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 
Funny, as I don’t spread rumors so what you must have overheard, if you overheard anything at all, was a conversation in which folks were discussing the rumors floating around and I happened to be there.
Now you are attacking me for something you allegedly heard me say, and after I proved that I wrote no such thing.
Again, we don’t do personal attacks on this blog and commenting here is a privilege. You can either play by the rules or find another sandbox.
Evan, if you’re going to successfully astroturf for your candidates, you’ll not only have to work on your delivery a bit, but realize that the best way to get good results is *not* by taking unwarranted shots at your host.
I actually felt bad for you when those “rumors” started going around about you. I thought it was wrong for someone to do that. You tend to remind me of the little ladies in the beauty shop in “Steel Magnolias”. “I don’t gossip but…” Why support progressive candidates when we can just as easily accuse them of hiding out in the bathroom over dinner. I guess it would be too caring for you to offer to post the shelter that she was at so that people could give to those in need. I’d love to see Jody Wagner at a shelter serving food other than popcorn.
“Evan, if you’re going to successfully astroturf for your candidates, you’ll not only have to work on your delivery a bit, but realize that the best way to get good results is *not* by taking unwarranted shots at your host.”
MB..
If the host is going to act responsibly, there is no reason to question their motives. I actually support Mike Signer, but do respect Edmonson a lot.
Oh, “Evan”, do try harder. You say:
Upthread you said:
Confused, are we? I can’t say that Virginia blogs have a terribly demanding standard when it comes to discussion, but switching candidates in the course of a single comment thread? Doesn’t meet that low low threshold. Try harder, or go away.
I support both of them. I support every Democrat willing to talk about progressive issues. I support any Democrat who is not willing to sacrifice their values to win an election. I support any Democrat who is willing to put their neck on the line, to remind the rest of us about people out there who are going through real hardships. Signer is very progressive, so is Edmonson. Out of the whole field, those are two I would actually show up for. The rest is like a watered down version of Bolling.
Ok first off, I want to where Janna is getting that there was nothing in pots. I just watched the video again on Ms. Edmonson’s website and see nothing to suspect that. Secondly, I have talked to Pat’s campaign and I saw her leaving the convention before the dinner. Apparently she came to the convention center to meet the family before going to the shelter. The shelter is located on main street, a few blocks from the convention center. Btw look at a map, Richmond isnt that big you can drive across the whole city in like 20 minutes. She came back after things at the shelter were winding down. Should clarify things. On a sidenote, dont you all think its a little tacky to be questioning someone who was helping disadvantaged people?
One more thing, the dinner started at 7 and ended at 1030. You all are seriously going to say that 3 and a half hours isnt enough time to go help at a shelter and then come back?
janna,
One thing that you are “not” is an out of touch elitist. And, you certainly are “not” ignorant. I watched the video and saw the same as you, the towel in the pot was interesting.
A truly ignorant person is one who assumes too much and makes statements about someone they don’t even know.
T-shirt,
We do not call people ignorant on this blog. Unless you are the blog owner. Then you can spread malicious rumors about people and at the same time complain that people are doing it to you.
In the space a few hours, you have managed to personally attack four people people on this blog. Find another place to play, Evan.
All I am stating is that her video looked phony to me. Am I not allowed to say that? And I am not questioning the number of homeless shelters that exist in Richmond…I would hope there would be many! I believe in the service the shelters provide for those in need. The least Pat could’ve done is shown up like the others, instetad of appearing in WHAT APPEARED TO ME as a phony set up. If that makes me an ignorant, out of touch elitist, then so be it.
And now Evan threatens me. From his email:
Evan – I don’t take kindly to threats, neither public nor private.
You think you know so much – go ask Pat who helped with her School Board campaign. As a matter of fact, ask her about the 4X8 sign posts and where she got them. Ask her who helped with her financial reports.
I have no idea why you think you heard me say something I didn’t say. And who said anything about McAuliffe?
I have worked my butt off for Democratic candidates throughout the Commonwealth. Anyone who says differently is a liar.
No, the only thing hypocritical here is that you come on my blog, attack people, and think I’m going to sit back and let it happen.
No way, no how.
“you come on my blog, attack people, and think I’m going to sit back and let it happen.”
That’s my job!
Vivian:
I saw you from a distance at the JJ but you were walking away so I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce myself. I was volunteering for Mike Signer. I’ll hope to meet you at the next event!
Maude – I wish you had stopped me! Mike Signer is, from a distance, an interesting person. I haven’t met him yet and would love to hear how you came to volunteer for him. Feel free to shoot me an email using the contact link at the top.