Florida reception and wrapping up Monday
It was really delicious to see so many people from Palm Beach County at the Florida reception hosted by Reps. Robert Wexler and Ron Klein. (Debbie Wasserman-Shultz was also supposed to be a host, but we never caught sight of her.)
Ron Klein told us he was happy to see so many Floridians in Washington to enjoy this joyous occasion.
Congressman Wexler was just all smiles and obviously thrilled to be here for this historic moment, which he was such a HUGE PART of creating! Toby sat next to him out in Denver at the convention for the Obama acceptance speech, and so Toby joked with him that he expected to be sitting next to him tomorrow too. (Ha! Fat chance! Rep. Wexler laughed and enjoyed the humor. Actually, he said “Oh sure - I’ll see what I can do!”)
A bunch of Obama field organizers were there too, including our own Maria Cole, Josh Phillips, Craig Borkon and Carol Pyne.
Rick and Carmella Morton, who helped tirelessly on the campaign out in Wellington practically from day one, were there to enjoy the moment with their two kids, Jasmine (now a freshman at Georgetown) and Derek.
We all went outside for picture afterwards on the terrace with the Capitol rising up behind us.
It was amazing to walk over around the Capitol and the swearing in setting and see so many giddy people just wandering around, drinking it all in! Looking at the thousands of people who were there tonight just enjoying the spot where it will take place tomorrow, I couldn’t help wondering if in inaugurations past there was ever such a huge feeling of joy at the prospect of a new president taking over. I sincerely doubt it!
Well, we are a little anxious about how exactly we are going to get to the Mall tomorrow. We can take a bus only so far - most streets all around will be closed. And we know the security checkpoints will take a LONG time . . . so Toby went to Whole Foods tonight and picked up healthy whole grain bread and muffins for breakfast and snacks tomorrow (THANKS TOBY). We figure we’ll have to be on the road at about 6am at the latest, even though the gates don’t open till 8.
Okay, I’ll sign off for now so we can try and get some rest. Probably won’t be able to get any messages out tomorrow before the ceremony, but we will try and see. Circuits have been incredibly busy up here with so many people writing home about this.
I’m fading now, so until tomorrow . . .
Lauren & Co.
…. and theres more Floridians on the way. Sounds like you guys are having a good time. I cant wait to be in Washington tomarrow. Im gunna have to book it to the mall when we land at DCA. This is all so kool that I’m still in disbelief that this is all happenning. After all this time, the big day is tomarrow. Hope you guys enjoy it. I really look forward to seeing you all when I get there. Catch you guys 2marrow.