J-J Dinner becomes Hillary-fest
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Last night’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, the premier event on the Democratic calendar, seemed in some ways a lifetime removed from last year’s confab. The ‘07 gathering had a surprisingly fun vibe to it – one guest explained that it was one night when all oppressed Democrats could gather in one room to party down and forget their many, many troubles.
The J-J Dinner last night seemed more businesslike. For starters, it took place in the drab, concrete-floored basement of the World Congress Center, rather than the well-appointed ballroom upstairs – presumably to accommodate a larger crowd. Also, this being an election year, there was more visible networking and campaigning, which likewise sapped the fun factor. Finally, Labor Commish Michael Thurmond did not repeat last year’s fabulous James Brown impression.
Even many of the speeches had a downbeat quality to them. Rep. Calvin Smyre, the minority caucus chairman, who’s served in the House some 33 years (!), memorialized longtime colleague Speaker Tom Murphy, who died a few weeks ago. And guest of honor, former Sen. Max Cleland, has come to be a living symbol of Democratic defeat at the hands of ruthless Republicans. He was introduced by a pretaped Sen. John Kerry, who has the unique ability to bring down any large gathering. Ex-Gov. Roy Barnes, however, had the best line of the night: “Max Cleland found out not all the enemies of democracy live in foreign countries.” Unfortunately, the Dems don’t have a viable challenger to GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss this year.
Also honored, in more upbeat fashion, was Rep. John Lewis, who received a warm intro from congressional colleague Rep. Charles Rangel of Harlem.
Then the doors opened and Hillary supporters flooded in to crowd in front of the stage. There were also a healthy number of Obama sign-wavers in the audience as well, but – with John Edwards ending his campaign only hours earlier – the evening felt a bit lopsided with only one candidate there to speechify. (Word was the Obamites wanted to set up a live link for their candidate, but the Georgia Dems said no.)
Still, the J-J Dinner was clearly energizing to most of the attendees, who have good reason to picture their man – or woman – in the White House next year.
See more of Joeff Davis’ photos from the J-J Dinner after the jump.
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