As Republican faithful toasted the second term of President Bush last night, about 100 liberals gathered in a Washington, D.C., hotel to commiserate on what felt like their bleakest hour.

It was the anti-gala gala, an inaugural party hosted by the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), a group founded in 1947 that calls itself "America's oldest liberal lobbying organization."

As the '60s cover band took a breather, the crowd turned to hear a give-'em-hell speech by the group's president, Seattle Rep. Jim McDermott.

And the nine-term Democrat did not disappoint.

Introduced as the "star of 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' " the anti-Bush film by director Michael Moore, McDermott took the microphone and tried to cheer up the crowd, which looked as if it were trying to boogie at a wake.

"This is the beginning of the last term of President Bush," he began. "It's all downhill from here."

After calling for a moment of silence for the troops in Iraq, McDermott sought to claim the moral high ground by contrasting the ADA's humble soiree to the ritzy balls taking place across the city.

"I know there is a Republican Party, but I think they've become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Inauguration Party," he said. "The elephant stands for the size of the check you've got to write."

There were lots of differences between liberals and Republicans last night, he continued.

"Republican donors rode in stretch limos. Democrats are riding in big stretch Metro buses and subways."

McDermott, in his second two-year term as ADA president, said Democrats will not fight for their agenda as much as they will try to protect long-standing Democratic favorites, such as Social Security.

President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935, and it's no coincidence McDermott mentioned FDR several times in his speech, recalling highlights of the New Deal.

When it was over, someone handed McDermott a T-shirt that read: "Don't Let Bush Ruin Social Security."

Quipped McDermott: "I'll wear it in the [House] gym, so Tom DeLay can get a good look at it."

DeLay is the House majority leader.

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com