UPDATE: As they become available, I will add links to the JJ videos of the candidates. Click on the candidate’s name below for the link to their video.
I headed up to Richmond Saturday afternoon after a day of work. I entered the Richmond Convention Center from the back of the building. Once inside, I ran into some folks that I knew, who prompted me to head out front and see the display put on by gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. Apparently, I had just missed the parade as his volunteers were putting away a stack of signs. The large thingamajig holding up his name was there for all to see, along with signs on every pole. I guess if you got it, flaunt it.
I planned my arrival with around the start of the VIP reception, so after a few minutes, I headed upstairs. One of the first people to come into the room was Senator Jim Webb. As I had my niece, Janna, with me, I wanted to introduce her to the various electeds in attendance. (And yes, there was a test later 🙂 ) The room quickly filled up, making moving around a bit difficult. I did have a chance to chat with a number of people, though, and if I start listing them all, I’m sure to leave someone out. One of the more interesting conversations I had was with Brian Moran’s campaign manager, Andrew Roos.
Shortly after 7, we were asked to head to the dining room. After last year’s event at the Alltel Pavilion, this year’s seemed much more intimate – and I mean that in a positive way. There was actually room to move around, although because we had gotten downstairs a little late, there wasn’t a whole lot of time to do so. I joined my host, LG candidate Rich Savage, at his table, where we were accompanied by his twin 15-year old daughters, Viola Baskerville’s two sons, and several others. My niece joined the other Savage table, whose guests included former Richmond mayor Rudy McCollum.
DPVA chair C. Richard Cranwell started things off by providing opening remarks. Richmond mayor Dwight Jones brought greetings and provided the invocation. Immediately afterwards, Congressman Bobby Scott gave his remarks,and then Delegate Lionell Spruill, Sr. introduced the keynote speaker, former President Bill Clinton. Missing from this was the annual parade of legislators, no doubt a nod to this being an election year and the ongoing issue of whether the JJ Dinner should be held during the session.
What was weird, though, was having the keynote address before dinner. I don’t know what the deal was here – perhaps he had another engagement. Nevertheless, it was worth the delay of dinner as Clinton did a great job, speaking from notes only to make sure he didn’t miss any names of folks to be recognized at the beginning. He seemed extremely comfortable, reminding Virginia Democrats of the need to come together after the primary. That, along with his urging that Democrats to deal with HOW to do things as opposed to just throwing money at problems, were the two parts of his speech that stuck with me.
It was after his speech that dinner was served. Then the fun started. Each of the five candidates for LG produced videos that were shown at various points during the evening. I found Mike Signer’s a little strange. I mean – did he really intend to imply that the LG just sits around waiting for the Governor to die? In her video, Pat Edmonson said that she wasn’t there because she and her staff were helping out at a local shelter. But then I ran into her coming out of the room a little later. Savage’s video was funny, while Jody Wagner’s and Jon Bowerbank’s were informative.
In between those videos were the speeches of the gubernatorial candidates. Both Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran had videos of their own introducing them, while Creigh Deeds chose to have two of his children introduce him. McAuliffe was the first of the candidates to speak. I’ve seen him speak before and while nothing he said was new to me, he seemed nervous in his delivery, almost shouting as he read his speech. The little chant thing he had going on with the folks at his 39(!) tables was too orchestrated for my liking.
From the standpoint of delivery, Moran gave the best speech that I’ve ever heard him give. He was relaxed, his tone even. As big a supporter of Moran as I am, though, I have to be honest: I quickly tired of the zingers directed at McAuliffe. (Recall, if you will, my similar disappointment with Ds attacking Ds at last year’s event.) It is possible to separate yourself from the pack – by your positions on the issues, by new ideas – without dissing your opponent. I had several people come up to me afterwards (not to mention a few phone calls on Sunday) that raised the same issue. I believe Brian Moran to be the best candidate for governor. And I hope he starts believing it, too.
As for Deeds’ speech – well, I missed most of it. I have heard that it was a good one, if a bit unfocused.
During the long evening (isn’t there a way to shorten these things?), we also heard from our three new Congressman and our Senators. Glen Nye introduced Jim Webb, Tom Perriello introduced Mark Warner, and Gerry Connolly introduced Governor Tim Kaine, whose remarks wrapped up the evening. After visiting with some other folks for a bit, I headed back to Norfolk.
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Tons of other coverage of the JJ is on the net, including on The Washington Post blog, Blue Commonwealth, and the AP.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Pat Edmonson and her staff made it back to the dinner toward the end of Tim Kaine’s speech. They were at the homeless shelter serving meals, and they did give their seats to workers as a shelter and residents. Because the residents had to work the next morning, they unfortunately had to leave early.
It is also worth noting that the $175 dinner ticket is equal to one month’s food budget for the homeless shelter Pat visited. (referencing the press release from Pat’s campaign). We simply cannot bring sustaining change to this Commonwealth until those who are ignored are given a voice. That is the message of Pat’s campaign, and I am thrilled to finally be able to support a progressive Democrat who understands this. Through her message of empowerment, Pat is making great strides (such as very healthy fund raising totals) and is the best choice to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
Good coverage Vivian … your notice of the “parade of legislators” seemed in keeping with Jennifer McClellan asking the DPVA’s State Steering Committee to consider moving the JJ to a time when the legislature is not in session …
“[D]id he really intend to imply that the LG just sits around waiting for the Governor to die?”
Which begs the question, what DOES the LG do (besides campaign for governor)?
It was sooooo cold in the convention center, I thought it might snow!! Some people, luckily, brought their coats.
The Mc Auliffe speech was too much. The table in front of us were for Terry and had scripts to make sure the yelled when Terry said a certain phrase. He put out some big bucks paying for almost 40 tables, with bottles of wine on each table.
It was way over the top.
I thought Brian’s speech was thoughtful and informative.
I thought it brought a lot of people to his campaign.
Hey Viv! The funniest part of the whole thing was Pat Edmonson’s video. I especially like the way two-man team was stirring nothing in the big pots (was one actually stirring a towel of some sort???), while she was preparing to feed Richmond’s homeless at the “shelter”. I don’t know my way around Richmond, but how convenient to have a shelter apparently across the street from the convention center, as to not miss her meet-and-greet after everyone made their speeches! Brilliant!
janna,
if you did know your way around Richmond, then you would probably know that there are shelters and – yes – homeless people in Richmond. I’m not sure where you live, but you can be assured there are poor people there as well. You are an example of what is wrong with out of touch elitists who do not care to get involved. Maybe you should come to Richmond and find out how ignorant you truly are.
Evan – you are new here. One thing we don’t do is personal attacks. Just because you don’t like the observation doesn’t give you carte blanche to call someone elitist and ignorant.
You can advocate on behalf of your candidate without resorting to name calling.
Vivian, I found myself nodding in agreement at several of your points. I like Brian and think he’s an excellent candidate, but I was disturbed at his zingers at McAuliffe. I thought Moran’s video, where the last sentence that flashed up was “It Takes More Than Money” or some thing was brilliant. It made his point.
Everybody knew what he was referring to and it got some gasps, but it made the point, after Terry McAuliffe’s rather over the top antics – the bombardment of signs, beginning in the morning, the brass band in front of the entrance to the convention center, the 39 tables with chanters, etc. But Brian should have simply stopped with that one sentence in the video. He’s far too good and the nastiness is actually uncharacteristic.
One other thing, I was very surprised when Pat Edmonson’s video said she was skipping the dinner to work at a homeless shelter. I spotted her at the VIP reception earlier – the same reception I saw you at. And if you saw Pat at the end of the dinner, that shelter must be very close to the convention center and she must have been doling out food in some very fancy duds.
Not saying it’s impossible – and yes, within blocks of the center, you see some very depressed neighborhoods. But I remain skeptical about Ms. Edmonson.
vjp, this coming from someone who first reported on edmonson’s candidacy by suggesting she had been paid to run by Bowerbank? Perhaps the rules only apply to others? That is certainly your right as the blog owner. It does not make you any less hypocritical.
I like Edmonson, but I also really like Signer. I go back and forth the more I read from them, but with either one I will be able to support a true progressive. I spoke with a Signer rep today and will probably volunteer with his campaign, as I think having an LG from Northern Virginia would be valuable. I just reject establishment candidates who do nothing to move progressive issues forward.
Um, try again, Evan. Here is my report on this. Show me where I said anything about that.
Perhaps you read something somewhere else?
Um, pray tell, what does this mean?
“There is a rumor going around about how and why Edmonson decided to run, but I won’t repeat it. Suffice it to say that if the rumor is true, it says something about the people involved and the lengths to which they will go. (Nothing new there, right?)”
Evan, you said:
And I said:
Am I missing something? Where is Bowerbank’s name? Where do I say anything about someone being paid to run?
Again, you are new around here, Evan. And for the moment, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. But don’t put words in my mouth, as you have no idea which of the many rumors I was referring to.
I overheard you saying it in a group function. You, of ALL people should now how gossip and innuendo can damage a candidate’s reputation. You are a blogger, but you obviously attempt to conduct yourself as a journalist. You should probably act that way all the time, instead of spreading your own gossip.
Note that you did say:
“But don’t put words in my mouth, as you have no idea which of the many rumors I was referring to.”
So how many rumors are you bantering about concerning candidates for political office?