After enduring derisive comments from family, colleagues and friends criticizing my plans for Thursday, January 4 as "nutty," I went to Washington to attend the opening day pours. Armed with a list prepared by the amazing Sarah and Victor Kovner (Sarah should do intelligence where the CIA fails), I planned to drop in on around thirty House and Senate-member receptions and parties in and around the Capitol.
The events were open to the public although staffers had "light" lists which were jettisoned when strollers appeared. Just walk right in.
There were strategic issues: 1. The walk from the Senate offices to the House offices has nothing to do with the "straight line" theory of point-to-point spaziering. Security has made that impossible as "through" the Capitol is no longer happening. 2. House members were absent for most of their reception times because they were being sworn, voting for Speaker or called back to vote on the ethics legislation. Lots of waiting supporters.
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey had the most impressive party, perhaps due to the morning hour, because a number of Senators attended: Obama, Kennedy, Salazar, Biden, and others. Senator Frank Lautenberg let go with a cyclonic "give 'em hell" introduction. No political b.s. in those comments: just plain "boy, am I glad you're here."
Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, in a large room used later in the day by Senator Hillary Clinton, had the most crowded affair. That's because the Maryland folks come on the bus and drop by on the way to work! This guy goes home at night!
At the event for Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, I ran into a wee guest list problem even though all were welcome. I was photographed with the Senator. When an aide asked my name, I responded and offered my address. Demurring, the aide said that they already had "all that." There must have been a list. To the aide: not to worry. Is anyone classier than former Vice President Walter Mondale? My conversation with him, recalling a funny experience we shared, confirmed my view that he is class to the max.
Senator Clinton brought her husband to her party. The sight of two knots of camera-toting autograph seekers at either side of the room reminded me of the eye-rolling critics who pronounced me a "nut job" when I told them of my District of Columbia travel plans. President Clinton was pinned behind the bar, the only barrier in the room, joyfully being viewed through Sony and Canon. The Senator stood gamely at the front of the room and greeted the faithful with elan.
Senators Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Tester (Montana) and Stabenow (Michigan) received friends in more sedate fashion, actually strolling around to meet and greet. Their events were crowded but sane. Senator Stabenow had the best food, an aide obviously checking off the highest category on the Capitol caterer check list (no outside caterers: security forbids). She ran against a Sheriff who said in the campaign that he could be more helpful than Debby Stabenow on Iraq because he was a Sheriff. He lost.
I ended the long day at Cong. Carolyn Maloney's (N.Y.) comfortable Capitol Hill town house among many active New York Democrats. On the floor to pass the ethics legislation, she was late to her own party. Now Madam Chairwoman (of an important financial services subcommittee), she told me, "Listen, I'm going to be down here five days a week now so if you want to see me you'll have to come back to D.C." Eye-rollers take note!