim knows he didn't get this far alone. To everyone out there...the office is open 10am-9pm. VOLUNTEER your time, whatever minutes/hours you can, to HELP ELECT JIM WEBB! OUR FUTURE IS INTERDEPENDENT. APATHY WILL DESTROY DEMOCRACY!

Sing it sister! (Susan Mariner - 8/30/2006 10:29:50 PM)

I'd almost feel sorry for Allen because Webb's got you on his side. Of course I don't, but I sure am glad you're on Webb's team. Thanks for the countless hours you've spent volunteering for Webb since the signature drive days.

Great to have an office and everything now, isn't it?