Obama Causes Stir Among Former Colleagues At Durbin's DC Party

Obama Causes Stir Among Former Colleagues At Durbin's DC Party

President-elect elicited a "roar" when he made an unannounced appearance at Sen. Dick Durbin's party for incoming Senators Monday.

From the pool report by the Chicago Tribune's Christi Parsons:

At 7:40 p.m., Obama left the hotel and dropped by Dick Durbin's party at Bobby Van's Steak House.

A roar went up from a crowd of 250 in the atrium outside the restaurant as Obama came in, and PEBO then dove in and mixed with the Durbin friends.

Durbin stayed close behind as Obama waded through a crowd that, though it is a party for incoming U.S. Senators, was heavy with Illinoisians.

Obama's attendance hadn't been promised but, minutes before the president-elect's arrival, Durbin gave a friend a hint.

"He said there was a former Illinois state senator on his way," said state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, an llinois Democrat. Word spread through the room quickly.

"A big crowd gathered at the foot of the stairs, ostensibly to hear a few words from Dick," Schoenberg said. "They got more than they hoped for . . . Even more, I mean."

A slate of Illinois state lawmakers was present, along with the former Secretary of the Illinois Senate, Linda Hawker; UCFW local 881 head Steve Powell; and Nancy Kohn, a prominent Chicago-based Democratic fundraiser.

Obama stayed for half an hour shaking hands before leaving.

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