Virginia Democrats party like it’s 2009
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ARLINGTON -- Virginia Democrats are so excited about tomorrow's inauguration of Barack Obama -- and turning Virginia blue for the first time in 44 years -- that they're celebrating a day early.
The state party's brightest stars, big-money donors and rank and file loyalists are holding a black-tie soiree tonight in Northern Virginia to trumpet their success and to raise funds for this fall's pivotal state election battles.
At $200 to $10,000 a ticket, organizers of the Virginia Inaugural Ball at the Westin Arlington Gateway had no trouble selling out its 1,200 spaces.
Headliners are to include Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, and Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner.
Kaine, tapped by Obama to take over the Democratic National Committee starting Wednesday, was expected to arrive late, having earlier served as emcee for The Bipartisan Ball at Union Station, attended by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware.
At the Westin, men in tuxedoes and women in sequined and strapless gowns are enjoying brie with almonds and pears, prime rib, assorted cheeses and, of course, free-flowing libations. The cash bar is charging prices worthy of a stadium, ranging from $7 for a beer to $10 for top-shelf spirits.
Revelers, tightly packed in the hotel's second-floor ballroom are listening to a cover band belt out fitting tunes, such as "New Sensation" by INXS.
"This is a celebration for all of the hard work that we did and the great accomplishment of carrying Virginia for the first time since 1964," said Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd.
Scott said he knows that changing the nation and extricating it from economic turmoil means that the revelry can't last forever.
"We have a lot of work to do and it all starts on Wednesday morning," he said.
Among those in the crowd early on were state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, one of three Democratic contenders for governor; House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry; and state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple of Arlington.
Volunteers handed out blue and white buttons with a map of Virginia and the slogan: "Yes We Did 2009."
Virginia Democrats have good reason to party tonight. With Mark Warner's victory Nov. 4 following the retirement of Republican stalwart John W. Warner, the party now controls both U.S. Senate seats for the first time since 1970.
Democrats also won three additional congressional seats to gain a 6-5 majority in the state's House delegation.
As DNC chairman, Kaine, who in 2006 succeeded Mark Warner as Virginia's governor, has at his disposal the resources of the national party apparatus. Virginia Democrats hope that will help keep the state's Executive Mansion blue in November.
Virginia and New Jersey are the only two states holding gubernatorial elections this fall.
All 100 seats in Virginia's House of Delegates also will be on the ballot in November. Democrats are six seats shy of gaining control.
Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .
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Reader Reactions
It is my hope for America that Obama’s moral emptiness will be exposed through his actions for all to see. The writing was on the wall. The Dems are partying now, but they had better not get comfortable. In 6 months you won’t be able to find a person who voted for Obama. And perhaps we can take our state and country back at some point with real leadership and integrity, from whichever side can deliver it.
Dave, sadly, bankers seem to have forgotten the principles of banking, opting instead for the “big deal” and credit swaps instead of performing due diligence and deciding who is credit-worthy . It used to be they relied on their customers’ character, credit-worthiness, ability to pay, and a few other things when making loans. Someone decided the ability to pay wasn’t necessary if you got the government to endorse things - and now we print more money and spend it like there is no tomorrow and nobody will have to repay it. I hate to say it, but George Bush started this with the first bail-out…..now, there is no end, and the rest of the world is watching to see if the U.S. government is a good credit risk. I don’t think so, given the irresponsibility demonstrated by both parties when given their separate times in power. Neither believes in restraint, budgets, responsibility or sound general economic practices… how can the world believe in us when we are the worst offenders? Doom and gloom? Sorta. We can’t have a “Revolutionary war” again, because, as Pogo said, “I have seen the enemy, and we is it!“
bigbus: Speaking of funding—what’s going to happen when the government can no longer rely on loan from overseas to pay for the Big Bailout? Read the article on the failure of the Bank of Scotland and the panic in Europe. We might as well as all live it up today, because tomorrow is .........
Now boys, don’t bicker. Let the Dimcrats have their day of celebration. Maybe while they do so, Americans will ponder who really caused this economic meltdown. Was it George Bush, who pretty much did nothing on the economy, or Barney Frank and Co. who insisted we loan money to people who couldn’t pay it back….destroying the mortgage, real estate and general banking businesses (not to mention the SBA, since the banks that funded most of the SBA’s loans are either out of business—-lending money to people you know won’t repay while thinking the government will take care of you does that to you—-or won’t lend money through SBA anymore because the government welches on the guarantees).
Look at the $176 million Obama and company are spending as “priming the pump”. Lord knows Washington D.C. needs the business. And, besides, didn’t Obama raise $675 million for his campaign by sidestepping the agreement? I’m sure all the funds he had left over are going into this celebration, RIGHT!!??!!. Funny, but I doubt we will ever see an accounting of those funds raised and spent….by either party…or Nancy, Barney and Co. either.
12steprevenge: You choose to succumb to simplistic characterizations. Stick around long enough and Machiavelli’s prescience might dawn on you. Politicians aspire to APPEAR to be something they aren’t. Their real goal is their own power and privilege. Bringing it forward - that applies to both parties today.
vamike: I’m a school teacher. One, we don’t need any more—enrollments are declining. Two, the added ‘education’ spending is not going to teachers, but to administrators and clerical staff that DO NOT teach. (Wonder which side their bread is buttered on?) Three, who said I was singling out Democrats? It is an obscenity to see the hundreds of millions of dollars (Billions?) squandered by BOTH parties. Four, I would think the Demcrats would ‘get it’, and show some restraint. If you want to defend that help yourself.
vamike… the two Bush inaugurations together cost $71 million. The Obama’s inauguration is costing more than twice that! How many school teachers could be hired with The Obama’s inauguration costs?
Oh, and answer me this… if our economy is so in the tank that we’re close to another Depression, why is The Obama spending $150 million on this? You’d think a little humility would be in order, not wanting to spend like drunken sailors when the rest of America is suffering?
Here’s an idea people could support from Democrats—try acting like you’ve been there before instead of acting like drunken sailors on a hooker spree.
Yeah, isn’t it funny how we have the same guys showing up every day saying the same things and patting each other on the back for it?
Let me sum it up:
Democrats/“liberals” = BAD
“Conservatives” = GOOD
Repeat, ad nauseum.
Hey Dave, You and Woodford are hilarious! Where were your comments about how many school teachers could be hired with the money spent on the two sets of Bush inauguration bashes. Come up with ideas that will solve our problems that people will support.
There is a disconnect between the party that wants to present itself as the friend of the ‘little guy’ and the costs quoted for attending this as well as the prices at the bar. People are hurting and it might do well for our political leadership to acknowledge this by some acts of humility instead of rubbing our noses in it while they ‘party hardy’.
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