Protesters Don’t Dampen Stevens Miller Event

Even so, he encountered two very separate groups on Wednesday, Sept. 16, as a mini-tea party protest sprung up across the street.

Having stationed themselves at the corner of Herndon’s Elden and Spring Streets, a group of five to 10 protesters eagerly awaited the arrival of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, one of the high ranking Democrats who came out to support Miller.

With an American flag, a mastiff, and signs like, “We have a Delegate but no f/t Governor” and “Obama-Care No Thanks,” the small crowd was older, but particularly energetic.

Phil Jones of Herndon said, “The honeymoon with Obama is over. The young people are realizing that they’ll have to pay for the expensive programs like healthcare.”

The actual customers of Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern might have been perplexed at the attention as the actual Miller event was being held in the courtyard next door, shielded even from the view of the protestors.

Referring to both protestors and supporters, the eponymous Jimmy Cirrito himself perhaps said it best, “It’s a blessing that everyone cares enough to come out tonight.”

The Miller event itself appeared to be a great success. Local Democrats were led down a short walkway next to the tavern, where the hidden courtyard was filled with tables, a bar and an impressive buffet table. Covered by tents against the chance of rain, the sounds of old-style jazz lilted through the air. All in all, it seemed like nothing less than particularly fancy event from the Prohibition-era 1920s.

The 86th District is a difficult one for a challenger, as it straddles both eastern Loudoun and western Fairfax. To wage a viable campaign, Miller must perform well in both. Perhaps a sign that he has been embraced by Herndon Democrats, the turnout was significant, with approximately 100 in attendance.

More impressive was the wholehearted support of Virginia Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd), Del. Ken Plum (D-36th) and the visiting Gov. Kaine—all of whom extolled on Miller’s campaign expertise thus far.

The praise is not just bluster. While facing incumbent Del. Tom Rust is certain to be an uphill battle, Miller has been running a smart campaign, and his remarks to the assembled crowd at Jimmy’s shows that he’s improved his speechmaking skills as well since his 2007 campaign for Loudoun County supervisor.

Miller’s also waging a tough campaign, calling the House of Delegates a “petrified forest” unable to move legislation past the current Republican majority, and taking Rust to task, saying, “For eight cycles, our money and our delegate has gone to Richmond and only Tom Rust has come back.”

Kaine hit a similar note in regards to Miller’s opponent—being respectful of the long-time incumbent, but reiterating that Rust to compromised by the Republican leadership in the House of Delegates.

“He will do what his leadership tells him to do,” said Kaine.

The final result of the delegate race is still very much in contention, and is likely to heat up before the November elections. In weighing the chances, Kaine energized the crowd by saying that “We have gone from a reliably blue state to a very competitive state—that means when we work harder, we win.”