Hanging out with a real Maverick
by blueyedace2
Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:31:09 AM PDT
Last Saturday I got the chance to attend a private fund raising event with a real maverick, my Senator, Russ Feingold.
- blueyedace2's diary :: ::
So, I finally swallow my shy guy nervousness, check the mirror one last time, exit my car and head for the front door. I knock and am greeted by Chris, the local coordinator guy. Big smiles all around as I sign in and make a name tag for myself. More folks file in, I make some small talk with an older gentleman who is an electrical engineer with some interesting ideas about renewable energy and big cargo ships. More small talk, more people enter, have some snacks. Out the window I notice Russ' van pull up...
And in walks Russ. I'm right by the entry way, and totally nervous. Russ greets a few other people and turns and is looking right at me. "Hey!" he says with a big smile. I reach out to shake his hand and say, "I was afraid you wouldn't recognize me without a DailyKos t-shirt on". He kind of pulls back a bit and gives me a little tap on the shoulder and says, "Of course I recognize you, you're always showing to see me". Then staffer guy (I really should learn his name) asks if I want a picture with Russ. Well of course...
And Russ is off to mingle and chat with the other attendees, before stepping on to a small raised stage to give a brief speech.
First thing Russ does is calls out an older gentleman from the crowd and introduces him as his High School Debate Team coach and says, "It all started with this guy". Next he introduced the hosts of the event and talks about his early campaigns and some of the crazy ideas that were floated, and thanks John (the host) for the crazy idea of painting his five promises on Russ' garage door.
Russ then went on to address something he's very concerned about, and that is the disturbing pattern of secrecy carried out by the Bush administration. Russ strongly stated that the next President must make a sharp break from such secrecy. Other topics were addressed including health care (he prefers Hillary's plan), energy independence (try everything and see what works), and some local issues.
Russ than gave some shout outs to local politicians he's supporting including Penny Bernad Schaber who's running for Wisconsin's State Assembly. He than thanked everyone for coming out in support of him and worked the room for a bit before again thanking everyone and headed off to Madison to work on some State issues.
Wish I would've taken better notes so I could've written a more detailed account of the event, but hey, I always get a bit star struck around Russ.
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