Monday, September 18, 2006

Post-Primary Events

The Women's Suburban Democratic Club Kiss and Make-Up at the Chevy Chase Holiday Inn attracted more winners than losers to its event on Friday night. I couldn't stay long but stayed long enough to hear Democratic County Executive Nominee Ike Leggett make a short, strong, and gracious speech. Leggett spoke very kindly of his opponent, Steve Silverman, who had attacked him fiercely in the primary. Leggett's only oblique dig was his conclusion that his campaign proves that "Good guys with good ideas" finish first in Montgomery County.

Equality Montgomery held a wild and crazy party on Sunday afternoon at the Clara Barton Recreation Center. OK, it was really a picnic with hot dogs and make your own sundaes with kids running around between the political candidates. Mayor Martin O'Malley, a Montgomery native, informed the crowd that he had pitched his single no hitter game of baseball right there and made a short, passionate speech calling for inclusion. Rep. Chris Van Hollen came up the road from an event of his own to say hello and made extremely clear his strong support for gay and lesbian rights. Other attendees included Del. (soon to be Sen.) Richard Madaleno, Del. Jane Lawton, and Democratic Delegate Nominee Jeff Waldstreicher. School Board Candidates, including Shirley Brandman and Judy Docca, were also there. Even perennial candidate Tommy Le made an appearance.