Cross posted from/read more at Blue Virginia
I attended yesterday afternoon's "Women for Terry McAuliffe" event at the historic State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia. It was a great event before a packed house (700 or so), with people fired up for the Virginia Democratic ticket and of course for former Senator and Secretary of State (and possibly future president, speaking of "historic"!) Hillary Clinton. The former First Lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State made her first political appearance in several years, on behalf of her "good friend" Terry McAuliffe, who she showered with praise as a father, as one of the most big-hearted and hard-working people she knows, and as someone who will work 24/7 for the people of Virginia as their governor.
A major theme of the speeches yesterday afternoon was protecting women's rights, which would come under serious attack if (god forbid) Ken Cuccinelli and his "extreme team" ticket were ever elected. As Terry McAuliffe put it, he will stand as a "brick wall" between any extreme legislation coming out of the Virginia General Assembly when it comes to women's health and reproductive freedom. He pledged to make Virginia an opening and welcoming place for everyone, one which again is in stark contrast to Cuccinelli and his Tea Party ticket mates.
Also speaking of "historic," Virginia Democrats are on the verge of making history in just over 2 weeks, with the possibility of sweeping all three statewide offices. Let's do it!
P.S. Note that the same day 700 Democrats were rallying with Hillary Clinton, Ken Cuccinelli was firing up his teahadist base with extremist/bigot Mike Huckabee. The contrast is highly revealing, wouldn't you say?
Teahadist protestors before the event (duhhhhhhhhhh....drool)
Crowd awaits Hillary Clinton and the Virginia Democratic candidates (photos by Adam Zuckerman of the Herring for AG campaign and Del. Scott Surovell)
Dem. Party of Virginia Chair Charniele Herring welcomes the crowd
Virginia's next Attorney General, Democrat Mark Herring, speaks (introduction by Latinos Con Terry member Leni Gonzalez)
Virginia's next Lt. Governor, Democrat Ralph Northam, speaks (introduction by Latinos Con Terry member Leni Gonzalez)
(Dorothy McAuliffe is introduced by Prince William County science teacher Kellie Blair Hardt, named one of five national teachers of the year. Dorothy McAuliffe then speaks.
(Terry McAuliffe speaks.)
(Terry McAuliffe introduces Hillary Clinton)
(Photo of Hillary Clinton, Terry and Dorothy McAuliffe by Del. Scott Surovell)
(Photo of the Democratic ticket and Hillary Clinton by Democratic super-volunteer Sue Langley)
(Photo of the Democratic ticket and Hillary Clinton by Democratic photographer/volunteer Jack Powers)
(Photo of Hillary Clinton at reception after the rally by Mark Zuckerman)