There were far more people there than the 25 that were registered through the website. Maybe twice that number.
The organizers were from the two local state candidates offices -- the local state rep and Darci Burner, WA-08. There were plenty of Maria Cantwell WA-Sen signs and pieces of literature, but no one from her campaign organizing for her. To be fair, the local state Rep. Ross Hunter wore a Maria Cantwell t-shirt.
The organizers were young. Oh dear am I getting that old. I guess it's true campaigns are for the young and for the retired. People on my dad's staff tend to be about my age, so I was surprised at how many faces looked like they belonged on the cover of Seventeen -- sigh. Good for them.
For every five people, there was a photographer. I tried to find out their affiliations, a majority were from party organizations. The remainder freelance or local news photographers. In a group of 50 people, having 10 photographers cannot be a bad thing.
I tried to talk to or listen in on as many conversations as possible. The two issues that are supposedly off limits were the issues that people were talking about -- Lebanon and Administraiton Incompetence to the point of Impeachment. People who identified themselves as being relatively new to following the politics of this years elections were focused on Lebanon, the politicos were focused on Impeachment.
There was an earlier diary that was rather cynical about the "6 in 06" literature. In some ways, I agree, but when I was canvasing and I delivered the message, people responded. The nice thing was the literature made it easy -- The first line was "rebuilding America one neighborhood at a time." The door hanger had a message in handwritten script that looked like a postcard. People responded to the literature enthusiastically, so I think it can be made to work. All I had to say was 'I am here representing the Democratic party, we feel America is on the wrong path, and I'm in your neighborhood to show we are committed to rebuilding America one neighboorhood at a time.' People seemed willing to listen and wanted more. One voter listed as independent flatly stated, several times, "The Democrats are much better at government than Republicans." This is what we want to hear, the independents getting the message.
Darci was the headline speaker, and she rallied the troops before some went out to canvas. She was best when she expressed her passion. She told the story of her family and growing up as a military child. She also delivered one of the better lines of the day: "my brother, who works delivering beer, and who says his job is far more important than this..." Funny b/c it's true. :)
Photos here...
Democratic Reunion Bellevue, WA
And in the "bumper stickers I want to see..." file
"We are all wearing the blue dress now."