NEWPORT NEWS -- "We are the party of working people," says Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine. "We're not the ones at the top end. We're not the country-clubbers. We're not the easy-streeters."
The former Virginia governor was among guests at the annual Labor Day barbecue Congressman Bobby Scott hosts at his home in Newport News.
The event brings together Democratic leaders as well as voters. This year, the gathering came with a little extra party fervor. In fewer than 60 days, mid-term elections will determine if Democrats keep control of Congress.
"The question is whether or not you're gonna go with someone who's gonna drive us further in the ditch or someone that's trying to dig us out of the ditch," Scott says.
"The Republicans, often, you know, are kind of campaigning on this 'We want to take our country back,'" Kaine tells 13News, " and what my message is: 'No, we've got to have the President's back, and the way we do that is by putting in good partners.'"
The barbecue comes the same day President Obama spent time with workers in Wisconsin, discussing his plan that puts $50 billion towards keeping the economy moving forward, continuing work started by the Recovery Act. The focus of the initiative is improving or building infrastructure.
"Short-term: jobs on the construction side," explains Kaine, "but, then, it raises your platform for economic success."
The DNC Chairman says that makes areas, including ours, more attractive when recruiting companies and business which, then, would be sources of more jobs.
"Right now, ports compete with Hampton Roads by saying, 'Yeah, the port's fine, but the roads in and out are too crowded, so, if you make the roads in and out better, then, Hampton Roads port does better," Kaine says. "You can only do that if you can find dollars to invest, so, just as the Recovery Act funded a lot of projects here, my hope would be that this next round would do the same."
Critics believe the President's plan could fail practically, creating little or no impact, as well as politically. Those disheartened by current leadership could opt to change it come the elections in November.
"This is when we make the turn, at Labor Day, and get in the home stretch," says Democrat Kaine. "It's all about energizing the people."
