Democratic Rally in Fairfax

This morning I attended the joint campaign's rally for Northern Virginia at Robinson High School.  The auditorium we had the rally in seats about 450, and judging from the seats filled I would estimate the crowd at about 400.

Jim Webb spoke last.  Wow, has he improved over the last few months with stump speeches!  He was articulate, funny and relaxed.  The funniest part of his speech was when he was going after Allen's weak history and said:  "I fought in Vietnam, and George Allen did not.  Heck, even the French fought in Vietnam."

Andy Hurst and Judy Feder gave energetic performances.  Judy was wearing a nice, Congressional looking jacket, while Andy went with an open collar shirt and jacket tucked into jeans.  (UPDATE:  That sentence didn't come out right.  His shirt was tucked into his jeans, not his jacket).

Jim Moran gave a great talk, but a little controversy erupted afterwords. 
Leslie Byrne had been scheduled to speak after Moran and introduce Jim Webb- but when Moran finished talking he introduced Webb and handed him the microphone and cut Leslie out of the program.  The speakers, and the order they were going in was well publicized before the program and a lot of people viewed it as an intentional slight to Leslie. I don't know for sure, but I did hear a lot about it after the program was over from people upset that Leslie didn't get to speak then.  One person speculated to me that it they thought it was intentional- since Leslie is being mentioned as a possible primary challenge to Brian Moran for Governor.  It definitely added some tension and excitement.

Afterwords I got a chance to chat with a number of activists.  Both potential candidates against Ken Cuccinelli were there, Luann McNabb and Morris Meyer.  Luann has a very trendy new haircut, and was basking in the compliments from that.  Luann has gained some traction in her weakest area on the east end of the district after Meyer filed paperwork that included the name of one Democratic operative who was involved in a disgusting, brutal campaign here against Cathy Belter a few years ago.

Good event overall, and it seems like the Democrats are organized and energized under Larry's leadership this year.

UPDATE:  The Hurst campaign has his speech up on YouTube.  I hope the other campaigns did this as well.

UPDATE #2-  Via RK, I see Judy Feder has her speech up.

UPDATE #3-  Jim Webb's remarks are up here (part 1) and here (part 2).

UPDATE #4-  Turns out all of these videos were from Raising Kaine.  Great job guys.

Comments

Its obvious even her fellow liberals don't want to hear Leslie speak. Who can blame 'em?

[Ghost of Henry Howell]

Round 1 in Moran vs. Byrne.

[Josh Chernila]

Ben, good to see you there. Sorry I didn't have time to chat with you. I noticed the change in agenda and thought Larry planned it, since he was pretty much running the speakers today.

I was surprised at how many new faces we had in the audience. Lots of new signups, our Volunteer Database now boasts over 15,000 active workers and we're getting more every day.

I'll post a thank you, elsewhere, but thanks to everyone who came out today. With hard work, we'll have a lot to celebrate in November.

What auditorium were you in with 450 seats?

[NoToMcNabb]

nuff said.

[Not Josh Chernilla]

You cannot blame Jim Moran. He'd been drinking and he misread the program. Jim and Leslie have similar hair color and for all ol'bleary eyes knew he was giving the mic to Leslie!

On another note...if Ben continues to kiss Byrne ass at this rate I suggest we all invest in Chapstick stock!

[I Trust Webb]

I'm stuck at the house, too bad I missed the event. I'm glad for the good crowd. I’m also really glad that Webb is getting better at speaking. The MTP and FCCC debates are right around the corner!

What happened to Gerry Connolly? I thought he was supposed to speak? I ask because I am more concerned than asking for gossip. I heard he had surgery earlier this week.

Andy Hurst tucked his jacket into his jeans?? That makes him a "worse dresser" than even Tom Davis, and that's hard to do.

I'm sure you've just got your modifiers in the wrong place, but the image was funny nonetheless.

[Darth Vader Switched Sides]

Wow: "I fought in Vietnam, and George Allen did not. Heck, even the French fought in Vietnam." This is the first time in modern Virginia political history that someone has been attacked for not serving in the military. This line of attack is beneath Jim Webb. I am utterly surprised. Does this mean that Jim Webb should start attacking the the anti-war democrats like Rep. Moran; Rep. Scott; Rep. Boucher? Really, since they did not serve in the military, when is the idiot Webb going to start going after them? Heck, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine did not even serve, Mark Warner played touchey feely with cell phones and Tim Kaine played make every body a victim through the legal system. YET, Webb has Warner and Kaine filling in for him this weekend at the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade? Does Webb think that Warner and Kaine are cowards also? No way, because its OK for them to be cowardly red diaper doper babies so long as they feed his campaign with cash. Webb has sold out to the leftist wing of the Democrat party and it only took less than two months....

Just what is Webb's proposal to fight the war on terrorisim? Subcontract it to the UN like Bill Clinton (another who did not serve in the military). Heck Chuck Schumer did not serve in the military, yet Jim Webb is going to be taking campaign contributions from him and the DSCC? Does Webb think Schumer is a wussy? What a line of complete pure shit. Webb has failed to annunciate or articulate on thus far. I mean really, this is not political, but what is HIS plan? Interesting thing is this: how can Jim Webb support the troops but not the war? Just what does Jim Webb tell his kid this weekend as he ships off to Iraq? I love you son, but your un-American for fighting in Iraq? Get real Webb

[Dannyboy]

You're stretching, Vader.

[Darth Vader Switched Sides]

Danny:

Really?

Gov. Tim Kaine=no military service and a webb supporter;

Mark Warner=no military service and a Webb supporter; no foreign policy experience yet wants to be Pres?

Bobby Scott= no military service, Webb Supporter.

Leslie Byrne=nice lady, but no military service and a Webb supporter;

Donald McEachin=no military service and a Webb supporter;

Rep. Moran= no military service and a Webb supporter;

Sen. Schumer= no military service and a Webb Supporter;

DNC Chair Howard Dean=no military service and a Webb Supporter;

DPVA Chair Dick Cranwell=no military service and a Webb supporter;

Sen. Barbara Boxer=no military service and a Webb supporter;

When is Webb going to start attacking these folks? I'm stretching Danny Boy?

Jim Webb is turning into Cindy Sheehan minus the high heels. Whether he wears panties and lipstick at this point is debateable.

NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE SUPPORT SENDING KIDS TO WAR.

IF ANYONE WEARS PANTIES IT IS GEORGE ALLEN WHO DID NOT SERVE HIS COUNTRY BUT NOW SMIRKS WHILE HE TALKS ABOUT THE WAR WHERE AMERICANS ARE D-Y-I-N-G.

[darth vader switched sides]

Either you support fighting the terrorists in Iraq or we'll be fighting them in the streets of Annandale and Arlington. If Webb does not support the fighting the war and terrorists, then he does not support the troops. Webb might as well say that he loves the Dallas Cowboys but hates football. Jim Webb quit on Ronald Regan. Jim Webb quit once already on the Senate race--first considered it, then forgot about it, then reconsidered it. He was for the race before he was against it. Jim Webb has now quit supporting the troops because he does not support the war. Period.

[Luke Skywalker Kicks Darth's Ass]

Darth: You are NOT my father, and you certainly never sent your son off to war. In contrast, Jim Webb and HIS son, Jimmy, are true American heroes. For you to denigrate them in any way is despicable. You sure you aren't Chris Lacivita?

Also, NONE of the Democrats you mention ever lied to take the country to war in Iraq. George Allen is the worst of the worst - a CHICKENHAWK, just like his CHIKENWHAWK pal Bush. And you are nothing better than a Swiftboating scumbag, "Darth."

I expect the military to protect us from terrorists at any cost. While no body wants to die, do you think freedom is not without cost?

DVSS doesn't sound like LaCivita, unless LaCivita been hanging out with CCC members (Council of Conservative Citizens--formerly WCC and before that KKK).

Perhaps Allen gave LaCivita an introduction to his favorite white supremacist group.

"Do you think freedom is not without cost?"

You should be asking George Allen that question. During a time when a lot of families are getting squeezed he's seen a two fold increase in his personal wealth. And regardless of how things turn out in Iraq or Afghanistan none of his children or grandchildren will ever have to worry about being put in harms way.

If the S--t really hits the fan I'm sure he'll simply cash out his millions, and move back to France.

[darth vader switched sides]

Dear anon 4:42pm:

Kind sir, that is a fair question. However, if I agree to ask Sen. Allen that question, could you ask the below supporters of Jim Webb why they chose not to serve in the military? Further, would you ask Jim Webb what he thinks of their support of his candidacy since they did not serve in the military? Is this not fair?

Mark Warner=no military service and a Webb supporter; no foreign policy experience yet wants to be Pres?

Bobby Scott= no military service, Webb Supporter.

Leslie Byrne=nice lady, but no military service and a Webb supporter;

Donald McEachin=no military service and a Webb supporter;

Rep. Moran= no military service and a Webb supporter;

Sen. Schumer= no military service and a Webb Supporter;

DNC Chair Howard Dean=no military service and a Webb Supporter;

DPVA Chair Dick Cranwell=no military service and a Webb supporter;

Sen. Barbara Boxer=no military service and a Webb supporter;

When is Webb going to start attacking these folks?

[LAS]

Mr. 2:52 p.m., we were at Robinson High School.

I don't think Mr Darth Vader can be for real--he's so deliciously over the top--so I won't take the bait offered in the extremely out-of-line comments about Webb's marine son who ships out to Iraq soon. An event, by the way, which Webb did not even mention today.

Still, I think it may help everyone here if we explain the context of Jim Webb's "even the French fought in Vietnam."

Jim Webb testified before the FIRST Gulf War that marching into Baghdad would cause many problems, including the increase of power to Iran and Syria (Whaddayaknow? Turns out he was right!) George Allen, in turn, used this testimony to attack Webb, saying, "EVEN the FRENCH fought in the First Gulf War" or some such nonsense.

So Jimmy told his dad, "You fought in Vietnam. George Allen didn't. Heck, even the FRENCH fought in Vietnam."

Yeah, it was funny. Kind of sad, though, when you start wondering why Allen is so ashamed of his own ethnic background. Such a comparison to Webb, of course, who is so wonderfully proud of his own Scots-Irish roots. The French are a very accomplished people, who have made many important contributions to civilization. Why is Allen full of such loathing for his own people? Very sad. He must suffer terribly from low self-esteem.

[N.A.S.]

First of all Ben, where were you? Fashionably late? I was there the entire time and I didn't see you in your usual button down tucked into navy blue sweat pants and black slip on shoes. You are no one to comment on someone else's attire. And I do believe Andy was wearing jeans, a white button down, and a sports coat. He called them his "canvassing clothes" something you probably have not worn this election. And when you quote someone you should use the whole quote. Your quote of Jim Webb was actually his son's comment in response to something George Allen said. So check your note pad and get it correct. I'm sick and tired of your "99.7% accurate" When you are really 99.7% ass hole to everyone who actually does something. You attack Sharon Stark and she has volunteered more hours and donated more money that you ever have. Ben, you need to get out of your high horse and do something productive - like getting someone elected. No one will care if you predicted someone to win or not, but when I get my invitation to Judy, Jim, and Andy's party on Nov 7th, I don’t want to see you there.

Raising Kaine's Picture of Andy. They have a handful of pictures of Andy there. Please explain your lie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91698272@N00/232032071/in/set-72157594265347288/

[Not Andy Hurst]

I don't see how Ben lied...

The coat tucked into jeans was simply a modifier in the wrong place.

Ben also knocked on my door in the primary. He went helped flood victims. He puts out better info any day of the week than the echo chamber that is better known as RK.

Moreover, Ben is not obligated to be on any person's team. If he chooses to critique an or all of the candidates thats his choice.

This crap of folks being obligated to be supportive is just plain bull shit!!!

[Not Andy Hurst]

Oh...here is alink to BEN so he couldnt have been too late to have gotten down front...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91698272@N00/232037011/in/set-72157594265347288/

Wow N.A.S. You are quite the stressed out little ass hole. If his post gets under your skin this much, you have serious f#*ing problems! Btw/ I saw Hurst placing up his own signs today on the side of the road....some staff!

[N.A.S]

I have to say you are quite wrong…

“while Andy went with an open collar shirt and jacket tucked into jeans” – lie, not a “modifier in the wrong place”

Who did he knock on a door for? Did he knock on your door and ask you to support Ben? If he was so involved in the primary why is he not involved in the general?

I encourage everyone to go and volunteer helping displaced families and underprivileged children. I’ve spent a couple weeks this summer doing similar work. When and where was he helping flood victims? When I get some free time maybe I’ll go with him next time.

“better info” or better lies

No, he is not obligated to support someone or anyone. If he chooses to critique, that’s fine, just get his facts straight and his quotes correct. This entire post of his is as full of holes as your support of him is.

And this so called blog is really just a bunch of bull shit!!!! He can’t even get a real URL. Someone much smarter bought www.notlarrysabato.com and Ben doesn’t have the money to buy it or the know how to run it. If you like it I suggest you help Ben buy it and show him how to set it up.

[N.A.S.]

Notice that picture is from after the event was over?