We noticed how the various speakers at this week’s AFN conference worked the crowd. Several speakers (like Van Jones) drew on the preacher tradition and built on the cries of “Yes!” and “Tell It” from the audience. They got louder and built their energy to a crescendo. United Steelworkers head, Leo Gerard, used the fire in his own belly to energize the crowd.

On the other hand, when Florida’s Representative Alan Grayson spoke the last morning of the conference, what can you say? The guy gives off a Steven Wright level of energy. He just doesn’t give a damn what you think of him. He says what he pleases. He ate a breakfast sandwich during his introduction and tried to get the bits of it out of his teeth during the first five minutes of his talk. And for Grayson, that works. Also, he likes props.

Scroll immediately to 9:50:

(I pulled the video down because it was making noise whenever someone clicked into ScruHoo. Tom – would you add a link, so folks can find it? – GS)

Third place finisher Ken Lewis endorsed Elaine Marshall to be the Democratic Party’s candidate for the United States Senate.

GOP Senator Richard Burr

I was feeling kinda blue about the NC Senate race. I’d been thinking that the prolonged primary battle between Marshall and Cunningham would drain so much money that the eventual winner would have too big a mountain to climb against a well financed Richard Burr. That’s still a concern, but it’s a lot easier to start at a monetary deficit if you’ve got great numbers like those found in the most recent Public Policy Polling report. Excerpt:

“Elaine Marshall and Cal Cunningham have both gained ground on Richard Burr after building up their exposure during the Democratic primary campaign. Burr is now in a weaker position than Elizabeth Dole was at the same point in the election cycle two years ago.

Burr leads Marshall by just a single point, 43-42, and is up 44-39 on Cunningham. Dole led Kay Hagan 48-43 immediately after the primary in 2008.”