Labor Day Breakfast – Surprise Attendee; Surprise Non-Attendees

The Annual Labor Day Breakfast was held this morning and it was much more lightly attended than in previous years, although I contribute a big part of that to the fact that the Democratic Primary is over and the flood of candidates that are usually in attendance clearly played a factor. Another big factor was the fact that the Democratic National Convention starts this week so many people that would normally be in attendance were not there.

But most of the major elected officials were in attendance including County Judge Veronica Escobar, Mayor John Cook, County Commissioner Sergio Lewis, City Reps Emma Acosta, Susie Byrd, and Carl Robinson, Sheriff Richard Wiles, County Commissioners-Elect Vince Perez and Carlos Leon and Congressman-Elect Beto O'Rourke.

Yes, I know, they both have a Republican opponent, but lets be honest, they are going to stomp a mudhole in them. And not because of straight ticket voting but because the Republicans just don't field strong candidates.

Also in attendance were State Representative-Elect Mary Gonzalez and former State Rep Joe Moody along with the Chairman of the El Paso Democratic Party Rick Melendrez and the Party PIO, which for some reason was recognized from the podium. Thats the first time I remember a PIO being recognized and it was a bit awkward because there were other PIO's in the room that were recognized. I'm sure there was some legitimate reason for it though.

Perhaps the biggest surprise attendee, are you ready for this El Paso Tea Partiers?...the Republican Congressional nominee, Barbara something. I forget her name.

I know what you're thinking, what is a Republican doing at a Labor Day Breakfast? Everyone else in the room thought the same thing. She wasn't recognized by the podium though, which as a Democrat is refreshing. I went to another union event earlier in the year and they have beef with Beto O'Rourke so they had the nerve to have a Republican, who's platform stands AGAINST labor, actually speak at their event. I'm pretty sure they gave her a contribution.

So it was good to see a labor event where they didn't sell out their values for the sake of personal beef.

More on this in a minute...

Noticeably absent...the entire sitting legislative delegation. Not a single one was in attendance, although its possible they were all at the convention. I know the Senator was at the Convention for sure because he's now on the DNC.

(Quick sidebar now that we are talking about the Senator – I think his sacrificial lamb opponent Dan Chavez is or recently had, a fundraiser that was called No Way Jose. Obviously a shot at the Senator but the racial tone of the fundraiser was a bit surprising considering Republican stablemate Dee Margo is now rolling his R's in his name and is packaging himself as a Latino candidate. Ah Republicans, I realize your Presidential candidate is a flip-flopper but I didn't realize your entire party had identity issues...)

Also very conspicuously absent were most of the Old Guard of the Democratic Party. And by Old Guard, I don't mean the respectful, classy members of the Old Guard. I mean the annoying assess of the Old Guard, pun intended.

So getting back to the Republican nominee, I think I remember seeing some advertisement somewhere for her campaign that said something like “Its not about Party, its about values.”

Which is interesting because the Republican nominee has been trying to portray herself in a manner to appeal to Democrats. Interestingly I have heard the nominee also mention the fact that Catholicism is so big in El Paso. I find that interesting as well because from both a religious standpoint, as well as a party platform standpoint, her attendance was surprising.

First, the religious standpoint. The Republican platform is decidedly anti-labor. Yet the Catholic Church has a strong tradition of support and ministry for Labor. In fact, Sunday was the celebration of the Blue Mass, which is a mass for labor. There is actual church teaching for the support of labor.

I guess this next point is the reason a lot of people don't like when I show up to events. I like to pay attention to the little things. Like, for example, the fact that the Republican nominee exercised a little bad form at today's breakfast. During the benediction by Father John Stowe, who was a Lifetime Achievement recipient, the Republican nominee actually left the event. As I said, DURING the prayer.

Tisk, tisk...

I will say this though, it was kind of fun to watch the look on her face as Linda Chavez-Thompson, the keynote speaker, was speaking about the Republican agenda to the sound of boos from the audience.

Too bad the Republican nominee left a little early. I'm sure the Tea Partiers in El Paso would've loved to have seen her sing Solidarity Forever. I'm sure it would've been moving.