While the jury is still out on the number of people who attended for yesterday’s voting rights march, one pleasant addition to the day was a reception for organizers hosted by Sen. Joe Lieberman. About 200 people escaped the elements and made their way to the Dirksen Senate Office Building for drinks, snacks and speeches from Lieberman, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and others.

Preceded by a trumpet call from the festively dressed Faith, perennial mayoral candidate and local activist, Lieberman told the crowd he would enthusiastically support legislation to create a full voting Congressional seat for the District.

Lieberman said he formed a friendship with Norton during their time at Yale Law School and quickly agreed to sponsor her legislation in the Senate. Drawing parallels between the struggle for voting equality for blacks and women, the senator called D.C.’s vote-less status, “inconsistent with the founding principles of our nation.” While he didn’t attend the rally, Lieberman thanked marchers for braving Monday’s gusty rain. In a bit of theatrics, he asked the crowd, “How many roads must the citizens of the nation’s capital walk down to get full representation?” Of course the answer blowing in the wind was “too many.” Somewhere, Bob Dylan cringed a little.

As we eagerly await the return of voting rights legislation to the House floor, Lieberman’s energetic remarks seemed to convince many that the bill would have a least one friend on the other side of the Hill. Let’s hope he’ll maintain that level of energy when his fellow senators sink their teeth into the proposal.

Photo by Sommer Mathis