Typically, annual political party dinners are all about the love.
Generally only the hardcore party loyalists turn out for such events and speakers serve up generous portions of red meat rhetoric, firing up the base and sending the troops into the night inspired and motivated.
No doubt the West Virginia Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner Saturday night in Charleston will have its share of exaltation, but there could also be some awkward moments.
That depends, in part, on the comments of the featured speaker, former House of Representatives Speaker Dick Gephardt, as well as Senator Jay Rockefeller.
Gephardt, a congressman-turned-Washington-public-relations-man, could play it safe with traditional Democratic boilerplate material—working people, education, health care. Gephardt might even resurrect one of his oldies, but goodies. “Those who have prospered and profited from life’s lottery have a moral obligation to share their good fortune.”
Who knows? Retro populism might be fun for a night.
Unfortunately for the Democratic faithful, Gephardt is no Bill Clinton. The hottest political figure in the country not on any ballot is busy carrying the party water in states that really matter in this Presidential Election.
But West Virginians, being generally polite folk, will do their best to avoid lapsing into post-dinner lethargy as Gephardt holds forth on the virtues of a Republic under Democratic control.
Rockefeller, meanwhile, will take the stage as the elder statesman of West Virginia’s Democratic Party, a position previously held by the late Senator Robert Byrd.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything, Gephardt and Rockefeller say about President Obama. West Virginia Democrats, who have seen their party’s nominee take a beating in the state the last three elections, with a fourth defeat imminent, could use a lift.
Senator Joe Manchin, Congressman Nick Rahall and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin would just as soon Gephardt wax wistfully about growing up the son of a milkman and Rockefeller opine about the importance of health care than preach the gospel of Obama.
Rahall has said he supports the President, but he’s quick to point out his differences with him. Meanwhile Manchin and Tomblin have spent the campaign perfecting passable ways to not answer the question of who they support for President.
Their answers have ranged from linguistic gymnastics to the standard, “neither candidate has earned my vote.”
Bored fundraiser attendees can entertain themselves by watching the reaction of Manchin, Tomblin and Rahall when Gephardt or Rockefeller delivers an Obama applause line. (Memo to the trio: spend a few minutes ahead of time practicing what could be considered “polite applause.”)
It’s a political box, particularly for Manchin and Tomblin. Appear too sullen at the mention of Obama and party faithful will resent the disloyalty, cheer wildly and, God forbid, someone may get them on tape.
At least then, however, West Virginians would have some idea who Manchin and Tomblin plan to vote for for President.
(Editor’s note: I have contributed to Senator Manchin’s opponent, John Raese who owns Metronews.)