Apparently, the Democratic Party of Virginia is in the tank for Hillary

[hootinholler]

From Bloomberg:

Though there were reports of free tickets being distributed, Virginia Democrats said they raised more than $1 million with Friday's event. The food for most attendees came from arena concession stands selling fried specialties and $10 beers. Almost everyone who took the stage before Clinton – including Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Representatives Gerry Connolly and Bobby Scott – endorsed her presidential bid, even as the primary heats up. Mentions of Clinton, let alone the appearance on stage of the candidate, drew roaring cheers from dedicated Virginia partisans.

Just before the event, which was more rally than dinner party, Clinton was witness to a more solemn moment, for the funeral of state senator and pastor Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in last week's mass shooting at his church in Charleston, S.C.

From The Virginian Pilot:

Clinton was billed as the special guest at the event, making it her first campaign appearance in what will be a swing state in next year's presidential election. Longtime friend McAuliffe is leading the task of helping Clinton win Virginia should she win the nomination, and they walked on stage together for his introduction to a standing crowd.

"Good evening, Virginia Democrats!" McAuliffe said. "And guess where Hillary Clinton decided to do her first JJ dinner in the country? The commonwealth of Virginia!"

He said Democrats shouldn't shy away from "progressive values" such as abortion rights, gun control and protection of the rights of gays and lesbians.

Earlier, with the crowd cheering speakers onstage, Democratic officials took turns greeting the former first lady and getting photos with her.

Clinton is considered the front-runner for the nomination, but three others so far are also running for the Democratic spot: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lincoln Chafee, a former governor of Rhode Island who served in the U.S. Senate as a Republican and voted against the Iraq War.

From MSNBC:

Rep. Gerry Connolly obliquely mentioned the other Democrats running for the nomination before waving them off. “Nobody has a stronger resume to be president of the United States than Hillary Rodham Clinton,” said Connolly, who welcomed everyone to “Clinton territory.”

Nearly every speaker said it was time to put a woman in the White House.

Former Sen. Jim Webb, who is considering a run and lives in nearby Arlington, was not mentioned. Neither was former Gov. Martin O’Malley, who hails from just across the river in Maryland.

Similar at the WaPO.

So 2000 in a venue that holds 10,000, no wonder there are no crowd photos.

[PATRICK]

1. O'Malley's problem

is in his own neighborhood of experience. Tactically he is not just behind in national recognition but hard pressed in current Clinton territory. Sanders has better numbers and possibility in his own region. At this time. Of course you can expect the whole organization to rally around Clinton for various reasons that trump(as of now) any electability concerns. Those latter concerns also will translate into rallying hard against even the most tidal progressive movement beyond the point of logic.

Since Dem primaries are actually more Democratic this is not as critical as with the ham sandwich strung GOP.

[elleng]

5. What does this mean,

O'Malley's problem "is in his own neighborhood of experience?'

[Cheese Sandwich]

41. O'Malley's problem is he turned Baltimore into a hellscape of destroyed neighborhoods where

abusive murderous cops prey on black communities that are so disempowered in society that we saw days of rioting.

The whole world was watching. The murder of Freddie Grey and government policies that destroyed urban Baltimore should embarrass this nation.

Martin O'Malley brought shame to America. He's an embarrassment.

[peacebird]

2. They sent me at least one email a day reminding me they still had tickets available, & didn't

I know Hillary would be there.

Glad they got a crappy turnout.

[MADem]

11. They didn't get a crappy turnout. They raised a million bucks, and the venue was filled.

A capacity of 10000 is for people sitting in the stands--not for people sitting at tables on the floor.

These people were sitting at tables. It was the "Jefferson - Jackson DINNER."

The money was raised for the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, not for Clinton's campaign.

Funny how people are so eager to miss the point.

How nice that Clinton bothers to support her party and raises funds for state candidates, too. Would that others would step up....

[peacebird]

28. They asked me every day to buy a ticket, last email from them was thursday when event was friday

That says they wanted more people and had more tickets to sell. Spin however you want. They got 2k people in a venue that holds 5 times that. And they wer still trying to sell tix the day before.

[Cha]

42. they don't care about that.. they just want Hillary to look bad.. they're not pulling it off.

It only makes them sound desperate when they can't deal with reality.

but, thanks for trying to explain it, anyway, MADem.

[MADem]

45. They don't understand the purpose of the event.

It wasn't a come one, come all rally.

It was a "Bring Your Checkbook" party ... and if the check is big enough, you can get yer picture taken type of event.

I think it's telling how many people choose to not understand. It's obvious what was going on at the event, and why it was being held.

We don't win if we don't raise more money than the GOP. This has to happen at both the state and the national levels. I'm glad SoS Clinton isn't too busy or proud to help out the local/state party organizations and the up-and-coming politicians.

We don't win back the Congress by whining on the internet!

[4139]

3. Very surprised by the low numbers...

I live near there, drove by there last night coming home from work and was shocked that there were not police there controlling the traffic lights at the entrances on Braddock rd like they do for every event at the patriot center. I found the very odd till I read the 2000 number

[Fearless]

4. The writing on the wall... n/t

[Bernie 2016]

6. I heard that the VA Dems had to literally give away the tickets for free

to get people to show up.

Pathetic. This is how little enthusiasm there is for Ms. Clinton, when there are tons for Bernie. The "Real Democrats" (in other words, Third Wayers) are really doing an admirable job of getting people bussed in for the venue to prop up Ms. Clinton from DC. While the real Democrats (in other words, progressives) are crowding in Bernie's venues on their own, exceeding the capacity EVERY single time.

There's quite a remarkable difference between these two.

[MADem]

12. Ummmmmm.....the fundraiser was not "for" Hillary Clinton.

Starting to smell a little stank up in here.

Surprised that "Democrats" would come to a thread so ill-informed.

[Bernie 2016]

13. It turned into a rally for Ms. Clinton

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251415609

[MADem]

17. Only because she bothered to show up. Had other candidates taken the time to show up and

give a speech in order to help the VA Democratic Party raise money for "their" (not her) purposes, there would have been enthusiasm for them, too, I'm sure. It's not hard to get on the dais at these gigs, especially if you can bring an entourage who will throw a few bucks in the pot for the cause.

But I guess some Democrats are more motivated, for whatever reasons, to support the VA Democratic Party. Others couldn't find the time....

When a politician supports a state party machine, they generally get some love in return. That's how it works. You've got to give a little to get a little.

But I can see that it's easy for some to completely miss the actual purpose and point of the dinner, particularly if preferences or hopes are clouding their view.

[hootinholler]

19. " Others couldn't find the time...."

Exactly how do you know this? Do you know other candidates were asked?

I see no basis for this assertion.

[okasha]

20. We know they couldn't find the time

because they weren't there.

Sanders didn't need an invitation. All he needed to do was tell the VDP he'd like to speak and raise some money for them.

Obviously, he didn't do that.

[MADem]

23. They weren't there, that's how I know.

Lots of other candidates and public officials were there. O'Malley had an excuse, a scheduling conflict--he was the featured speaker at the Truman National Security Annual Conference. Also, no one can fault him one bit--he has raised a TON of money for Democratic Parties at the state level, to say nothing of the DNC.

But if a candidate who wants to run under the Democratic Party umbrella is not out there, raising money to help other Democrats come up through the party, then that candidate shouldn't be surprised if the party doesn't jump through its own butthole to support that candidate.

Gotta give a little to get a little.

[peacebird]

29. Ok, that was a silly post. She was asked because our Gov is a longtime friend of the Clintons

She was announced as THE draw for JJ day as soon as the tickets went on sale.

Please stop tying to spin this as Bernie or O'Malley or Webb should have shoewn up to support the Virginia Dems. clearly our Gov had his star, and was hoping to help her burnish hers.

Did not work as well as either hoped.

[MADem]

32. She was the keynote speaker--others could have come, and used their "drawing power"

to raise money for someone other than themselves, too.

Why do you think they raised a MILLION bucks in three hours? Because some unknown was giving a pep talk?

The "silly post" is the one that doesn't realize what the purpose of the JJ dinner was.

I didn't say O'Malley "should have" shown up. In fact, if anyone has an excuse, it's him.

First, he has raised a FORTUNE for statewide Democratic Parties across the nation. Second, he's also raised a ton of money for the DNC. Third, he had a prior engagement at the Truman National Security Conference, where he was keynoting.

But hey, overlook the points, it doesn't matter. Diss someone who wasn't even raising money for her own campaign, just ... because... grrr...Hillary, or whatever.

[peacebird]

35. Enough. Silly. Hillary was keynote. They should have sold out on that alone if she was so popular

They did not. They were still sending emails offering tix for sale the day before. Hillary clearly ain't the draw they expected, and with our Gov & Senators in the bag for Hillary why would another candidate show up?

[MADem]

37. They raised more money than they ever have at one of these shindigs.

You apparently have a weird metric for "success."

It wasn't a "rally" for "the people."

It was a "Let's make some money FUNDRAISER." The attendees were DONORS. Insiders. People who put money on the table. Some of them brought the BIG checkbooks, obviously.

I don't think a million bucks in three hours is "silly." I think it's damn good.

[peacebird]

39. Tix were as low as $30 a pop and they did NOT sell out.

[MADem]

50. They didn't have to--they had 2K tickets available, and they got a few deep pockets in there.

It's not uncommon to give a few tickets away to staffers and volunteers as rewards.

They pulled in more money than they ever have.

By any metric, this was a success.

No one in that hall needed "convincing" to vote for the Democratic nominee come election day. They were already convinced.

This wasn't a "Hey voters, come and hear the speaker(s) so we can sell you on the rightness of our ideas!!"

This was a "Hey, committed, interested, dedicated active DEMOCRATIC party donors--come and hear the speaker(s) give you the talking points so you can help to let the word go forth, and bring your pocketbooks and wallets with you--we are asking for your HELP!"

[Ken Burch]

46. Like they would even have let Bernie in.

And if his supporters had showed up, the VDP would have found some pretext to keep them out.

[MADem]

56. What a foolish comment! Keep him out? Are you in the habit of flushing money down the toilet?

If he wanted to speak, and wanted to bring a crowd to donate money to the VaDP, they would have welcomed him with open arms. He wouldn't have been the keynoter--he doesn't have much history as a Democrat, raising money to help other Democrats, so he'd have to take lower billing--but that crowd would have been happy to see him bringing in all his supporters with their checkbooks, ready and willing to start helping young and incumbent local politicians fill the VaDP war chest.

You don't seem to understand.

It was a FUNDRAISER. Not a "rally." A FUNDRAISER. For the VIRGINIA Democratic Party--not for Hillary Clinton. She was there to help THEM raise money for their candidates.

[Cha]

43. and, look how many are buying into it.. "writing on the wall", etc...

I'm not surprised.

[MADem]

44. I guess some people don't like the idea of Democrats raising money for other Democrats.

That's their problem!!

[leveymg]

7. The VA party leadership has long been lined up behind Clinton. The base not so much.

This does not bode well for GOTV next year.

[Maedhros]

8. Of course they are.

Bernie threatens their place at the feeding trough, Hillary guarantees it.

[stillwaiting]

9. TPP Warner and TPP Kaine support Clinton. Shocking! nt

[MADem]

10. "So 2000 in a venue that holds 10,000, no wonder there are no crowd photos."

You're plainly unaware of the OCCASION....?

Did you think they stuffed everyone in the stands, and handed them a box lunch? It was a fund raiser, not a rally. Fundraisers are not considered all that "newsworthy" by media, and coverage with a lot of pictures is considered to be close to "endorsement," which is why the media avoids that kind of thing.




It was the Jefferson - Jackson DINNER--you know, with people sitting at tables and chairs? The capacity of the venue is determined by the function. The "stands" weren't being used. You either paid the cheap price, and bought the food at the concessions and brought it to your table, or bought the better ticket, and got your food for free.

Here's a pic of Jim Moran at last year's event--see how the people are seated?

http://www.arlnow.com/2014/08/29/looking-forward-the-future-for-moran-and-the-8th-district/

There are things to complain about, but that's a pretty lame one. Hillary Clinton, doing a fundraising stop for the Democratic Party of VIRGINIA, where her named helped to raise a million bucks for the PARTY....and you're finding fault with that?

Why wasn't Sanders out there, lending HIS name to fundraising for Democratic outreach in the state? Why wasn't HE contributing to the Democratic coffers? That money will be used to elect DEMOCRATS in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Sheesh. Talk about Missing. The. POINT!!!! And being sanctimonious about it, to boot!!

[FlatBaroque]

14. Thank you, Bernie, for not giving a thin dime to the DNC n/t

Hillary own personal party.

[MADem]

52. The fundraiser wasn't for the DNC.

Geez. This isn't complicated stuff. Lot's of misplaced outrage, though.

It was a state party fundraiser.

The money would go to help VA Democrats compete in elections.

[okasha]

15. Ah, facts.

Hillary is a Democrat.
Hillary raises money for other Democrats.

Bernie is...well, that remains a bit ambiguous, doesn't it?
Bernie raises money only for Bernie.

[MADem]

18. Plainly spoken and accurate.

A refreshing change from the conspiracy theory that suggests that a party is "in the pocket" of those who make the effort to show up and actually support the state candidates, and the state/local party infrastructure.

Facts are troublesome things in some quarters.

[cantbeserious]

55. Why Would Bernie Give Any Dime To The Extended DLC Third Way Machine In Virginia

eom

[MADem]

57. Now you're just playing a "DUH" game. The DLC has been defunct for years. Try to keep up.

If he got the nomination, he'd need their help to win the state--THAT's why he would be well advised to work with state party officials, in all fifty states.

And he wouldn't be giving a penny, never mind a dime of his own money--all he'd be doing, if he showed up at these things, is giving a nice little "fire 'em up" barn burner, and getting the people who supported him in the crowd to write a check to the state party. That's all.

That's how parties win elections. With MONEY. No one likes the hard truth, but without it, you lose.

[cantbeserious]

61. DLC Third Way Gone - Maybe In Name - But Not In Spirit And In Practice

eom

[MADem]

62. Ok. Now I know where you're coming from. nt

[hootinholler]

16. Ok, fair enough even if they did as you say

And I have yet to see any photographs of the event floor. I guess my google fu isn't up to it. The closest thing I found was her working a barricade, which was mobbed as they always are. Oh and BTW it wasn't difficult to find photos of the floor of past JJ diners.

It seems to me that the Virginia Democratic Party (not the Arlington Democratic Party in your link) changed both the venue and the format of their annual fund raiser from a $150 or more a plate black tie affair in Richmond to a $30 ticket business casual, according to the stories a campaign rally, which kind of implies no tables, but ok, I'll give you the tables and admit it was a brilliant piece of fundraising.

After all of the party big wigs talked to the gathering mentioning Bernie to mutter how crazy is that, and not mentioning any other announced candidate, our fundraising heroine arrived mounted on a unicorn* and whilst sparkles rained from its horn she slid down a rainbow fart to the dias.** She addressed the crowd, and filled the coffers of the VDP. Win-Win! Huzzah!

You'd have to ask the VDP why Bernie wasn't there. The same goes for Marty and Lincoln and what's his name who hasn't announced yet. My guess is no one but Hillary was asked.

Seriously, the VDP can use the cash, but for whom will they use it? More new democrats? Maybe they can spend it to lubricate the windmill of the third way wing. By all evidence the VDP decided to use their annual JJ fundraiser to throw a campaign rally for Hillary. It sort of smacks as an endorsement, eh? That the machine is out this early in the cycle speaks volumes about the nervousness of the third way.


*: Probably not but I like the imagery and since there appear to be no photos it all depends on the reality of unicorns.

**: I doubt that happened either, but when one anticipates being told you're making shit up, one might as well go big.

[MADem]

22. The VDP wants to make MONEY to use to elect Democrats. Listen to your logic!

She sucks and no one likes her, you insist, yet the fundraiser was a massive financial success. You haven't seen any pictures (who would be covering THAT, yesterday? The story was the Supreme Court?) so therefore, the turnout was suspect.

There were a few things going on in the DC area yesterday, to say nothing of Charleston. I'm betting photographers found other things that might be more likely to get in the paper than another political party rubber chicken dinner. I would not be surprised. I'd also not be surprised if you see pictures on the VADP website in the days and weeks ahead.

You also make the assumption (because it "seems" to you) that the Richmond venue was changed for means that imply that there was a turnout problem, yet you offer no proof of that. The reason it was moved, according to the VADP, was for MONETARY considerations--the money collected is always way, WAY bigger in NORVA. Why sit through a formal dining experience for half the money when one can get twice as much with "casual" food at a venue that is easier to fly in/out of? A million bucks for a quick three hour event is what's called "effective fundraising."

Then you snark about unicorns and offer up a pre-emptive pushback against a "making shit up" attack that no one has proffered, and it's all doused in sneering sarcasm.

The picture I offered was from LAST YEAR's JJ Dinner--it was offered simply to explain that these things are not "rallies," even if the people seated at their dinner tables are in a rallying mood.

Your negativity is noted.

[hootinholler]

24. First, the photo in your link

Is clearly labeled in the hover text as being from the "Arlington Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner" A different body from the Virginia Democratic Party.

Second the press covered the event, there was a republican gaggle prior to the event. IIRC from one of the articles I linked it said that happened right before the press had their equipment security checked prior to entry.

Third, I conceded your turnout point immediately. It's not really my original point.

Fourth, I conceded the fact it was a brilliant fundraising move as well.

I seriously doubt that the Hillary campaign reached out to the VDP and asked them if they could come help. Asserting that all Bernie had to do was to reach out is weak sauce at best.

I don't like Hillary? Yeah, that's factual. That's my opinion. Pretty well known around here.

Do I think the primary state party support in Va is tilted towards the pre-ordained candidate? Hell yes I do. Do I think they will work to elect progressives? Well, I'm not holding my breath on that.

[MADem]

25. There was a Republican 'gaggle' because "Rinse Penis" was counter-protesting the event.

Your pal Reince held his "press conference" right out in front of the venue where Clinton was speaking.

I don't understand why you are so angry because she took the time to support a state party fundraiser. That money wasn't for her, it was for the state machine. I can't understand why anyone would object to a well-known Democrat using her celebrity to raise money for lesser-known, underfunded Democrats who are being helped out at the State party level. It just seems astoundingly churlish to me.

Those who show up and help, will get help if they need it. It's how politics works. I'll bet the VaDP asked her first, and that's logical. Why? It's not like she isn't friendly with the leadership in that state, and it's not like she hasn't helped all of them before--and it's not like she ever hasn't been willing to take the time to support a) Democrats and b) Independents who caucus with Democrats....that's why she gave Bernie Sanders ten grand from her HILLPAC when he was trying to get into the Senate.

She's a TEAM PLAYER who understands the bigger picture. So of COURSE they would ask her to speak, and to keynote. Why? She shows up. She persuades people to contribute. Over and over again. She DELIVERS. If Sanders wanted to show up, and offer a speech to the party faithful about his vision (and presumably bring along a few donors to contribute to the STATE party) he would have been most welcome, as well. But he was apparently either uninterested, or had a scheduling conflict.

I am sure the VaDP didn't restrict the press, but all stories being equal, which story is a) More likely to be published, b) More likely to be picked up and syndicated? A ho-hum fundraiser, or the biggest Supreme Court decision of the century, thus far, or a game changing funeral that brought the Stars and Bars down, and moved the POTUS to song?

The negativity, again, makes no damn sense...but it is noted...!

[hootinholler]

30. You accuse me of being pals with rinse penis?

Who is calling names here? Who is making things up? I am owed an apology.

My complaint is that the VDP is a wholly owned subsidiary of the third way. Based not only on this but also actions in prior election cycles. They didn't even acknowledge the field in this primary. This event was such a big deal but they don't have photos on their website?

They won't be helping anyone with even the hint of being an actual progressive, unless they know that candidate will support the agenda that the rest of the US is rejecting.

Right now, Hilary is not a team player no matter how loudly you yell it. Not during a primary she isn't. You can note my negativity about Hillary all you care to. For completeness you can also note it goes towards all the DLC/Third way democrats out there.

[MADem]

33. Who mentioned him first in this thread? Who waved "Rinse" in everyone's face, like his little pissy

counter protest IN FRONT of the Va Democratic Party's venue mattered?

It wasn't ME--I consider him unimportant, and I find him pathetic, trying to cadge publicity off of his opponent's 'lift.'

You were the one who dragged him out and raised him up, like he mattered. So if you don't want to be accused of being friendly towards him, stop touting his ineffectual whines like they matter.

You consider it a shock that the Va DP would be warm towards someone who has helped them raise money in the past, and who has gone out of her way to campaign for, and financially support, Democrats running for office in the state. You plainly don't understand what a TEAM PLAYER is. Here, let me explain it simply--a TEAM PLAYER is a Democrat who supports other Democrats for public office, who helps them raise money, who appears at their rallies and campaigns for them, and who opens their PAC to support them--like HRC has done, and like she has even done for "caucusing with the Democrats" Bernie Sanders in his Senate run, too.

It's clear you don't understand how these things work. I can't make you get it--that's your issue.

[hootinholler]

36. You said the press wasn't there

I said it was. Simple statement of fact. Nothing to do with elevating anyone.

I totally understand how this shit works and I'm hoping we can change that. Nothing you have said tonight shows that the VDP isn't in the tank for Hillary. In fact you seem to be saying that's a good thing they are. This early in the primaries the party shouldn't be in the tank for anyone.

[MADem]

40. A Getty photographer and a loser who interviewed your pal "Rinse" was there.

A few stringers were inside the hall and wrote the usual "blah blah" coverage of what is a standard event.

Not sure what you're trying to play "gotcha" about. It was a party FUNDRAISER. It wasn't a rally. If you went there, you knew they were looking for you to reach inside your wallet, especially if you got the GOOD seats. Even the poor folk likely got a grip and grin pic, or a "small group" one.

And they raised a million bucks! In three hours!

And you're trying to suggest this is a bad thing.

Ohhhhh kay!!!!

[Ken Burch]

47. His pal "Rinse"?

Oh, so now you're insinuating that Bernie's campaign is a GOP plot?

In what universe?

It's delusional to argue that it hurts the party for Bernie to even be running.

[MADem]

48. Are you insinuating that some person who doesn't know how Democratic Party fundraisers

work, but who posts on DU about a GOP spokesperson (who was disrupting a Democratic Party fundraiser by holding a presser in front of the venue), is integral to "Bernie's campaign?" Running it? Or are you suggesting that the poster IS Bernie Sanders? I seriously doubt that.

In what universe? Try following the conversation.

What are you even TALKING about with that last sentence? Who's making that argument? I think it's great that Bernie is running; the more, the merrier--I wish he'd do a little fundraising for other Democratic candidates, like Clinton was doing at the JJ Dinner, there, but that's a different issue.

I think you need to back up and read.

[Ken Burch]

49. Nobody who supports Bernie would be in league with the GOP.

And Bernie's helped lots of Dem candidates over the years.

Could you link to the post you're referring to there? I hadn't seen it.

[MADem]

51. WHAT are you even TALKING about? Who is saying he's in league with the GOP?

Where are you getting this stuff?????

Maybe you need to read the thread again.

The only person crabbing about the "GOP" in this thread is the poster who brought up Reince Priebus, who showed up at the DEMOCRATIC party venue and held a half-assed, carping little press conference in front of the building where it was being held. He did this to be a pissy little shit--because that's how he rolls.

I'm not clear how you're trying to associate him with Sanders, but there is no association.

[Ken Burch]

53. All hootinholler did was mention Priebus. He didn't support Priebus being there.

Noting the guy's presence was not a gesture of solidarity with him. You had no reason to use a phrase like "your friend Rinse".

[MADem]

54. Why even mention the turd, when he wasn't even in the punchbowl?

The attempt was to associate him with the VADP in some perverse way. He wasn't even IN the venue, he was near it. BFD!

Hell, you have had your hair on fire assuming he was being associated with Sanders somehow (who was no where near the venue--he hasn't yet done any fundraising for state Democratic parties) ...without evidence, but never mind that, either!

[hootinholler]

71. I never mentioned Priebus

I only pointed out that the press was there.

But Bernie supporters make shit up just to be nasty, yaknow?

I think it's pretty obvious what's going on here.

[Ken Burch]

72. yeah.

Sorry for misinterpreting what you said above.

[Egnever]

31. I think you nailed it with this line

She DELIVERS

I have many issues with Hillary and am not sure I will vote for her in the primaries. Having said that she has shown up and delivered for decades now despite times of withering criticism that would have destroyed other people. You have to respect her for that.

[MADem]

34. Yes--she shows up...and she brings her Rolodex.

And she's not taking a dime of that cash with her.

Anyone who can raise a million bucks in three hours, and get that kind of scratch out of 2K people, is no piker. She's using her profile and drawing power to help other Democrats--and that's what a team player does. Good for her!

[Egnever]

38. Yup good for her.

I have nothing but respect for her willingness to show up year after year through good times and bad. Maybe even more respect for all the times she still showed up when it was bad.

If there is one thing I am convinced of it is that should she win the presidency she will work tirelessly through her presidency to advance the causes important to her. My worry is some of those causes are not ones I am aligned with. Obama has been closest in my lifetime to my perfect candidate though I will always mourn the pillorying of Dean. I don't expect to see another candidate that mirrors my views as closely as Obama has in my lifetime.

All of that said I am at the point now that should she be the nominee there will be no shame for me in pulling the lever for her. I doubt anyone would work harder at the job.

[riversedge]

21. thanks for the post.

[DFW]

58. I've been to a J-J dinner in Dallas

You are quite right--it is a Party affair, not a candidate rally. They are held every year, not just election years. Our speaker back then was Jim Carville, and his first comment was, "When they asked me to speak before the Texas Democrats, I thought I'd be giving a speech in a phone booth." There were a couple of hundred of us there. Two thousand people at a J-J event is massive.

Not only is Hillary a good friend of Terry McAuliffe, she is also a member of the Democratic Party. I wouldn't fault Bernie Sanders for not being there. There is no real reason he would show up at a fundraiser for the Democratic Party, since he IS NOT A PARTY MEMBER. I'm sure he would have been welcome to speak if he had expressed a desire to do so, but there is no reason to think someone who is not a party member would be asked to address a party function. A fundraiser is not a televised debate.

[MADem]

59. If he offered to speak and fundraise, he'd be welcomed.

Since he's running for the Democratic nomination, I should think it would be a nice gesture, to help out the parties in the states where he'd need favors, should he prevail in his quest to take the nomination. And if his presence motivated a few of his supporters to donate to the state party, that would be all good.

And yes, your point is salient-- of course it's not a debate. At those sorts of events, people look for points of AGREEMENT, not disagreement. It's happy families, team building, us-against-those-guys.

The whole purpose is to make some money to elect more Democrats, and fewer Republicans, to public office. Gee, where have I heard something like that before?

Carville must have been a good speaker at one of those things, even if your turnout was smaller than the NORVA one.

[DFW]

63. For a while, we Texas Democrats were an endangered species.

I hope the numbers are getting better. We sill have some pretty dedicated people, like Matt and Dolly Angle, Aimee Boone and Lisa Blue. We'll get there eventually. The Republicans are fracking their way into driving a lot of former supporters straight into our arms. It's funny how even Republicans can figure out that toxic drinking water poisons Republicans, too.

[MADem]

64. I'll bet they'll plump up if there's a Castro on the ticket!

And the downturn in the oil industry affects Texans, too.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-sales-taxes-dip-for-first-time-in-more-6345295.php

[DFW]

66. Put one of the Castro brothers on the ticket

And you'll see a bump in voter registration in Texas so overwhelming, the Republicans will think we'd annexed Mexico down to the Yucután.

[MADem]

67. Heh heh!!! Sounds like a plan! nt

[wyldwolf]

60. I find it amazing that some 'democrats' here aren't aware of the Democratic tradition of a JJ Dinner

In my neck of the woods, the event has been held in the Georgia World Congress Center. After tables, stages, sound sytem, etc. is set up, no one questions why the large facility isn't filled to capacity. But I guess no "progressive" ever went.

[MADem]

65. It sure is interesting!

[wyldwolf]

68. This whole conversation seems so familiar.

I think every election cycle someone has to explain to so-call 'life long Democrats' what the JJ Dinner is.

[MADem]

69. I know!!!! Amazing!

It's just so funny how that works!!

And it seems that, during a contested primary, the ... errr.... confusion ... is heightened! At least amongst a small subset of life-long Democrats, anyway!

[Buns_of_Fire]

26. It's nice that they raised $1 Million. Maybe they could see their way clear

to toss a few hundred bucks in our direction to field a congressional candidate for the 9th District in 2016.

[CanadaexPat]

27. Power follows the polls and votes.

[westerebus]

70. The Party or the party?

Mention McAuliffe and who comes to mind first?

Clinton.

Give it a few weeks and the Clinton campaign will roll back into Virginia for a second rally for their supporters.

That would be The Party.

Meanwhile, the party looks forward to a long hot summer, cold beer, bbq, the riv-ah and the beach.