Spring 2015
The political pulse of Washington, D.C. beat strong and steady, with politics woven into the fabric of daily life. It was against this backdrop that I received a call from Jim McBride, president and founder of the grassroots organization, Network for Progress, Jim, a hope monger and change-maker deeply involved in Generation Obama, shared his enthusiasm for my events and how well our groups complemented each other.
“We have a special event in mind,” Jim began. “A Super PAC is in town and wants to host a happy hour in D.C. Someplace centrally located, good food with a breezy deck.”
Our conversation naturally turned to politics, as it often did in this town. The Super PAC aimed to encourage Joe Biden to run for the presidency, just in case Hillary’s email server controversy jeopardized her chances. The idea was not only to support Biden but also to honor his late son, Beau Biden, through a fundraiser for the Fisher House Foundation . The Bidens’ commitment to serving military families made it a fitting tribute.
June 4, 2015
Will Pierce, a tall 26-year-old with a beaming smile is also a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and has worked for Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2008 and volunteered for Obama’s that same year. Recently, he took on a new role, becoming a dedicated advocate for Joe Biden’s potential presidential run. Will’s passion for seeing Biden enter the race and his belief in the positive change Biden could bring to the country drove him to form the Super PAC “Draft Biden.”
“We don’t want to see another Bush or Clinton in the White House,” said Will. “We’re trying to show Biden that the majority of Americans would welcome seeing him run.”
Will, reflecting on Biden’s life and challenges, commented on how difficult it was to decipher the Vice President’s thoughts at that moment. Despite the unimaginable tragedy of losing his wife and one-year-old daughter in a car accident back in 1972, Biden didn’t step back or resign. Instead, he transformed that heart-wrenching experience into a source of strength, propelling him forward into a career dedicated to public service.
Jim expressed his satisfaction with the amazing turnout and the overwhelming support that poured in following Beau’s tragic passing. He believed that this groundswell of affection and encouragement might persuade the Vice President to enter the race for the presidency.
Surprisingly, even amidst the weight of Beau’s untimely death, the atmosphere was far from somber. The event managed to draw the presence of many attendees, including familiar faces like Mike Araman, Kobe Owens, Sue Schwartzberg, and Leonard Tyson, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose during this pivotal moment in American politic
“I would support either Biden or Clinton in the White House,” said Mike, a seasoned political enthusiast, his confidence in his choice evident. “Whoever wins the GOP nomination won’t stand a chance against any of them.”
“There are too many seats in the Supreme Court that is up for nomination next term. We definitely need a Democrat in the White House,” said Leonard.
By the end of the night. A sizable amount of money was raised to provide free or low cost lodging to veterans and families receiving medical treatment. Supporters gathered to honor the Biden family’s contribution to the nation and support a great cause in memory of a great man, and everyone seemed to have a good time mingling and catching up with old friends.
A couple of months later, another call from Jim.
“August 6 is the first Republican Primary Debate,” Jim announced. “It’ll be a GOP Clown show for sure.”
“Yes, it’s hard to believe that Donald Trump is leading in the polls and lapping Cruz by double digits.”
“Can we host a rooftop event where we’re offered a panoramic view of the Capitol?”
Armin Armin of Chaplin’s recommended I visit Cambria hotel down the road. “It’s where I stay when I’ve knocked back a drink or two, and I’ve gotta get up early in the morning. They have an indoor rooftop pool and a nice lounge with a stellar view of the city.”
“Great suggestion, the Cambria near the D.C. Convention Center is the perfect location,” Jim responded.
“I’ll talk to Evan Walton, the Director of Food and Beverage to see if he can offer specials on select apps and bar drinks.”
“We also would like to televise Jon Stewart’s last ‘Daily Show’ after the Debate. He’s bidding farewell that night.”
“He’s a legendary pundit and BS caller. We’ll definitely miss him.”
“Yup after watching ten candidates for four hours play musical chairs, we”ll be bored to tears.”
“Well, music always goes well with politics and allegiances are expressed well in song. Lemme tap into my Rolodex and contact a few musicians who can add joviality to the evening.”
I remembered watching Flo Anito perform at the H Street Festival and enjoyed listening to her Jazz Pop on keys and guitar. Her raspy voice was addictive, and she has a large vocal range (3.5 octaves) reminding me of the highly expressive voice of Fiona Apple.
Classically trained in voice, piano, and ‘cello, Flo began her singer/songwriter career at age 16 when she got her hands on her first guitar. She graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a B.A. in Music, and has lived and performed in the D.C. area ever since.
Flo has graced some of DC’s biggest stages: Strathmore, Wolf Trap, Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Birchmere, Blues Alley, the Fillmore, Hamilton Live, and Bethesda Blues & Jazz as well as dozens of annual festivals in the DMV.
“We’d love to be a part of this great event. I’ll make sure we have some exciting specials on apps and drinks for the evening. It’s going to be a fantastic night,” said Evan the food and beverage director.
A week before the event, we were pleased to see that over 100 had RSVP’d and the numbers just kept rising.
Jim exuded a big smile. “We’ve never gotten this kind of response for any of our events, not even the State of the Union or our annual Charity Date Auction.”
By the end of the night over 500 people had congregated at the Cambria some socializing and networking, some fully absorbed in the Debate, many enjoying the jazzy tunes from local favorite, Flo Anito belting out originals such as “Uh Oh!” and “Man of the Year” from her amazing album “No Dustbunnies”
We’ll have a big romance, straight off the silver screen
We’ll have a picket fence and the lawn of Kelly Green.
And I’ll sing my happy tune as I push my vacuum
And I’ll dust every room, you won’t find no dust bunnies.
“Thank you all so much for being here,” Flo expressed her gratitude as she took a moment to address the crowd. “Your energy is infectious, and it’s an honor to be part of such an exciting event. Let’s keep the spirit high and the music flowing!” With a beaming smile, she launched into another soulful melody, enchanting the audience with her captivating voice. When Flo sang, there were shades of Adele and Regina Spektor, and she created something new that captivated the audience.
Jim clapped exuberantly. “You were superb Flo. You should do more political functions. You’ve brought excitement to a boring debate.”
The turnout was extraordinary. It helped greatly that our event got a lot of play in the Wall Street Journal, D.C.ist, and other local media. For many Millennials, they were still in high school when Obama won the election and their vote would be critical in deciding the dynamics of the election.
When it was Trump’s turn to talk, he was greeted with a cacophony of boos.
“No way, will Donald Trump win the GOP nomination,” Mike Araman remarked.
A random intern chimed in, expressing their disapproval. “He’s a racist, sexist, ignorant, and divisive,” they remarked, mirroring the sentiments of many at the gathering.
Mike leaned forward, his eyes reflecting a mixture of excitement and concern. “You know, guys, this election season is turning out to be quite a show. Trump’s surge in the GOP has certainly made this race far more interesting. But whether he goes up against Hillary or if Joe Biden decides to enter the race, we’re in for a fascinating political showdown.”
The room fell into contemplative silence for a moment as everyone absorbed Mike’s words, knowing that the future held many uncertainties and potential twists in the political journey they were all embarking upon.
Jim chimed in, “These debates and events are essential in shaping the public’s perception of the candidates. It’s not just about the candidates themselves; it’s also about the voters and what they want to see in their leaders. That’s why events like this one are crucial in the lead-up to the election. They provide a platform for discussing the issues that matter to the people.”
Jim had a remarkable knack for always offering witty and pertinent comments at precisely the right moments. He had an inherent ability to infuse both humor and insight into his discussions, creating an engaging atmosphere for everyone present. Jim’s passion for politics shone through in his clever remarks, leaving no doubt about his deep appreciation for the political process.
“We kept the roof open for folks to enjoy the breathtaking views and then return downstairs for the food, fun, and mingling,”
Evan noted. “We managed to set a record for the number of attendees in our first year here in Shaw, and it was truly heartening to see people from all corners of the city choosing Cambria for such a historic event.”
As the debate unfolded, it became evident who the true winners were that night – our dedicated events team, the exceptional talent, the fantastic hotel (of course), and the passionate D.C. politicos, everyone but Trump.
Jim and I left that evening with a shared determination to continue hosting engaging political events in the run-up to the elections. While the dynamics of the race were uncertain, one thing was crystal clear: the political landscape was undergoing significant changes, and the upcoming election season promised to be historic and full of surprises. The question remained: would Trump secure the GOP nomination, and would he face off against Hillary, or perhaps Joe Biden would enter the race, making it even more unpredictable?
