What I did today part 2: Lynda Robb for Webb

Last Saturday morning, I got a phone call about doing a women’s luncheon in Norfolk with former first lady Lynda Robb for Jim Webb. Mrs. Robb has been holding these events in NoVA but was coming down here for another event so the timing for the event was perfect. Initially, the event was going to be for the wives of black ministers, but over the course of the week, it was expanded to include women in general and then men. Also the attendee list grew. First, we found out that another former first lady, Jinks Holton, would be joining us. Most of the local female General Assembly members committed. Yesterday, we found out that Webb, Congressman Bobby Scott and Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder would be in town for a pep rally at Norfolk State University and would be stopping by the luncheon.

After leaving the taping of the Drake/Kellam debate, I headed over to help get the event set up. The event was held at the United House of Prayer Dining Room, a cafeteria located on Church Street, which was the hub of black life in Norfolk for years and which has become one of the major locations for hosting events within the black community. Laurie Naismith, who really worked hard on putting this together, was already there, putting red, white and blue balloons everywhere. As I was standing outside (putting up more balloons, moving around yard signs), I noticed a woman approaching. It was Lynda Robb, who stuck out her hand and introduced herself. Shortly thereafter, Jinks Holton arrived.

Since they arrived early, those of us working on getting things set up (which by now included several volunteers from the Webb campaign, a couple from the Commonwealth Coalition, and a couple of other members from the Norfolk City Democratic Committee) got the opportunity to chat with the former first ladies. I can say it was quite a treat. Both of them are very warm, friendly women.

Lunch guests started coming in, first a trickle, and then a mini flood as we got closer to the noon starting time. Several of them had come because Senator Yvonne Miller had invited everybody on her radio show this morning. I would guess that we ended up with about 100 people there, most of them black women. Mrs. Robb and Mrs. Holton went from table to table, talking with people.

State Senator Louise Lucas served as MC. About 12:50, she started the speeches. As promised, promptly at 1pm, Webb, Scott, Wilder and Delegate Lionell Spruill – the master of keeping things on schedule – arrived, with the press in tow. Mrs. Robb graciously interrupted her speech to allow first Wilder, then Webb – who only introduced Scott, and Scott to speak. Webb then spoke for a brief time. I saw a bit of Webb’s humor come through in this speech. At one point, he was talking about Allen’s gaffes and how he never commented on them, even though he had been giving ample opportunity. “I’ve been tempted,” he said, cracking a smile.

Webb then went outside and talked to the press. I listened a bit as Mrs. Robb resumed her speech, and then spotting Wilder and Spruill just hanging around outside, decided to step outside to see if I could talk to Wilder. I walked up to him and asked him about Benny Lambert’s endorsement of Allen, telling him that his comment would be posted here. “Everyone is entitled to..” he said, pausing for effect, “his mistake!” He laughed – as did everyone in earshot.

I went back inside and listened to the end of Mrs. Robb’s speech. She was followed by Mrs. Holton and Senator Miller. While Mrs. Robb was speaking, the reporter from the Washington Times asked me who she was (!) and who the other people were at the table.

I went back outside and there was a reporter from the Washington Post out there, Lisa Rein, talking to a couple of women. Interestingly enough, at an event for black women, Rein chose to talk to two white women. I waited until she was done and then mentioned that I found it strange that she would do so. She said that I was assuming that she had not interviewed any of the black women, which was a reasonable assumption since they were all inside listening to the speakers! Anyway – I see she has posted her story. Nope, no black women in it.

I think everybody had a great time and it was a good event for Webb.

When I got home, I got a nice surprise. Checking my answering machine, there was a message from Lynda Robb, thanking me for helping to put together this event. The call had come as she was driving down here. What a classy move from a classy lady!