We knew it was going to be good. We tried to prepare you for it.
But, really, if we’d have known the Jefferson Jackson Dinner was going to be that good and told you that, you would not have believed us!
It was a sold out event.
More than 1,000 Louisiana Democrats in the room. From big cities and small towns. Dressed to the nines. Geared up for politics. Looking for direction to channel their energy.
They got that from our speakers. Forward, not Back! Obama, not Romney! Democrats, not Republicans!
Louisiana’s true champion, Senator Mary Landrieu!
Governor Martin O’Malley relished in the delivery of his speech on what separates President Obama from Mitt Romney and Democrats from Republicans – Democrats are going forward, not back! Newark Mayor Cory Booker did a verse and refrain riff in his speech that drove home the point why he and all Democrats “Stand with Obama!” It was a blast of great politics, great socializing, great food and even better networking!
On a day when Grassroots Democrats across the state celebrated President Obama’s birthday, Jefferson Jackson attendees had the feeling that they were taking part in re-birth experience, as the electricity in the room combined with the size of the crowd to blast away any remaining doubts about the future of the Louisiana Democratic Party in this state.
Our future was clear and palpable on Saturday night. The LDP is alive, well and getting stronger every day!
Rebirth Cake!
But, lest there be any confusion as to where the Party’s party was, the JJ concluded as only a great New Orleans party can — with a Second Line out of the ballroom led by the Uptown Strutters and LDP Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson. Such a night!
If you were in that number, you know! But, don’t just take our word for it. Click here to let some of the folks who attended tell you what they thought.
If you were not, then we know you’re not going to want to miss the 2013 version – and the first state party convention in decades!
For those of you wanting a little more of the here and now, come out to Lake Charles later today for the Southwest Louisiana Day of the Democrats! We’ll be working out of the Calcasieu DPEC’s new headquarters at 1200 Martin Luther King Highway (US 171) less than a mile north of I-10.
Governor O’Malley won’t be in Lake Charles; neither will Mayor Booker. But the real source of Saturday’s JJ buzz will be — fired up Democrats ready to get after the business of putting our state in the hands of people who actually care about it.
Governor Martin O’Malley, LDP Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson, and Mayor Cory Booker.
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Originally published: Aug 7, 2012