First Diary, so apologies in advance for poor form.
I am a Democratic Town Committee member and a Lamont delegate.
Went to the JJB tonight.The state part fundraiser. $175 per ticket, and a cash bar. Huge turnout for Barak and, as mentioned many times, the pure insider baseball kind of event. Much of the night was designed as a tribute to our junior senator. The very popular Chris Dodd introduced Joe, then Joe got to introduce Barak, then Barak had to start by praising Joe. All very neat, all designed to get huge ovations for Joe.
But it didn't work.
Dodd gave a typically excellent speech, but when he asked us to stand for Joe, only maybe half of the crowd did - the rest sat on our hands. Joe gave a rousing and funny speech (at least for him), but could barely be heard over the clink of silverware on plates. (which I swear was louder when he spoke then when Dodd did). The crowd barely paid attention to him.
Barak Obama gave a typically amazing speech, handicapped only by the obligatory pro-joe stuff. You could just feel the energy in the room decrease every time he had to praise Joe. He must have hated to do it. A great orator hates to ruin a good address.
One of the best cheers for Barak came when he attacked the War and the lies that led to it - I just wish I had been close enough to see Joe's expression.
All in all, a very good night for Ned. His supporters were well represented in the room. I actually saw as many of his buttons as Lieberman's. And the lack of enthusiasm for Joe from the party elite was simply stunning.
I am encouraged.
If Joe Lieberman can't get an enthusiastic response from this group, and he didn't, who the hell is going to work for him in August?
UPDATE: As noted below, AMERICABLOG has a report of Booing. As I responded, I booed (though frankly not very loudly)but didn't hear anyone else. I don't think this is significant. The question is not whether the JJB regulars will, in the end, support Lieberman, but rather with what energy. I saw no evidence that the party is exited about helping Joe keep his seat, no matter what our leaders say. That is why I call this a bad night for Joe.