It was a slightly cool but beautiful afternoon in Countryside Sterling in Eastern Loudoun County for the rally for Jim Webb at O'Faolains Irish Pub. While we were setting up (stringing balloons and assembling Webb and Feder yard signs) everyone was upbeat at the progress of the campaigns, many of us are veterans of the Kaine, Poisson, and Herring races that have shocked the Common Wisdom crowd and we all see the same conditions (or better) now than we did at the same point in those races.
One early arrival was Allen's video tracker, many of us recognized him immediately. He was announced as a moderate republican (to cheers as everyone was in such a great mood) and some people posed with him for pictures (including the Loudoun County Democratic Committee chair Thom Beres who was hosting and underwriting this event. Beer, soda, and snacks were free). I'm not sure how he took it but everyone was very nice to him (kill 'em with kindness).
I was very pleased that there were so many people that I did not recognize so the momentum is rapidly building. We had a wonderful time waiting while we traded campaign stories and met several very excited new Democrat's (including many who asked how to get involved in LCDC).
The crowd grew to 250+ and as each guest arrived a tremendous ovation rose (and chanting such as 'JUDY... JUDY... JUDY') but, as expected, the greatest cheering erupted as Jim Webb stepped out of his vehicle.
The excitement mounted as Thom Beres, in his 'Veterans for Webb' t-shirt, climbed a barrel in the middle of the outside court and related that the scene reminded him of when he was addressing his troops before Desert Storm, That they were all excited just as we were. Thom welcomed everyone there and introduced all of the guests (again, cheers all around) and handed the stage (uhm, barrel) over to David Poisson.
Poisson told us that, although he and Mark Herring tried, they came home empty handed from the transportation special session. He said 'People ask me what is the problem? Is it Democrat vs. Republican? Northern Virginia vs. Southern Virginia? Urban vs. Rural?', Dave then rejoined 'I tell them it is Terrestrial vs. Extraterrestrial. These guys are from another planet!!'. Dave proceeded to reprise just how closely this race was mirroring his own and Kaine's and how, if we keep fighting through election day, the result will also be the same. Dave said how he had been privileged to be associated with many great American's including Senator Dick Durbin for whom he had been chief of staff and counsel when Durbin was a House Member. He related that Durbin told him that his highest priority was getting Webb elected to help him in the Senate (Dave quipped that some bosses never stop giving you orders). At this time Dave introduced Jim.
As Jim stepped up on the barrel he mentioned that he was not used to speaking with people all around him (at which point someone yelled 'We're ALL behind you Jim'). Since this was not a stump speech kind of setting Jim spoke extemporaneously telling the crowd that the scene reminded him that the Marine Corp had started with a meeting in a tavern.
Jim recalled that when he first started this campaign he was told that one of the rules of politicking was to never allow anyone to take a picture of you holding a beer. Jim then proceeded to raise his glass for a mass toast. Jim also remarked that every time he campaigns with Judy Feder he gets the feeling that he is about five cups of coffee behind since she is so energetic.
Jim then spoke of gaining strength from these events when he witnesses the energy with which the people of Virginia are longing for a change in our government. He reiterated the key reasons that he was drawn to this quest, To fix our failed national security structure and foreign policy so America can once again be truly safe, To restore the basic economic fairness that allowed all Americans a chance at fulfilling their ambitions, and to reign in the abuses and excesses of the current administration.
After Jim finished speaking Judy Feder got up to say a few things, she mentioned that ever since she announced that she was going to run against Frank Wolf many people would come up to her to tell her how brave she is. Judy told the crowd to remember Pluto, if we can get rid of a planet we can GET RID OF FRANK WOLF!!!
The event was an unqualified success and we distributed massive amounts of bumper stickers and yard signs.
The crowd was so large that it was hard to move around.
I'll find a pic to post.
(running and ducking)
Thanks for the pics Rena.
Well, maybe he'll pretend to support Allen for the sake of his paycheck, but come election day he'll be voting for Webb.
Virginia Women for Webb
State Senator Mark Herring and (most of his) Family with Jim
Judy Feder and David Poisson
More pics
