Wining, dining and lobbying

What may be the social spectacular of the legislative season – perhaps of any Georgia legislative season to date — kicked off with a bang Thursday.

At Georgians for Better Transportation's fundraiser beneath the gilt-carved moldings of the Fox Theatre, Gov. Sonny Perdue spoke to frequent, rapturous applause and a couple standing ovations from 500 guests at candlelit tables.

Legislators, lobbyists, state transportation officials and contractors mingled and sparkled at sumptuous meals before a concert by country singer Travis Tritt.

Even the protesters outside, thrilled to have shown up in the dozens, basked in the bright, glorious focus of TV cameras.

Those who had it most comfortable were at a seated banquet in the Egyptian Ballroom, at tables running $5,000 to $10,000 apiece and sporting the highest and mightiest of state politics.

Banquet diners like Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, Transportation Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl and Georgia Highway Contractors Association Executive Director Steve Parks got to hear the governor speak (after their grilled vegetable terrine, flat iron steak with cabernet demi and deconstructed apple tart tatin).

For those only willing to part with $150 a head, a buffet and bar in the theater's luxe lobby provided delicacies and a chance to meet a lower order of legislator.

The politicians and state transportation officials got in free, but the other guests had to pay. The money did not go to the politicians.

Most attendees professed to be perfectly happy wherever they were.

"I don't want to sit and listen to Governor Perdue give a speech," said buffet attendee Peggy Meyer von Bremen, wife of former Senate Minority Leader Michael Meyer von Bremen.

A society photographer, Jeff Keesee, said he was "a bridge" between the luminaries inside and the activists on the street. "They're all my friends from Trees Atlanta and the Sierra Club," he said. There were a lot of MARTA union members, too.

The marchers stood outside as the ticket holders entered, chanting against what they perceive to be a pro-road, anti-transit stance from GBT and the governor. (Which GBT denies.)

The marchers took part in a "human train," their elbows chugging in single file down the sidewalk as spangled, rhinestoned ladies and their dates pursed their lips and walked past them into the theater. Once inside, many said the protesters didn't bother them.

The evening's glow had a remarkable reach. After his speech, Gov. Perdue was asked what he thought of the demonstrators. "I love them," he said, professing admiration for the First Amendment. "I think I'm going to go give them a hug."