Just arrived home from the JJ Weekend. I didn't attend last year, so my comparison of this year's event is to the huge 2008 Obama/Clinton speakers that fueled probably the most energetic dinner in recent memory. Last night's weather was soooo sweet--warmer than a first spring evening has any right to be. The food itself was so-so as usual--chicken again, but that's not the reason anyone attends. I was pleasantly surprised at the energy in the room, and although nothing can compare to the crowds and energy from two years ago, we Dems had a lot to cheer about when speaker after speaker announced their support for the President's marque health care reform legislation.
No boring speeches (yea!), but definitely some standouts led by our two Democratic senators who daily make me proud and relieved that they are our leaders on Capitol Hill. It's nice to have two intelligent men who are taking legislative leadership roles, working not just for the benefit of Virginia, but also to improve the lives of all Americans. In addition, several of our Virginia House of Representatives members addressed the group with powerful oratory. Fifth-district Rep.Tom Perriello was energetic, down-to-earth, and positive. Although he will be in a tough reelection campaign soon, he enthusiastically supported health care reform (HCR) and exhorted Dems not to let the Fox commentators and the tea-party participants shape the debate.
There is a lot of love and respect in this crowd for Tom Perriello, who BTW seemed empathetic with 9th District Rep. Rick Boucher when a small group of us after the dinner asked if he knew how Boucher intended to vote on HCR. Without divulging Boucher's leanings, he said that we needed to give him a pass because he had been there for us on so many other issues. Obviously that told us how he was voting, but our group didn't take that news well.
On a happier note, this was the first time I had heard Rep. Jerry Connolly (11th District) speak in person and was a little surprised at his passionate oratory; he told the assembly that he would be voting "yes" for HCR, and pointing his finger, he asked Democrats to remember to fight back bringing on a standing O from many in the crowd. After all this positive energy from our Virginia leaders, Amy Klobuchar, the Keynote Speaker, took the stage and was kind of perfect as a closing act. She was very funny, self-deprecating, indulged in a little kidding of her fellow senators and to the glee of the crowd, joked around about Sarah Palin. Her theme of "calling Republicans out" when they are wrong sent the crowd out with the realization that we have to have some spine if we are going to overcome the party of "NO" and get positive business accomplished.