So who didn't show?????
By: teacherken
Published On: 5/19/2007 6:14:25 PM
It is Saturday May 19. The primary is 3 and half weeks a way. Mary Margaret Whipple had a fundraiser at the Arlington Arts Center, largely to help raise money for other state senate candidates. Governor Kaine was the principal attraction. And lots of Arlington Democrats were there, present and former office holders. People were there from Falls Church, from Fairfax. But there was one person notable by his absence. Who was it?
Delegates Adam Ebbin and Al Eisenberg were there. County Board members Jay Fisette, Barbara Favola and Chris Zimmerman made appearances,albeit brief. Treasurer Frank O'Leary, Commissioner Ingrid Morroy were there. Former delegates Judy Connolly and Karen Darner tended bar. Retiring Clerk of the Court Dave Bell was present.
Notice yet who was missing?
Mary Hynes, formerly of the school board, now running for County Board, was present. So were former Board members Ellen Bozman and John Milliken. Joe Abbey, the campaign manager for Chap Peterson, made an appearance. Larry Roberts, former chair of the Arlington Dems was there, as was current chair Peter Rousselot. Charlene Bickford, Jim Turpin, Sue Prokop, Dick Barton - all present.
State Senate Candidate Janet Oleszek was there.
But if you looked over at the badges there was a name of someone who had contributed, but could not be bothered to make an appearance. Figured out which candidate for a competitive office in the forthcoming primary was not there? Not yet? Here's a hint.
His nemesis, James Martin, made an appearance.
But Bob James was a no show. I wonder why he could not be bothered to show up at an event honoring an important Arlington Democratic figure. Not even for 30 minutes of the scheduled two hours. What does that say about his commitment to the Arlington Democratic party? Just saying. . . .
Comments
Bob James was there (Del. Adam Ebbin - 5/19/2007 7:49:30 PM)
Hi Ken,
It was nice to see you at Sen Whipple's shindig. I did see Bob James there. He may have been late, but he was there.
Damn... (James Martin - 5/19/2007 7:59:12 PM)
I missed another opportunity to meet Mr. James (i would rather like to ask him about... well not paying his taxes for one!)
James
was he trying to be incognito, I wonder? (teacherken - 5/19/2007 8:06:20 PM)
as you will note in my response to Adam, I was operating on the fact that I saw his name tag still on the table in front when I walked by it about 10 minutes after Gov. Kaine had spoken. In fact, I went looking for you to point it out, because I thought you might want to write about it. But by then you had left, so I decided to put up this diary.
Too bad - it would be a better story if he had not shown up. I suppose later is better than not showing at all.
Oh well . . .
Showing up late (Arturo - 5/19/2007 9:06:05 PM)
Showing up way after the Governor's speech might as well be a no show.
did he have his nametag on? (teacherken - 5/19/2007 8:04:11 PM)
I apologize if I am wrong, but what caught my attention was that after the Governor had spoken his nametag was still on the table. That surprised me.
I noted how quickly the other politicos left after that.
He must have been quite late.
Again, I accept your word that he was there. He certainly was not introduced with the others.
A side note - I noticed the governor caught himself on the state senate when he talked about 16 seats being defended - I think he almost dissed Bennie Lambert but caught himself and corrected it to 17.
Hahahaha! (Arturo - 5/19/2007 7:56:45 PM)
This is funny. Bob James must have been worried that he would be photographed with his nemesis. Or he really does not give a sh*t about the Arlington Democratic Party.
where in the world is Bob James (interestedvoter - 5/19/2007 9:13:55 PM)
It is indeed surprising there was no Bob James today - but don't assume he contributed, in Arlington policy is candidates get in for free, even though some contribute anyway so a nametag does not signify contribution, just a point of information. Guess he knew he would be in O'Leary Land.
Everyone knows (Arturo - 5/20/2007 4:56:15 PM)
Now that the world knows about his tax delinquencies, Bob James is probably in hiding, and shows up towards the end of the event. That way he doesn't have to answer questions from the public about his past due tax payments. His payment record is embarrasing.
Bob James (davebain - 5/21/2007 8:48:23 AM)
...isn't there a Republican somewhere Bob James can run against--like over in Maryland where he is from? I would not call it impeccable judgment to choose to come down to Virginia to run against a Dem who happens to be the most efficient treasurer in the USA.
PA (Arturo - 5/21/2007 9:29:41 AM)
I think Bob James is from Philadelphia, PA. At least, that is where he went to (private) school.