What if the "ballot" to elect delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver was already predetermined? What if? What if? What if it were all true?
Ahead of the Virginia State Democratic Convention last weekend in Hampton where 2,000 "announced" delegates met to, among other things, vote on delegates to go to Denver, the
Obama campaign and the Governor's office "pre-selected" delegates for Denver.
The state "slate" as determined by Governor Tim Kaine and the Obama campaign was promoted in e-mails to some Obama Convention delegates beforehand, and "promoted" to all the convention delegates in two promotional pieces distributed just moments before the "vote" on Denver delegates was taken on the floor.
A "vote"? Votes were scattered among the 148 convention delegates who signed up to run and compete for one of the 12 coveted seats for Denver, thereby assuring election of those on the Governor and Obama's "slate" who really had no competition. Those not on the "slate" stood no chance. We were unhappy. We campaigned on a "I'm not on the slate" platform.
Many had spent money and time creating flyers, making posters, parading on the floor. All for naught.
A gentleman sat next to me during "musical chairs" (we switched chairs often throughout the day), and we introduced ourselves. I told him I was running for national delegate, and he said the same. "Wow," I said, "your name is familiar. I'm not running on the slate." He said: "Well, I am, and that's why my name is familiar. I am a member of the Virginia General Assembly." Oh, my. "I am not quite sure why the Governor chose me," Mark Sickles said, "and I am voting for the slate." Thank you, Mark Sickles.
The "vote" was conducted just like it was at the congressional convention I attended a few weeks before in Alexandria where the state "slate" was announced and promoted ahead of time, and where one delegate told me the Governor's office called and asked him to withdraw his Denver candidacy, and he obliged. Rather like an election in Zimbabwe.
Leaving (most of) the negative behind... (Jimmy Carter, where are you?)
If Mark Warner wins
John Warner's U.S. Senate seat in November, it will be the first time in 39 years that Democrats have held both Senate seats, so said Gov. Tim Kaine who noted that Democrats will field candidates in all eleven congressional districts for the first time in ? how many years? No one seems to know.
"No Child Left Behind" was booed as was John McCain's name every time it was mentioned from the stage.
It was fun standing around talking politics, politics, politics all the livelong day.
Awards:
Most Outstanding Performance:
The young man who sang the national anthem a cappella. Hire him! The crowd was spellbound; tears were shed. He was magnificent and could not have been older than 12.
Most Significant No-Show: Congressman Jim Moran
Most Significant Omission: No mention of Flag Day
Biggest Ego: Jim Webb who delivered his (standard?) "I" speech: "I" this, "I" that, "I" everything, blah blah blah. He still doesn't know the three most important words in English are "you," "you" and "you."
Best Campaign Speech: Mark Warner. We were so happy to learn he'll keep his Senate, and not the Veep, candidacy running. Of the candidates who spoke, his speech was the only one which silenced the crowd and brought delegates to a standstill.
Biggest Presence: Mark Warner (signs and staff)
Loudest District: The 11th (portions of Fairfax and Prince William counties)
Unhappiest Delegation: Hillary Delegates who wore their candidate literally on their sleeves. Signs to the right of them, signs to the left of them, signs, signs, signs everywhere atop their person. "Grrrrrrrr..." said most of them. Not all "older" females.
Unhappiest Spouse: Larry Byrne
Cleverest Campaign Slogan: "I tell everyone the three most important things in any campaign all start with a "V": Vote, Volunteer, and Vite a check" (Gerry Connolly, Demo congressional candidate, 11th District)
Most Praise Delivered from the Podium for Hillary Clinton: Tim Kaine
Most Crowd Interruptions of "Yes, We Can!" During a Speech: Tim Kaine
Most Number of Handlettered Signs: Creigh Deeds (running for governor)
Best Party Host: Creigh Deeds
Best Dressed: Mark Warner (his peach tie and blue shirt complemented the Democratic logo on stage)
Best Accent: Brian Moran (running for governor)
Best Button: An upside-down "W" (= "M") on a Navy blue background with "McSame" under the "M"
VP Polling:
All sorts of names were offered during informal polling: Smith of Washington State (who?), Cong. Robert Wexler of Florida (yes, yes!), Mark Udall, Wesley Clark, Joe Biden (gaining steam), Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Bill Richardson (rumored to have some issues). No one, no one, de nada said Hillary's name but it who was mentioned from time to time as a Supreme Court nominee (good idea!).
Before Mark Warner trounced speculation that he would join the Obama ticket as the VP nominee, someone said talk was circulating that Don Beyer (no-show) would become the Senatorial candidate if Warner took to national roads. All convention delegates who were polled frowned upon either Webb or Gov. Kaine becoming the VP nominee since Virginia stands the chance to lose a seat in the Senate, and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, "arch conservative" that he is as described by several, would take over the governor's seat.
On a musical note, I have asked Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs to step in and sing a few notes for Gov. Kaine:
Oh won't you stay, just a little bit longer
Please let me hear
You say you will, say you will
At the Latino reception where empty platters greeted delegates who got no food or drink because they stayed in the "big hall" to cast "votes," Gov. Kaine spoke Spanish and could not hide a longlasting broad grin when a portion of the crowd began to roar: "VP, VP, VP"!
Most Popular:
At least, silent auction items:
Prices shown are those posted at different times:
RFK Photo: $450, $480 (20 minutes later)
Three Clinton (BC and HRC) photographs in one frame: $225, no change after 20 minutes, $350 (75 minutes later)
Obama Photo: $300 (no change during time observed)
JFK Photos: $250 (no change)
MLK Photo: $120, $150 (20 minutes later)
Hillary Photo: $150, $170 (20 minutes later)
Why host a convention after all? An attendee at the 2004 convention said as far as she knew, no slate was pitched then. Why now?
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