Scenes From a Midnight Inauguration
I have just returned from the Inauguration of Jack Markell and Matt Denn. Sorry that I didn’t blog it live, but once I got there, it seemed inappropriate to do so. From the blogging world, Cassandra M sat with me. Two rows up was Redwaterlilly and across the room I spotted Mike Matthews.
I also saw John Atkins in attendance with his designated driver, Pete Schwartzkopf. Apparently, another person in the car with these two was John Brady. Ahh, to be a fly on that dashboard.
The main event was the swearing in and pleasantly brief speeches by Markell and Denn. Denn was sworn in first and was wonderful. He mixed his overdeveloped sense of humor with his dedication to the children of the state of Delaware to deliver a short and sweet statement on what he plans to do.
Then it was Jacks turn. He wove his and Matt’s inauguration into the context of this historical significance of the day and the dire straights that we find ourselves, financially. His imagery was well-wrought and poignant. The closing analogy tied the hour of the inaugural to the future with this:
Although we begin at a troubled time, we do so with the realization that every day begins at midnight, the darkest hour, and is renewed into the fullness of light.
I’ll have the video of the event online soon. But for now, I’m going to sleep. Happy Change Day!
Tags: Jack Markell, Matt Denn
At the state level, I think that Markell and Denn taking over at this particular moment is as crucial as Obama taking over in DC in a few hours. While I certainly like both of these men personally, I do think that they grasp the magnitude of the challenges ahead AND will take the big decisions as well as the big opportunities head on.
Many thanks to LG who may have shed some blood holding on to a seat for me and it was fun to meet you, Redwaterlily!
Thank you for the report LG and Cassandra! Those of us who were sound asleep appreciate your diligence. It’s a great way to start the day knowing that Jack and Matt are in charge. And by 1:00 this afternoon things will feel even better.
Have you been watching the crowds in DC on TV? What an amazing outpouring of public support. On Countdown last night one group broke into a spontaneous chorus of “Sha Na Na Na, Sha Na Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye!” All I could think about was five years ago at Dean HQ in Newark where Jason led us all in the same chorus. It wasn’t to be then, but that makes it all the sweeter now. I hope Jason was in that crowd singing his heart out.
Onward!
Oh My, it really is Onward!
I actually used Delaware Liberal to help me stay awake until midnight. Even a former crony can hope and root for change.
Congrats on the title change, Lee Ann.
Among other great changes, my friend Lee Ann uses today to debut a new blog-persona. I’ve always thought of you as a public servant!
Lee Ann, you were discussed last night in the lobby. Supposedly, several individuals have more than a rare beef with your new job.
Paul Clark and Pam Scott were there, happily free from any recent bad News Journal press….Angie Basicoonsie’s ass, anyone?
Denn’s speech was good, better than Markell’s. Maybe I should go read his blog sometime.
Mike Matthews rudely abandonned his traveling partner last night in order to spring for ‘press seating’, I heard. 🙂
Several secrets were imparted to me that I mustn’t spill. Yet.
Hurray for Jack!
Another note, I ran into someone who left state employ for the county’s Community Services Dept. Evidently Anne Farley is allowed to hire her own communications director while Rome burns, or at least, while her libraries go shuttered.
I also got to congratulate Carl Danberg and meet his wife who shared the nose bleed balcony seating with me.
There goes Nancy Willing causin’ all sorts of trouble! LOL
Does anyone (baby boomer editions), feel like Miss Wright’s class should be bringing their chairs over to your class, to watch the TV being rolled in by the AV team, and witness a man/rocket in space moment? I sure hope the teachers today are letting the children plug in, or gather or whatever to witness all this.
LeeAnn-welcome back to average Delawarean status–no more first class seating for you! (Just kidding)
Rebecca–and FORWARD too!!
Nancy–Killjoy!
My daughter and I got there at just the right time and got a good seat close to LG.
I really liked that Lt.Gov. Denn (how formal) gave a short speech and emphasized our obligation to truly educate ALL of Delaware’s children, regardless of the socio-economic strata of their families.
It was a great way to start a memorable day!!!
Nancy, who is said person Anne has hired?
Nancy, tell your friends that Hatred is out and Reconciliation is in.
Joanne, it first dawned on me that my status had changed on Return Day, when I was being rained on and crammed into The Circle and had no place to pee or eat — and I looked over at the Brick Hotel and there was the New In Crowd, drinking and dry. And I was with “regular” friends, not politicos. It felt strangely liberating to be unceremoniously humbled!
Joanne, I too was thinking about the moon landing and being a second-grader seated on the floor of a classroom at Woodacres Elementary to watch shadows moving on a small screen. I had to be told what was going on…
This time is different.
Thanks to a 5 hour weather delay in Philly, I missed this. But I’ll be up in Dover tomorrow for the festivities.