I got to Richmond around 4pm, only to find that Broad Street had become something of a parking lot! After circling the block, I managed to find the entrance to the parking garage and headed over to pick up my press credentials. (I already had my dinner pass.) Once inside, I took a look at the 250 tables packed on the basketball court known as the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center and I knew it was going to be an interesting evening.
Almost immediately, I ran into fellow blogger James Martin. We chatted a bit and I kidded him about not having Tier 1 press access, which he assured me he did because he got an email telling him so (I didn’t get the email, btw) so he headed over to get the bright yellow-green dot affixed to his pass. Once he got back, we decided to head over to
the reception being held in a big white tent on the other side of the building for the table sponsors. Walking over, we ran into Creigh Deeds and his wife, Pam. We were a bit early, but that was OK, as it allowed us a chance to chat with other early arrivals, some I’ve met before, like Eileen Manning and Rachel Rifkind, and others I hadn’t, like George Burke. The room begin to fill up. I got a chance to speak very briefly with Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, and was introduced to Gerry Connolly, about whom I’ve heard much!
Before the speeches started, I ran into Amy Reger, the outgoing Executive Director of the DPVA. 
Next I ran into the incoming executive director, Levar Stoney, who was there with his girlfriend. Levar has done a heck of a job as political director for the DPVA and is an excellent choice for Executive Director, although Harry Byrd is probably spinning in his grave 😉 The position of political director is now open. I asked Levar about this and he said they will be looking at resumes. Former Governor and current Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder, former governor Mark Warner, Governor Tim Kaine and Congressman Bobby Scott were among those in attendance at this reception. Also there was 2nd Congressional District candidate Glen Nye.Del. Bob Brink was there and mentioned that he had lost his buddies. I reminded him that this was a good time to use his cell phone 🙂 and he said he had gotten a garbled message and had no idea where they were!
When we headed back to the main building, we were directed to stand in line again to go through security. This wa s contrary to what we had been told when we exited the building. Oh well. By the time I got back in and tried to get to the general reception, it was almost over and everyone was headed out to the dining area. I ran into Del. Kris Amundson – asked if she had caught up with Bob Brink (she had) – and Senator Toddy Puller. I also ran into some Norfolk and Virginia Beach Democrats before heading in to dinner.
The tables were packed really close together, making moving around difficult. I had always enjoyed visiting others at their tables but honestly, I just couldn’t do it this year. I also found it a bit strange that the only thing to drink on the table was water (where was the tea?) and it was warm, at that. There seemed to be some confusion amongst the waitstaff as to what they could and could not do. One brought me a beer ($5!) but another one said they couldn’t do that. Our table was near the front – on the third row – so we were halfway through our dinner before the invocation.
The program got underway soon after, starting with a “welcome” by Mayor Wilder. The mayor used his time to talk about Obama. This set the tone for the evening and I felt it was quite inappropriate, given that this was a Democratic Party event, not an Obama rally. After the parade of legislators, Del. Jennifer McClellan – looking lovely as usual – did the grassroots presentation. She also had the privilege of introducing Senator Hillary Clinton.
Clinton came on stage and gave a great speech. I could tell she was tired but she stayed on point and delivered her message. Others have commented on the support for Hillary in the room. (It is interesting to note that in the program, two of the nine top-tier sponsors and three of the 19 second-tier sponsors were listed as “Hillary for President” supporters, while there were none so identified for Barack Obama.) The Hillary signs were all over the dining area and people mobbed the walk area when she left the stage, hoping for a glimpse. I stood on a chair next to the rail (hey, I’m short 😦 ) and yelled at the Senator, who looked up, smiled and waved. (Of course, by the time I got my camera up, the moment had passed 😦 )
After her speech, I figured it might be a good time to try to make it to the bathroom. That was an ordeal. Trying to find a path through the tables, I finally made it to the stairs. Once back upstairs, I ran into three bloggers – phriendlyjaime, Thad and Anonymous is a Woman – chatting. After hitting the ladies room, I went outside with the first two to have a smoke. Once there, we ran into Ben Tribbett, who was heading back to his hotel. We headed back inside.
By the time I got a Diet Coke and headed back to my seat, Governor Kaine had come on to introduce Obama. Kaine was even worse in his remarks than Wilder had been. He turned it into an 
Obama rally, which I found extremely disappointing. A group of defiant Hillary supporters at a table near me stood up with their Hillary signs. Obama came on and started his speech, which was mainly an attack on Hillary Clinton. So much for hope and bringing people together. Another disappointment.
It was already late by this time and given that I had a 90 minute drive in front of me, I decided to head out and beat the traffic. I wasn’t alone – the buses outside transporting people back to the Marriott were filing up with folks.
Somebody please remind me never to attend a JJ Dinner in a presidential election year again.
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Not recognized in last night’s festivities was David Mills, who also is leaving the DPVA and who put together last night’s event. David, thank you for all of your service to the DPVA. I wish you and Jennifer the best of everything as you pursue your lives together.
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UPDATE: I may have missed the shot but the person standing next to me didn’t 🙂 And he sent me the picture. Thanks, David!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I find it amusing that you say that Hillary “dragged us into the Iraq war” and then say that I haven’t refuted your “factual” statements. Wow. Didn’t know that one person’s vote made the difference on our entry into the war. That’s why I haven’t wasted any energy refuting your “factual” statements because, well, they aren’t “factual.”
As for Ds attacking Ds – well, if you want to have a hand in destroying the Democratic Party, then we have nothing more to talk about.This event was for all Democrats, not just the Hillhaters/Obamamaniacs. The Republicans get the party loyalty thing. It’s a lesson so-called Democrats haven’t learned yet.
I dont really think the GOP get’s the party loyalty thing. Did anyone see on CSPAN the boos that McCain got? ouch! They get pretty much heated too.
Let’s just put it this way. I’m a die hard, loyal to the core Redskins fan. However, I still love my friends who root for Dallas. Let’s root for our team and not belittle the other team. At the end of the day, shake hands and share a beer.
I’m still giddy over the fact that people are showing up to rallies, selling out the JJ, and making this party grow. I remember the horrible election night of 1994 when we lost everything but Chuck Robb. I remember the dark days of Allen, Gilmore, and cannot wait until 1/21/09. I remember the days when people didn’t want to admit to even admit they were Democrats. I was proud to be a Virginia Dem then, and and am still proud today.
Us Democrats are a passionate bunch and we should be proud to have two phenomonal candidates.
Let’s cheer Tuesday, regardless of who wins. We will have a large turnout for the Democrats and know confidently that come November we will have a Democratic victory.
I think Hillary Clinton did everything she personally could to drag us into the Iraq war, and defended her position long after more reasonable people had admitted their mistake. As President, she WOULD be able to make these decisions unilaterally. As for Democrats attacking Democrats, please read your post above and tell me honestly that you truly believe it isn’t a straightforward attack on Democratic candidate Obama and on each and every enthusiastic Democratic Obama supporter in the room who took the time and trouble and expense to show up to this Democratic event and to support their Democratic candidate. YOU are attacking fellow Democrats, Vivian, whether you understand that or not. Worse yet, you’re attacking what is almost certainly a MAJORITY of Virginia Democrats.
Just so we’re clear, I was in a section of enthusiastic Obama supporters. When Hillary Clinton came on, we rose, clapped, cheered, and continued to do so at many points throughout her speech as well as at the end. I think she made some excellent points, although to me she looked like she was tired and still getting over the flu. I only wish some of the Hillary Clinton supporters had been as polite, but apparently they cannot bring themselves to show other Democrats the courtesy they demand on behalf of their preferred candidate.
When people like Donna Brazile are threatening to quit the party over strongarm tactics from party leadership, it might be wise to step back and reconsider. All those voters with their messy enthusiasm are going to have the final say, whether the Clinton camp likes it or not.
No, spotter. I said I was disappointed. In fact, I hardly mentioned Obama at all. You are reading stuff that isn’t there and that I haven’t said. My attack at this point is on the the point that you made saying that Hillary’s single vote “dragged us into the Iraq war,” which is absurd. And where is the proof that Hillary “did everything she personally could do to drag us into the Iraq war”? Talk about an attack!
So let’s be very clear: you think that because I’m “disappointed” in the behavior of the leaders of the Democratic Party, that is somehow an attack on all Democrats who support Obama.
One heck of leap you are making there
Kaine can say anything he wants, however, lets remember this was a State Party Fundraiser, people who supported HIllary as well as Obama paid big bucks, and everyone should be respected for their choice. I think that is part of the problem, we are not setting back and saying, hey we have two great choices, instead we are beating up people who don’t agree with us. Can’t we save that for the republicans, remember, as Democrats we are ALL ON THE SAME SIDE HERE!!!! WE WILL SUPPORT the winner, let’s not let folks who are just cought up with the hipe divide us please, the republicans do enough of that!!!
Spotter why don’t you just go back to bed and wake up again. Possibly you will be in the real world again. If that doesn’t work then I suggest you get on your computer and back up what you say with facts. Better yet, just stop attacking everything and everyone and have a civil conversation.
When people like Donna Brazile are threatening to quit the party over strongarm tactics from party leadership
and what tactics are they> the super delegates? the news has been all over this for naught. many of those same delegates said they would vote what their state votes.
so don’t darn the party “leadership”. There are rules that were voted on by the members of the national party and they are being abided by. we just happen to have two great candidates that people are still voting on in a primary.
you do like to vote don’t you???
SJ-
You nailed it!
It was great to have a JJ where you didn’t struggle to stay awake until the hospitality suites. We do have two amazing candidates and need to unify around our party’s nominee come November. We need to pick up congressional seats and make sure Mark Warner gets to the Senate. I’m also happy as heck that the party raised 750k! That’s great. It’s time for people to sit back, look at the big picture, and agree that we may disagree about our primary preferences but we are all Democrats who want Democrats to get elected and unite this country.
I was impressed by the young people in the stands yelling support for their Presidential candidates. They were never rude when the opposing candidate spoke. It was agreat evening to be a Democrat. Obama elicited the loudest response. However, I did not hear a negative word spoken about Clinton.
While in line to hear Bill Clinton today in Fredericksburg, I did heard a few folks who attended the JJ dinner from this area say that they’d never go to another JJ, saying as you’ve said, that it was a rally for Obama. One said where they were sitting Obama supporters were heckling Hillary so much that their table couldn’t even hear her at times. They were a bit surprised at how some of the Obama supporter were so rude. So take what I say with a grain of salt as I wasn’t there….it’s just what they said. I went to the JJ two years ago and had a pleasant evening listening to Ed Rendell!!!
SJ — good comment.
Spotter — Your vapid, baseless attack tactics are annoying people everywhere on the blogosphere. How about going away for awhile. BTW, you are doing your candidate incredible damage. If Obama’s like you….no thank you.
Obama is not like Spotter and some of his other more vociferous supporters, who have probably done his campaign some damage.
There is nothing wrong with having passion for your candidate. I’m an Obama supporter and proud of it. But frankly, Spotter, if it weren’t for people who have been as nasty as you, I’d have thrown my support to him much sooner. I liked him. And I knew John Edwards, my first choice, was not going to get the nomination. But I just couldn’t jump aboard the Obama bandwagon until I absolutely had to
That’s directly because of you and others who have said publicly that if he didn’t win, you would not back Hillary. Yes, that actually did turn off potential Obama supporters. Fortunately most of us are open minded and listened to what he had to say and tuned you out.
Here’s what Paul Krugmain, a man I admire very much had to say:
I’m sorry to say that this describes you and some of your fellow Obama supporters to a T and it’s very disappointing.
I don’t think Vivian is out of line at all. Unfortunately, you have been for a while now.