The federal government is about to shut down at midnight tonight. Republicans control Congress but need Democratic votes to keep it open. Talks have broken down over healthcare. Democrats won't support a spending bill that ignores the health insurance crisis facing millions of Americans.

If there’s one lesson to learn from the Truman Day dinner - which many have already described as the best, largest, and most energetic in many years - it’s that Knox County Democrats are confident in the future. Not just optimistic. Confident.