Delaware State News
DOVER — With a long election season that already has dragged through several competitive primaries, Democrats received a shot of adrenaline Monday night from Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., charging them up for the last three weeks of the season.
The vice-presidential candidate headlined the Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, bringing more than 1,000 in attendance to their feet several times during a half-hour speech, thanking party faithful and espousing optimism and a new direction for the country.
"We do not measure progress in terms of how many regulations we cut. We do not measure progress in what CEOs make," Sen. Biden said. "We measure progress by how much dignity and respect we show the middle class."
Sen. Biden whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he pounded the podium and yelled over the roar, "End this war responsibly. End this war."
He drew laughs when he joked about his debate with Republican vice-presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and how she told him — "as she was winking at y’all" — that she has listened to his Senate speeches since she was in the second grade.
"Well, I guess if she can see Russia from Alaska, she can see Delaware," Sen. Biden quipped.
"I was dying to say, ‘Yes, governor, you were in the sixth grade the last time (GOP presidential candidate Sen. John) McCain had a good idea."
Invoking one of his late father’s favorite phrases, the senator told the crowd to "get up" after they’ve been knocked down, and that while the hard social and economic times of the past several years have knocked Americans down, they need to get up and deliver a Democratic victory in November.
It was exactly what Democrats needed, apparently.
"I think he had a wonderful rhythm and connection with the crowd," said Rep. Bryon H. Short, D-Wilmington. "There was definitely that connection where he gave them a line to elicit a response and they followed right along with the answer."
Rep. Short said that the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner helps recharge candidates’ and volunteers’ batteries that have worn down during a long campaign, giving them a much-needed boost.
"You come here and you get, ‘How are you doing?’ and ‘How’s your race going?’" he said. "For all of us up and down the ticket, this strengthens our networks."
Kent County Democratic chair Abby Betts called the annual dinner "a big pep rally" that helps band the party together for the final push.
Democratic leaders gave the party regulars a pretty overt sign of banding together on the invitations to the dinner, with Lt. Gov. John C. Carney Jr. and state Treasurer Jack A. Markell — who waged a fierce battle for the gubernatorial nomination — serving as event co-chairmen.
The sometimes-contentious primary — which Mr. Markell won last month — could have divided the party, but Lt. Gov. Carney immediately called for unity, and the two stood on stage together Monday night.
"John Carney demonstrated more class than I’ve seen from any elected official in all my years of public life," said Sen. Thomas R. Carper, D-Del.
In addition to bringing the party together, Monday’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner gave Democrats a chance to showcase their pride and joy — the first Delawarean to appear on a major-party presidential ticket.
While a lot of the focus was on Sen. Biden, several said his presence did not detract from the primary purpose of the event.
"Biden puts the topping on the whole unity theme," Ms. Betts said. "It’s Delaware’s Joe Biden, and you can’t get any better than that."
