...but you can't buy the grassroots. (Cross-posted at Blue Commonwealth)
I witnessed something first-hand last night that scores so astronomically high on my personal outrage meter that I can barely contain myself.
What I witnessed was a St. Patrick's Day party hosted by a Virginia Congressperson. Doesn't sound outrageous? Well just click on over the fold for the real story of what transpired last night.
Grassroots:
A grassroots movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement) is one driven by the constituents of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it is natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures.
My emphasis added.
So the event itself was Gerry Connolly's (VA-11) 15th Annual St. Patrick's Day Fete held in Fairfax, VA. The fact that it was hosted by Gerry Connolly is totally beside the point. The fact that the event, however, would also hold an "informal" (the word informal is key here) straw poll for, among others, the Virginia Governor's race is a central point. People who wanted to attend had to pay $40 (minimum) for a ticket.
Terry McAuliffe hasn't fared very well in other Virginia straw polls to date. He has also seen stagnant endorsements from Virginia's rank-and-file Democratic politicians and party leaders. So I guess it was time for a game-changer.
The game-changer, apparently, needed to be purchased:
If nothing else, the vote sprinkled a healthy pinch of fish food into Virginia's political aquarium. McAuliffe outshined his rivals in both organization and spirit at the event, arranging for donors to purchase 400 tickets for his guests, staffing the party with 60 paid campaign workers and prompting the loudest cheers when he spoke to the crowd.
Let me do the math for you. That's 460 tickets at a minimum of $40 per ticket. That equals $18,400. And when you pay $18,400 for visible support, you damn sure are going to get a loud crowd - hell - the 60 people on your payroll alone are enough to generate some noise.
The staffers were on hand to give tickets out:
Here are the tickets all lined up at McAuliffe's table:
So I'll repeat:
A grassroots movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement) is one driven by the constituents of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it is natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures.
Nothing natural or spontaneous about paying for a bunch of people to show up at an event with free food, beer and wine so that you can claim a splendiferous "win" in an "informal" straw poll. Oh - and remember earlier, when I said that "informal" was important? That's because those who voted in the straw poll were not checked to see - you know - if they were actual Virginia residents or not. Perish the thought. Who cares if MD or DC or TN or NJ people are voting in a straw poll for Virginia Governor, right?? Right. And the parking lot was filled with license plates from MD and DC (even TN and NJ!) that also sported "McAuliffe" stickers.
Look. You worked your ass off for Barack Obama last year. So did I. And I can say that, personally, I did it because I was just flat-out tired of the "old", unsuccessful way Democrats ran for office - often losing. I was just flat-out TIRED of the "traditional power structures" that told me that a heap of money from big corporate donors was the only way to win elections. What Terry McAuliffe did tonight - and make no mistake - I didn't like the guy in the first place - just dragged me back to the bad place that "traditional power structures" gave me. And Mcauliffe built those structures. We all worked so very hard to tear down that wall - to crash that gate. Terry's trying to put it back up.
The final straw (pun intended) was McAuliffe's twitter after the results:
What a spectacular night. The grassroots - you did this. All the great people I met tonight make me proud!
Yeah. Right. The grassroots.
As I wind this down - let me report the actual results of the straw poll, extrapolated from the earlier linked WaPo article (they give total votes cast and candidate percentages - I'm turning that into votes-per-candidate):
934 straw ballots cast
McAuliffe - 542
Moran - 280
Deeds - 112
542 straw ballots minus 460 paid attendees equals 82. That would have put him in distant third place. If I'm being generous and allow that the 60 staff members were NOT paid and did NOT vote, it's still 142 straw ballots cast from just average, paid-their-own-way people.
In Closing
I had an interesting conversation with another supporter of Brian Moran this evening. I told her - while I don't support Creigh Deeds in this primary process, I could absolutely get out there and work for him should he secure the nomination. He's not a progressive - but I know where he stands. I know how he's going to lead on things that really matter. The same, of course, goes for Brian Moran - the truly progressive candidate in this race. I know where Brian Moran standson energy, healthcare, education, and a host of other key issues.
I can't say the same for Terry McAuliffe. I don't know where his line is. My personal belief - call it an instinct - is that he doesn't really have a line. And I can't support that - never could. The outrage he perpetrated last night pushed ME past MY line.
Want to send McAuliffe a message??
Donate to Brian Moran, Virginia's progressive candidate for Governor. PLEASE ADD $.09 to whatever donation you make.
Brian Moran, Virginia's progressive candidate for Governor, has a great, integrated message that he's carrying to all corners of Virginia. He understands and artciulates how the economy ties together with energy and how that ties together with healthcare and back to the economy. He has a 20-year progressive record, and I'm a proud supporter.
The quality of Brian Moran (and even Creigh Deeds) makes the antics of Terry McAuliffe that much cheaper - and somehow more disgusting.
So throw a little cash at Brian Moran. It doesn't have to be a lot - just be sure you add that $.09 to the end of your donation.
Update [2009-3-18 11:25:28 by RenaRF]: I simply have to post this picture. It has nothing to do with anything except that I was a Brian Moran event for bloggers and did a totally gangster pose with Joe Trippi (who is directing Brian Moran's media). I just thought it was hilarious. :)
Update [2009-3-18 13:38:0 by RenaRF]: Ok. This is funny. I was quite in the spirit at the event last night. lowkell was kind enough to send this along:
Brings new meaning to "beer goggles". ;)