VOTE, You Lucky D12 Residents!!

Constant Readers,

Last Friday, I saw on Calitics the words: Free. Pancakes. Jackie. Speier.

I. Was. In.

Brian, Beth, Kate and I got up early on Sunday and headed down to South San Francisco for the breakfast festivities. At first, we didn't see Jackie at all. WTF? I showered for this?

After a little while, she came out and spoke to the crowd. She was wearing an apron - clearly she had been helping in the kitchen. She managed to look lovely and dignified in an apron. (The only time I ever wore one, I looked like some sailor who had been shanghai-ed and given lifetime KP duty.)

She knew practically everyone there by name and spoke about the war, health care, college access, No Child Left Behind, privacy and consumer protection. She spoke about how hers is a truly old-fashioned, grass-roots campaign. Happily full of pancakes and coffee, I "woot"ed and clapped along with the other attendees. After the speech was over, I was determined to meet the future Congresswoman. Of someone else's District. (sniff!)

But I was not at all used to that kind of situation. I think I now know what it's like to be a guy in a bar trying to approach someone. You wait, look, chat with friends like it's no big deal - all the time feeling twittery - and then when you see the moment, jump in with hand outstretched to introduce. And pray you don't look like an ass.

"Um. Hi. I'm Melissa. I'm a blogger. I've been to a bunch of your events but we've never met."

"I know who you are. I read your blog."

Holy Crap!!

"Hey, that's great. Ah, thanks...for...the...pancakes...." (Seriously. That's the best I could do.)

She smiled politely and moved on to one of her more articulate fans.

I would make a terrible guy.

--Melissa

NOTE: The Special Election to vote for Jackie is tomorrow! If she can get 50% + 1 of the votes, she will be off to Washington, D.C.! (And I will shut up about her for at least a little while.)   

Comments

[Greg]

you're internet famous!

i'll be sure to send her your good wishes when I cast my ballot tomorrow...

[sfwillie]

I think Barry Hermanson would be a surer vote against torture and war funding.

[(NotSFist)Jeremy]

I was really impressed with Speier when she ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2006. I was a big enough geek to watch a debate between her, John Garamendi, and the SoCal state Senator who split the progressive and women votes with Jackie and let Garamendi win. Jackie came across as really confident and knowledgeable. Too bad she's not the one gearing up to run for Governor instead of Garamendi. That said, her info on the issues on Jackieforcongress.com is pretty lightweight and underwhelming.

I think she's more prepared to go to congress than Barry Hermanson, but I really like Barry's focus on military spending. I wonder what Jackie had to say about it in their debate.

Geeky question: If/when Jackie wins, she'll become a super delegate. Any idea who she supports?

[Sweet Melissa]

(NotSFist) Jeremy: I agree! Barry does have some good ideas but ultimately Jackie has the experience and demonstrated chops. I did not see the debate, but I have seen Jackie speak on several occasions and she is quite forceful about the need to get out of Iraq and the need to divert the money being spent there to things like health care and education. Frankly, I don't see she and Barry being that far apart on the issue.

Also - previously, Jackie said she would support Hillary (that's who her constituents voted for, after all) but I read recently she has backed off of that stance a bit and is saying she will see how things play out.

[Greg]

It is very easy for people to talk, like Barry does, and talk and talk and talk. unfortunately that gets little done in Congress.

You have to have an understanding of the legislative process "as is" (not "what we'd like it to be in a hippy candyland perfect world of our own making). Barry is great at channeling his inner Marxist college student, but I don't know that he'd be very effective in what is going to be a more Democratic and Progressive majority in the House (as we'll be losing some center right D's and a LOT of incumbent R's this year, making Nancy's job a lot easier).

I realize that on the ultra-left there's this assumption that Pelosi got elected Supreme dictator of the US, which feeds all kinds of silly talk, but last I looked she had a slim majority with a good chunk of 'em blue dog democrats. Send more folks like Jackie and Nancy can do her job better cuz she'll have more folks on her side who won't cut deals with the Bad Peoples.

[DJTennessee]

Every day I get off the Caltrain at Hillsdale and have a long hike up to Campus Drive. I can tell you that Speier is dominating in terms of yard signage.