'Dems' pre-Thanksgiving power lunch

Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Washington, DC

Senator Mark Warner's (Democrat from Virginia) annual luncheon began as just a gathering of a few friends after a round of basketball on the eve of Thanksgiving more than 30 years ago.

Today, Senator Warner's luncheon is a must-attend for Washington's Democratic Party movers and shakers. A savvy businessman turned politician, Warner is currently serving in the United States Senate as a junior senator of Virginia. This year's luncheon again took place at The Palm, a fabulous restaurant just a hop, skip and a jump away from Dupont Circle, and one special guest was Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks. In attendance on Wednesday November 23 was Senator Joseph 'Joe' Manchin III, the junior senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, is the former governor of West Virginia who won last November's special election to fill the seat left vacant upon Robert Byrd's death.

Also spotted was Terrence Richard 'Terry' McAuliffe, a long-time leader and political adviser for the Democratic Party. A former co-chairman of President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, he also served as chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. At the luncheon, he sought donations for the annual Pilgrim's Lunch that was now in its 25th year. Many of those fed through this effort are homeless persons who populate the park at Dupont Circle.

But talk about working a room! The charmingly ebullient Senator Warner wrote the book. It would be nice to see him at work in the Oval Office after President Obama's second term. And what excellent powers of recall. This reporter's casual comment during our greeting was repeated in his remarks that came towards the end of lunch and he also remembered me by name upon departure - in spite of meeting scores of guests! Senator Warner appealed for generous donations towards the 26 million pounds of food for the Food Bank for the needy.

"What began as guys playing basketball has grown into a wonderful amalgamation of friends, former basketball stars and some political colleagues. Remember that not everyone is fortunate to enjoy a good Thanksgiving; do donate to show our strength," he urged his guests.

The venue

The second Palm location to open, it's the downtown DC place to see and be seen. In fact, its opening was largely due to the encouragement of President George Herbert Walker Bush, then US ambassador to the United Nations, who urged the owners to bring their 'good American fare' to the capital city. Now, for over 38 years, the Palm is still the 'Best Power Lunch' in DC (as voted by Washingtonian Magazine 2010, thepalm.com). But by all appearances, the luncheon has outgrown the venue as at times there was standing room only and pre-lunch conversation was a loud cacophony of deals being made, meetings being conducted and much strategising for the obviously rough road ahead for President Obama's bid for a second term.

Senator Warner was the 69th governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006 and he gave the keynote address before the nation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. His experience as a congressional staffer and Democratic Party fund-raiser in the '80s prompted his involvement in Columbia Capital, the telecoms venture capital firm, which he founded and from which he subsequently amassed a tidy fortune.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com.