Yesterday was a dramatic exercise in contrast. On the one hand, a Virginia Beach Republican breakfast with featured speaker Senator Nick Rerras. On the other, a rural Mathews County Democratic evening crab feast featuring Dr. Ralph Northam, Senator Rerras' opponent in the November general election.
Senator Rerras worked the crowd, getting an escort to each table, meeting and greeting the attendees. He appeared subdued with strangers. Dr. Northam worked the crowd effortlessly, going to each table on his own, meeting and greeting the attendees. He was open and animated among a group with whom he shares rural Chesapeake Bay roots.
No Republican of statewide notoriety was present at the breakfast, but if you can afford it, Attorney General McDonnell will be doing a local fundraiser for Senator Rerras soon. Senator Creigh Deeds was there in Mathews County to lend humor and welcome support to the Democratic candidate.
Senator Rerras spent an uncomfortably long 30 minutes talking, the first eight of which were something of tales about his family, finally finding his pace near the end. Future Senator Northam promised and delivered on the three "B's": being brief, being brilliant; being gone; in less than a minute he had introduced his wife and daughter, thanked the group, then got down to issues, finishing in a brilliantly brief three minutes 40 seconds.
Senator Rerras made vague references to two or three bills he claimed to have carried during his career in the General Assembly, foisting a bloody flag at each turn: demonizing the Democrats who he characterized as being unpatriotic, anti-prayer, and pro-sex offender. [UPDATE by Rob: Ironic, isn't it?] Dr Northam, on the other hand, said that there is far too much bickering going on in Richmond right now. He listed the issues he has heard about from the constituency in Mathews county: education, the environment (particularly the Bay), and access to affordable health care.
Senator Rerras talked about his talented campaign staff. Dr. Northam talked about getting out to talk and listen to the electorate; looking forward to hearing from them.
The moods at the two locations were distinctly different. At one, the crowd seemed to have a chip on its collective shoulder, hunkering down for battle. At the other there was light-hearted and spirited camaraderie and enthusiasm. I remember the sea change that swept Senator Webb into office and noted those attributes in the two competing camps then. Dr. Northam talks about the choice to move backward or forward. It is clear that Senator Rerras is looking back over his shoulder while Dr. Northam sees the possibilities for a better future. Watch for more waving of bloody flags by Senator Rerras while Dr. Northam leads the way to a better Virginia.
Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!
Sorry he didn't give you anything you wanted to record.
As far as Northam wanting to "get out to talk and listen to the electorate," maybe the Democrat shouldn't have NO SHOWED the first debate.