This was a house party with a purpose.
Gathered at Betty DiMaio and her husband's Fort Lauderdale home were about two dozen Democratic Party activists and volunteers, ready to hear direction from their commander in chief during Tuesday night's State of the Union address.
"Whatever he says, I'm going to be taking notes," said DiMaio. "I'm going to be looking to see what he wants from us as part of Organize for America, to support him in 2011. I'm looking for direction from him."
Betty DiMaio is a community leader for her branch of Organize for America. Her house party, given to watch the president's speech, was one of hundreds across the country specifically organized to build support for President Barack Obama's bid for re-election.
Compared to the phone banking and neighborhood canvassing work they're used to, DiMaio said, Tuesday's event ranks as the "fun stuff."
"To me, it's a no-brainer," said DiMaio. "You make a few phone calls, send a few e-mails, and soon you find you've got 30 to 40 people in your neighborhood who you start to get to know and realize they share the same values as you. And there's the network we'll start to use for campaigning in 2012."
Reaction to the speech was what you might expect from a group of Democratic community organizers. The president's goals for increased use of clean energy and the resolute stance on his health care legislation drew big cheers and applause. They cracked up over the shots of House Speaker John Boehner crying and sniggered at the MSNBC cutaway shots of Sen. Marco Rubio with a sour look on his face.
What may have been less expected was the approval of the president's comments that seemed to be directed more toward the Republicans watching -- for example, when Obama said the country should start "rewarding good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones." Or when he said Washington needs to start eliminating barriers that hold business back, and taking responsibility for the deficit.
Ken Evans, an area leader for the Broward Democratic Party, said those issues, and particularly the deficit, aren't just for Republicans.
"I think one thing that the American people realize today -- maybe because of the unemployment, we're very aware of what's happening in Washington," said Evans. "We're very aware of money I think it's just common sense, you know, cutting budgets, like we do in business."
Another in attendance, Pauline Garrett, pointed out that while she agrees that addressing the nation's debt is important, the president brought it back to the Democratic staples -- keeping the rich at a higher tax rate, and not repealing health care.
"So he was really kind of in the middle," said Garrett, "kind of giving to both sides."
While virtually everyone in the room walked away saying how energized and inspired they feel, there was still a slight hint of disappointment.
"I mean, he talked about 'this is our Sputnik moment.' I didn't see it," DiMaio said flatly. "But I'm not going to say I'm disappointed, because he's got the right themes and the beacons will emerge. I'm OK with that. I think we're moving in the right direction."
She also said she is hoping to see more clear direction -- "a call to action" that will "rally the troops." But even though it didn't come Tuesday night, DiMaio holds out hope for that specific instruction to come, guiding her and her team of activists to a Democratic win in 2012.
Lane Wright can be reached at Lane@sunshinestatenews.com or 561-247-1063.
