Here, have a beer with my (future) Senator

[globalvillage]

Bob Casey meetup
May 5, 2006
Finnegan's Wake, Northside, Pittsburgh.

The last time I attempted to meet my future Senator, he was snowed in in Scranton. This time, he was surrounded by a flurry of partying supporters on a gorgeous spring evening at Finnegan's Wake bar, a local Friday night hangout for the young and young at heart Dems in Pittsburgh's Northside.
I got to the bar a little after 7 to find all 12 of Rick Santorum's supporters blocking the front door. Not a real obstacle, just sort of in the way (sort of ike Santorum will be come November). One of them was dressed as a duck, which I didn't get and was afraid to ask about, what with Rick's penchant for animals and all. Might even have been Ricky himself in the duck
suit, I couldn't tell. Perhaps he was wearing the costume to hide the fact that he has 11 supporters and himself.

The rest were dressed as assholes.

For my $25 contribution, there was free beer (no, thank you), soda (yes, please) and appetizers, including those great little cocktail weenies, to continue the theme of the people out front.

Mr Casey arrived around 8, and spent a few minutes working the room. The first speaker was Luke Ravenstahl, the rather hot and quite young president of Pittsburgh City Council, who introduced my Congressman, Mike Doyle.

Luke, BTW, is Pittsburgh's youngest ever City Council President.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/5476605/detail.html



Luke



Mike

Congressman Doyle, for those of you not familiar, is a great speaker with a style that tends to get the room fired up.

"How many people here think we're on the right track?" "Let's see your hands."
"How many of you think the President* doesn't have a clue???"

The crowd loved it.

"...$8 trillion..."
"...$6 billion..."
"$9 billion a month in Iraq and OBL thumbing his nose at us."

Oh, my boy knows his numbers.

"I remember the years of surpluses under Bill Clinton", he continued. "It's a lot more fun to worry about what to do with too much money."

Mike even refered to the Santorum crew outside. "The republicans will be ducking when they have to start answering questions."

What the hell was up with that duck? I have to find out. If anyone knows...

Next up was a video of the life and times of Bob Casey. His background, his platform which, not surprisingly as State Treasurer, began with A Return to Fiscal Responsibility.
A touching moment in the film was when one of Mr Casey's former fifth grade students (he taught grade school back when he had hair) talked about what a great teacher he was. How he told her he wanted her to use her voice, and not listen to those who said she should not.
End of film, short speech by Bob about the need for us to go down a more hopeful path and he was dragged off to an adjacent room for a local TV interview before the handshaking continued.

Some pics from this evening of my (future) Sen.









Although I missed another opportunity to talk with my (future) Senator, I did get to chat with Congressman Doyle. We talked a bit about an upcoming Dem event and, as he looked up the time and place for me on his blackberry, we discussed the blessings and the curse of being tied to e-mail 24-7. The 'crackberry', for those of you not chained, is the worst invention since the laptop for people who would enjoy having a life outside of work. My suggestion is to turn the thing off at 8pm, but I have a feeling the Congressman doesn't have the luxury. If, however, there's a Dem congressman from PA missing from some critically important vote during a late night session, oops. Sorry.

Good event. Mr Casey will make a fine Senator for PA.

[Allenberg]

1. I'm voting for Isaac over Doyle.

Screw Doyle. He voted for DOMA.

[Lib Grrrrl]

2. I Agree - If I Were In That District...

I, too, would vote Isaac over Doyle - and for the same reason.

D.O.M.A. = Damned Oppressive Marriage Act.

[wisteria]

3. Happy you got to go! Nice Pics. And Casey was their- wow.

You did a great reporting job, I almost felt like I was there. What was with that Duck? Did anyone ever find out?

Oh, and all 12 of Santorum's supporters were there- to do what? To amuse the crowd?

Thanks for posting.

[JNelson6563]

4. Thanks for that report

I really enjoy reading of the events other DUers go to. Thanks for taking the time.

Sounds like a great night. :toast:

[Bombtrack]

5. anti-choice nepotism case or Chuck Pennacchio, hmmm

I'm not a keystoner, but I'm baffled at yous guys willing exceptance of the DSCC's authoritarianism in this primary.