Obama to Speak at Va. Democratic Fundraiser
Obama to Speak at Va. Democratic Fundraiser
By Tim CraigWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, January 5, 2007; 3:50 PM
RICHMOND, Jan. 5 -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), a possible presidential candidate next year, will be the featured guest at a major fundraiser for the Virginia Democratic Party next month, his spokesman said today.
Although the details are still being completed, the first-term Democratic senator will speak to several hundred donors and activists at the party's annual Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Richmond.
"We are honored to have Senator Obama as our keynote speaker for the 2007 Jefferson Jackson Day dinner," said C. Richard Cranwell, the Virginia Democratic Party chairman. "As we look to continue our momentum in the 2007 elections, we are excited to have one of the brightest Democratic stars help energize our party."
Obama's participation in the event comes as he is considering running for president in 2008, a prospect that is generating a lot of buzz among Virginia Democrats.
In 2004, presidential candidates Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.) , Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) and Ret. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark spoke at the Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which was held days before the primary.
Kerry easily won Virginia, and Clark and Edwards dropped out of the race shortly thereafter.
If Obama enters the race, Virginia Democrats say he will likely be a major factor in the state's primary, which will be Feb. 12, 2008.
Obama, who enjoys a friendly relationship with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Sen. James Webb (D), has made several high-profile visits to the state in recent months.
Last fall, he headlined two rallies for Webb during his heated contest against former Sen. George Allen (R). Thousands of fans, many of whom swarmed around Obama like a rock star, showed up at the rallies in Old Town Alexandria and Richmond.
He also campaigned for Kaine during the final days of the 2005 governor's race.
"Sen. Obama is an admirer of Gov. Kaine's and believes that Gov. Kaine is somebody who demonstrates that working together to get something done is not just a slogan," said Robert Gibbs, Obama's communication's director.
Virginia's Jefferson Jackson Dinner will being held Feb. 17 at the Richmond convention center. Tickets go on sale Jan. 17.
In September, Obama headlined the West Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner. Party leaders said Obama's presence made the dinner the most well attended in its history, according to local media accounts of the event.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010501317.html
By Tim CraigWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, January 5, 2007; 3:50 PM
RICHMOND, Jan. 5 -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), a possible presidential candidate next year, will be the featured guest at a major fundraiser for the Virginia Democratic Party next month, his spokesman said today.
Although the details are still being completed, the first-term Democratic senator will speak to several hundred donors and activists at the party's annual Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Richmond.
"We are honored to have Senator Obama as our keynote speaker for the 2007 Jefferson Jackson Day dinner," said C. Richard Cranwell, the Virginia Democratic Party chairman. "As we look to continue our momentum in the 2007 elections, we are excited to have one of the brightest Democratic stars help energize our party."
Obama's participation in the event comes as he is considering running for president in 2008, a prospect that is generating a lot of buzz among Virginia Democrats.
In 2004, presidential candidates Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.) , Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) and Ret. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark spoke at the Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which was held days before the primary.
Kerry easily won Virginia, and Clark and Edwards dropped out of the race shortly thereafter.
If Obama enters the race, Virginia Democrats say he will likely be a major factor in the state's primary, which will be Feb. 12, 2008.
Obama, who enjoys a friendly relationship with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Sen. James Webb (D), has made several high-profile visits to the state in recent months.
Last fall, he headlined two rallies for Webb during his heated contest against former Sen. George Allen (R). Thousands of fans, many of whom swarmed around Obama like a rock star, showed up at the rallies in Old Town Alexandria and Richmond.
He also campaigned for Kaine during the final days of the 2005 governor's race.
"Sen. Obama is an admirer of Gov. Kaine's and believes that Gov. Kaine is somebody who demonstrates that working together to get something done is not just a slogan," said Robert Gibbs, Obama's communication's director.
Virginia's Jefferson Jackson Dinner will being held Feb. 17 at the Richmond convention center. Tickets go on sale Jan. 17.
In September, Obama headlined the West Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner. Party leaders said Obama's presence made the dinner the most well attended in its history, according to local media accounts of the event.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010501317.html
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