Yesterday, I attended a private reception with The Second Gentleman...

[brooklynite]

...Doug Emhoff, courtesy of the DNC.

In addition to the expected Secret Service clearances, I had to provide proof of COVID vaccination AND a negative COVID test within 24 hours of the event. Masks were required during close-up activity (handshakes and photos), and a perimeter line was drawn around the podium when he was speaking.

He's an affable and engaging speaker (formerly an entertainment lawyer in LA) and talked at length about life as the first Second Gentlemen (Jill Biden told him: you have to just experience it and then we can talk about how to handle things), attempts to maintain some level of normalcy in their personal life, and how the Administration is dealing with the COVID crisis, especially convincing people to get vaccinated. He's also been out on the campaign trail, and will likely get busier going in to 2022.

I asked him how VP Harris was dealing with the other part of her job: Senate President. She's been building on her prior Senate experience and relationships and meeting privately and socially with other members -- Republicans included.

[Treefrog]

1. That makes me really glad to hear of the precautions they're taking.

I assume they’re doing the same with President Biden.

All very worrying.

[brooklynite]

2. More to the point, Biden is not doing in-person fundraisers...

...even for top dollar donors.

[Treefrog]

5. Oh, that's good to know.

Really, I just don’t think he can be too safe.

Dangerous times.

[Happy Hoosier]

3. Money talks, I guess.

I know it matters, but it sure would be nice for these folks to mix with some of us r'glar folks sometime.

[brooklynite]

6. I didn't say he wasn't...just not at fundraisers.

If it makes you feel better, nobody in the group was asking for "special favors". Just interested in getting Democrats elected.

[LanternWaste]

10. And there's the back of the t-shirt.

"Just interested in getting Democrats elected."

[brooklynite]

12. Do you find that philosophy problematic?

[Happy Hoosier]

16. I understand the role money plays in elections

And I appreciate that some wealthy people, such as yourself, favor the same (more or less) agenda I do. And I am glad you choose to spend some of your money in that manner.

But the simple fact of the matter is that your wealth does buy access. It just does. And you and others may not nefariously exploit that access, at least consciously, but the fact remains that the politicos know they have to be sensitive to your concerns, whether you make explicit asks or not.

I’m not saying not to do it. Fact is, we need you to. It’s the way our system is set up. But I do lament the fact.

[Treefrog]

7. Surely that's not a surprise for you?

[Happy Hoosier]

17. Not a bit...

… but it’s a bitter pill to swallow, nevertheless.

[leftstreet]

4. Did you tell him we need to lockdown and get stimulus checks?

I mean out here in the real world, things are looking shyte since the CDC eased the mask restrictions

[brooklynite]

11. I don't agree with lockdown and I'm guessing Biden and Harris don't either.

Vaccination and mask protection is fine. Shutting the economy down again is both economically and politically deadly.

[leftstreet]

13. Well, Biden suggested $100 to new vaxxers

so I thought maybe the administration was open to something

guess we'll have to see

[flying_wahini]

8. Did he mention anything about the Incident last spring?

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/17/man-arrested-near-kamala-harris-residence-gun-and-ammunition-found.html

I never did hear who this guys was working with….?

[brooklynite]

9. No

[JoeOtterbein]

14. Cool! Now...

...how about bringing a few of your dear DU friends along next time?

(hint, hint, wink, wink)

[USALiberal]

15. We get it........