BaROCKing the Vote

Last night Adam and I stopped by the BaROCK the Vote party at the Asylum and got to hear the sweet, sweet sounds of the Pete Kilpatrick Band. There were at least a couple hundred people there and everyone paid $20 at the door, which went straight to the Barack Obama for President campaign. Although neither of us is a registered Democrat, we're both part of the under-50 set and tend to be glass-half-full kind of people, so I guess it was inevitable that we'd gravitate to Obama's inspiring message and promise to provide more thoughtful, compassionate leadership than what we've been subjected to for the past eight years. A number of familiar Democratic faces spoke at the event. Including ...

Justin Alfond, the former head of the League of Young Voter's who's running for Portland's District 8 State Senate seat, and

Chellie Pingree, who's running for Maine's first Congressional seat. She gave a funny speech contrasting herself with Sarah Palin, noting that although she's never field dressed a moose she did beat her Republican challenger in a recent cow milking contest. And

Congressman Tom Allen, who's challenging Senator Susan Collins and write-in Independent Herb Hoffman for Collins' post in Washington.

The youthful crowd was pretty pumped, and a big thanks must go to organizers Elliott May (of Portland Greendrinks fame) and Bree LaCasse (who's mother is responsible for the wonderful holiday sculptures that light up Portland in the winter).

The Pete Kilpatrick Band closed out their set with the title song from their current album, "Hope In Our Hearts." It's an apt anthem for our current political situation, as it tells us that "With hope in our hearts/We'll pull through the night." I, for one, am hopeful that they know what they're talking about.