By the way, I've just got to take this opportunity to point out how deeply wrong the pro-Kilgore bloggers were in 2005, as they spewed forth their nonsense about how we were supposedly "killing the Kaine campaign." Even at the time, it was ridiculous, but in hindsight it's simply rolling-on-the-floor funny. Even funnier is that they tried the same line again, all about how we were "killing the Webb campaign!" Yeah, must have been that $4+ million (out of $8 million total) we raised online, or the 18,000 volunteers Josh and company organized. What. Ever.
The fact is, the people most directly affected by our blogging - Tim Kaine, for starters - knew that the right-wing line of attack was nonsense. Next time you hear it (and there's no question, they'll be back), just keep that in mind.
Anyway, the reception at the Governor's Mansion was a lot of fun and was much appreciated by the RK crew. Besides Josh, Rob, Eric and me, other guests included First Lady Anne Holton, Governor's Council Larry Roberts, DPVA chief Amy Reger, and a selection of staffers from the Governor's office, the Governor's PAC and the VA Democratic Party. All in all, there were about 15-20 people total.
One of the best aspects of the event was that it was informal; mainly folks snacking off silver trays, drinking, and chatting. The Governor spent an extra hour, beyond the original schedule, with us. He even gave us his personalized tour of the mansion. One of the highlights was the room where Jefferson Davis gave Robert E. Lee command of the Confederate army (cool!). The Governor also pointed out the location where he delivered the 2006 State of the Union Rebuttal ("there is a better way"), as well as the room where "Stonewall" Jackson was embalmed (ironically the current location of the bar).
Perhaps the most memorable part of the evening was when Gov. Kaine gathered everyone together in a circle and spent about 10 solid minutes - after everyone had introduced themselves, and Josh and I had made short remarks - describing the work Raising Kaine had done and how much he appreciated our efforts. Both the Governor and his wife said that they read Raising Kaine every day. Now THAT is a funny flattering frightening thought! :)
Anyway, thanks to Gov. Kaine for inviting us to the mansion and for being such a gracious host. From all of us here at Raising Kaine, we are honored that you spent a couple of hours with us on June 14. We greatly appreciate your hospitality and your kind words. We certainly will disagree occasionally on policy issues, but let nobody out there ever claim that Tim Kaine is not a class act through and through. Also, let nobody ever claim that Virginia isn't infinitely better off with Tim Kaine as our Governor than we would have been with (shudder) Jerry Kilgore. And on, that is NOT meant as a backhanded compliment! :)