Ten days to go and still no sellout for the Florida Democratic Party's lonely hearts club night out -- its annual Who-Dat Dinner, aka Leadership Blue Gala.
You want a seat? You've got one. You want a couple of dozen? Come on down.
Apparently there's still no forgiveness among the rank and file for the absence of A-list speakers like Bill or Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand or the like. This is Florida, after all. An important swing state, wouldn't you think? Where's the beef?
Here's how desperate the Florida blues are to fill the tables: They've got their National Committee chair offering herself in a game of chance for anybody who
signs up. Buy a $250 ticket, win a chance to spend the evening with Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
DWS tweeted it out earlier in the week: "@DWStweets is bringing one lucky Democrat to the @FlaDems' biggest event of the year."
The June 13 event at the Diplomat in Hollywood is billed as "an opportunity to come together as Democrats, celebrate our successes and get ready for the critical 2016 election."
Maybe the middle "opportunity" is the deal-breaker. I mean, if I'm a Dem, nothing's going to put me off a good cut of prime rib quicker than being forced to "celebrate our successes."
If you don't count Sen. Bill Nelson's victory three years ago, Florida Democrats have a winning stable of what? Two? U.S. Reps. Gwen Graham and Patrick Murphy are as high as I can count. Better maybe to celebrate because 2014 is good and over.
But, wait. Dems have even sweetened the speaker pot.
For $250, not only do you get Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, co-founder of Nextel and wealthiest member of Congress, and 33-year-old former combat veteran Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, you get U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland's 7th Congressional District.
The Florida Democrats' tweet read, "We're excited to announce @RepCummings will join us as a special guest at #LeadBlue!"
Maybe Cummings will tempt a few more Democrats to Hollywood. You think?
Personally, I feel for the congressman -- who really is one of the good guys. First, he finds out he's booked to energize deflated Florida Democrats who may or may not show up to their biggest fundraiser of the year. Then, on Tuesday, fire damages his Baltimore home. Maybe he'll have a better July.
Maybe a miracle at the Diplomat ... maybe a full house at the eleventh hour.
each Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
