It is, as Jim Webb puts it, four days and a wakeup until the election. And tonight was an exciting event in Arlington Virginia where I live, at the Clarendon Ballroom. Wes Clark introduced Jim Webb who introduced Michael J. Fox. That's the public event. I also attended the host event, about which I cannot offer details, beyond saying that it was jammed, enthusiastic, and up close Michael J. Fox remains gracious even despite his malady.
In this diary I will offer observations, analysis, and what of the words of the three speakers I was able to scrawl down. Had you been there, you would know that the words I can offer are a pale comparison of the level of excitement and enthusiasm. Come along for the read.
First, this event sold out and then some. There were people of all kinds of background, all ages. I came armed with lots of Veterans for Webb lapel stickers and bumper stickers, and left with none except the on on my lapel. In fact, one of those In gave away wound up on the label of one of our principal speakers, Gen. Clark.
There was massive press coverage. I saw camera trucks from as far away as Portsmouth Virginia (WAVY TV). Carl Cameron of Fox News. So was Anderson Cooper, who graciously took time to have picture taken (no one asked to have a picture with Cameron as far as I could tell), including one that I can add to my collection. Cooper interviewed Fox, and I expect to see that on his show tonight.
There were many Virginia politicians present. Among those with whom I spoke were Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary, Commissioner of the Revenue Ingrid Morroy (who after all is treasurer of Jim's campaign), Congressman Jim Moran, and two state legislators who are positioning to run for Governor (if Mark Warner does not again), Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran.
I met a number of bloggers I had never met before, for example, Luna from dailykos. And as I walked into the host reception I immediately saw two familiar faces, the man who was my boss for the 8 years I worked in data processing in Arlington County Government and his wife who was at the libraries while I was automating them. It turns out they live 3 doors from Jim Webb, although they have never met him. I was told that their neighborhood, normally quite sedate when it comes to things political, is now enthusiastically for Jim Webb.
As noted above, I tried to copy down parts of the remarks of the three men. Let me offer what I can. I am NOT going to use block quoting, merely quote marks where I have exact quotes, and an indication when I am summarizing.
From Clark:
"Corruption at home, failure abroad, enough is enough."
"People do make a difference in life."
"He didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth"
-- someone from the audience yelled that he was born fighting -
"Yeah, he was born fighting and he didn't quit, either."
"He sees down to the smallest detail but he puts it into the big picture."
Clark praised his writing, with an implicit shot at some of the attacks thereupon.
"When you put Jim Webb in the Senate as Virginia's next senator he's going to fight for Virginia and America."
Jim Webb spoke next:
"We said from the start we would run a positive campaign ... We would not get dragged into the gutter by a Karl Rove campaign ... We have run the right kind of campaign and people have thanked us for it."
Webb offered some criticism for people who strive to remain in power or help others keep power without regard for the needs of the people. He said there was another way of doing things.
"One clear example is an individual hear with me .. who has spoken out on issues of the quality of scientific research... I have been accused of belonging in 1806 and not 2006. When it comes to stem cell research - people how in my view don't understand the value of that belong in 1806."
Speaking of Fox he said "he had the courage to speak for us and talk about the value of scientific research... his own character was assassinated."
"Rush Limbaugh knows a little bit about wrongful use of prescription drugs."
What I didn't know was that Jim has a personal concern about stem cell research - he talked about h wishing he could talk to his mother in her nursing home, but can't - implication being that she has Alzheimer's, although he did not specifically say that.
MJ Fox was funny. "when you do that quote you're supposed to the interpretative dance that goes with it."
"I'm supporting candidates who support all stem cell research where their opponents do not."
"The idea of restricting any of the most promising ones of research is shortsighted."
"I'm not going anywhere."
There are 100 million families affected by a debilitating disease, and there not going anywhere either. And Jim Webb, when he's your United States Senator, will not go anywhere either."
"A vote for Jim Webb is a vote for helping and a better life for millions of Americans."
"We must show up on election day to make our voices heard."
The crowd was enthused, the sense of momentum in Webb's direction is palpable. And the hundreds (perhaps 1,000?) who attended the event were excited, energized.
Four days and a wakeup. Whether this race or the one on which you are working, keep focused, remind yourself of what is at stake.
There is still more for this race. The final event is a culminating rally at Market Square in Alexandria Monday evening. Webb, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, perhaps others, but most of all - the Big Dog - President Clinton will also be there.
In the immortal words of James Brown: "I FEEL GOOD."
Now everyone, get back to work. But get some rest tonight and tomorrow, so we can complete the campaign will full energy.