They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, as my husband and I were waiting to attend the Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner in Hartford we walked around the lobby. The emptiness of Joe's table was remarkable, so I took a picture. The staff's faces looked so forlorn one could ALMOST feel sorry for them.
Another table below the fold:
And then there was Ned Lamont's table with people constantly getting information, buttons, and signing up to work with his campaign.
Other thoughts...when Joe Lieberman was at the podium he looked so small and pathetic. In fact, he had to actually "shush" the audience several times. I know it was rude, but what's more rude? Hmmmm, maybe kissing a criminal president or loving a war in which your own able-bodied stepsons don't serve?
One of the people we were sitting with is the first selectwoman of a small town in Connecticut. Once she realized that I was not a Lieberman supporter we got into a tense discussion. Her view, like so many, is that we can't afford to waste a Democratic seat in the Senate. I told her not to worry, that Joe would be an independent before long. And, by the way, his support of Bush's war is unacceptable to me. That was the last she spoke to me.
The evening had a strange divide to it. Here we were, all Democrats, but still there was the old school hanging on for dear life to what's left of Joe. Then there was Dodd, kind of stuck with Joe, knowing that the 800 pound gorilla in the room was Ned Lamont.
As a teacher the most moving part of the evening came when Obama spoke of Joanthan Kozol's book "Shame of the Nation". The book, as always in Kozol's inimitable fashion, reveals the wide gap between the "haves and have nots" in our educational system. Obama referred to an inner city student (from Los Angeles), a young woman with college ambitions who was forced into hair braiding and sewing classes, "You're ghetto-so you sew." is how she phrased it. Obama is articulate and brings so much to his speaking. He can move the audience to laughter and tears within a short span of time. The fact that he spoke of this book, while at the same time addressing the Iraq War and other major issues, means he is paying attention. We need our leaders to pay attention.
And then there were the wonderful, small surprises. We had a lovely high school student stop by our table. She is part of the Young Democrats of Ameican High School Caucus. This is a newly formed group whose purpose is to build a movement from the ground up, much like the Young Republicans. They are seeking to spread the word to high schools throughout the state and ultimately to the national level. They are also seeking guidance and any other help anyone can offer. Contact information for this can be directed to Sarah Esty at seesty@hotmail.com. She can also be reached at (203)271-3248 or (203)641-0083. We do need to support this fledgling organization in any way we can.
And so the 2006 Jefferson Jackson Bailey dinner came to an end. More tickets had been sold this year than ever before, and so I am hopeful that this, indeed, is the beginning of a new, powerful Democratic momentum to take back our country.