A week ago, I covered the inauguration of Governor Bob McDonnell. For a political junkie like me, these events are always a lot of fun to witness in person. Sure, it’s cool to see the swearing in, listen to the inaugural address, and attend the inaugural ball.
But for me, more fun than any of that is people watching. I particularly focus on our elected officials. National and state leaders from both parties attend these events, with assigned seats on the portico of the State Capitol. And as you can see from some of my pictures, this sometimes makes for some odd pairings.
For instance, former Senator and Governor Chuck Robb and former Richmond Mayor and Governor Doug Wilder were seated next to each other. Even though Robb and Wilder are from the same party, neither one likes the other. Their decades-long feud includes a Wilder threat to challenge then Sen. Robb and allegations of a Robb staffer illegally recording then Gov. Wilder’s phone conversations.
Robb had what was likely another uncomfortable moment. He was seated on the same row as the man who beat him in 2000, former Republican Senator George Allen. Later, I caught the two former rivals in a brief exchange following the swearing in.
But, Robb wasn’t without friends at the event. From what I saw, he spent most of his time with former Senator John Warner. The two served together in the US Senate for 12 years and by all accounts are good friends.
And check out this couple: House Republican Whip Eric Cantor and Virginia Senior Senator, Democrat Jim Webb. It was an unlikely pairing, to say the least.
Finally, there’s this shot of former Governor Jim Gilmore, seated by himself surrounded by Virginia’s political elite. Sometimes a picture can say a thousand words.
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Posted by Jay Warren at 05:06 PM. Filed under: main •
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