RICHMOND — You sure couldn’t tell Virginia Democrats had lost the last three elections.

At their biggest party of the year, a lively crowd of lawmakers and activists from across the state brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for their party and shared a few drinks with longtime friends.

But they also couldn’t help but decry the new Republican rule in Richmond.

Even U.S. Sen. Mark Warner — the party’s defacto leader who earned his reputation by staking out a bipartisan tone — took more than his share of swipes at the GOP, which as of last month controls the governor’s mansion and General Assembly.

Warner, the popular former governor, derailed the “mean-spirited proposals” coming out of the state Capitol that he said would chip away at abortion rights, gay rights and voting rights.

“Elections matter. Just look at Washington: Congress is broken. The House is being run by a ‘just-say-no’ crowd that can’t seem to say ‘yes’ to anything,’’ Warner said in prepared remarks. “And, unfortunately, we’re beginning to see the worst of this style of politics here in Richmond at the state legislature.’’

Democrats hope the black-tie Jefferson-Jackson dinner will be a springboard for a comeback for the beleaguered party, which lost statewide races in 2009, congressional seats in 2010 and the state Senate in 2011.

They’re looking for big victories this year as former governor Timothy M. Kaine competes for an open Senate seat and President Obama hopes to win Virginia’s crucial electoral votes for the second time.

Kaine, the likely Democratic nominee, is expected to face former Republican governor and senator George Allen who is looking to make a comeback.

“As we’re trying to tackle the big problems...what you’re seeing out of the General Assembly...you’re seeing a whole series of things coming from them that bear no relation to the issues Virginians are taking about,’’ he said.

About 1,300 activists from across the state braved the snowy weather to fill every seat at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. In past years, Republicans have criticized Democrats for the dinner that falls in the middle of the legislative session when state law forbids lawmakers from fundraising.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, former head of the Democratic Governors Association who gave a memorable and lively speech at the party’s 2008 national convention, served as the keynote speaker. The Republican Party of Virginia used Schweitzer to poke fun of Kaine, saying the moderate Montana governor is far more mainstream than Kaine.

“These Virginia Democrats are going to decide who’s going to be the next president,’’ said Schweitzer, dressed casually in jeans and a bolo tie.

In past years, Virginia Democrats have seen the likes of Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton and former president Bill Clinton at ethe JJ.

The state’s three Democratic congressmen, Reps. Gerald E. Connolly, James P. Moran Jr. and Robert C. Scott, attended. But retiring U.S. Sen. James Webb canceled due to a family obligation, even though there had been talk about honoring him at his last JJ dinner.

Some activists were already looking toward in2013 as several Democrats looking to run statewide — for governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general — made themselves known.

Terry McAuliffe, a businessman and former Democratic National Committee chairman who is looking at a second run, bought six tables. (That doesn’t quite compare to 2009 when he bought 39 tables, hired a marching band and rented a nightclub for an after-party.) Hundreds of supporters wore blue “Run, Terry, Run” stickers, which McAuliffe said he was not responsible for — really.

Aneesh Chopra, who just stepped down as the first White House chief technology officer who is eyeing the lieutenant governor’s job, gave at talk earlier in the day on — what else? — technology and politics. Sen. Chapman “Chap” Petersen (Fairfax), who some would like to run for governor.

Also in the house: Former House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, who lost his re-election in November after Republicans eliminated his largely rural Southside district, who is interested in being the state’s top lawyer ; Democratic political adviser Rich Savage, and Arlington lawyer Mike Signer, who both ran for lieutenant governor in 2009, and may to do it again.

“It was a rough election for Democrats, but it’s time to rebuild,’’ McAuliffe said.

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) bashed President Obama’s yet-to-be released budget in the weekly Republican address — commonly known as the response to the president’s radio address — Saturday morning.

McDonnell accused Obama of making job creation tougher by planning to propose a tax increase, ignoring the growing entitlement crisis and failing to address the $15 trillion national debt.

“With no boldness or leadership or setting priorities, the Obama approach is simply more debt, more taxes, and more blaming others,’’ he said. “In short, we can expect that this will not be a proactive budget built to promote fiscal responsibility and future prosperity. Rather, it appears we’ll see a bloated budget that doubles down on the failed policies of the past.’’

Mc­Don­nell, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association, instead touted the leadership of GOP governors in Florida, New Jersey, South Carolina and, of course, Virginia.

“Republican governors are balancing their budgets on time, without tax increases, and without deficit spending,’’ he said. “And their hard work to make government more efficient and effective is helping to create the environment in which Americans can use their God-given talents to compete, grow, innovate and pursue the American Dream.”

Watch the full address below:

The Virginia Senate voted Friday to close the so-called Amazon loophole that has allowed the online retailer giant to duck the state sales tax.

Graphics of the new Amazon Kindle tablets are seen at a news conference during the launch of Amazon's new tablets in New York, in September. (SHANNON STAPLETON - REUTERS) The bill, sponsored by Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), would require retailers with a physical presence in the state to collect and pay the state sales tax.

Virginia business groups started calling for the measure late last year, when it was announced that the online retail giant, which already operates a distribution center in Northern Virginia, would open two more in the Richmond area this fall.

“The legislation will create a more level playing field for Virginia retailers,” Wagner said. “Companies with a physical presence in the state should all play by the same rules.”

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s congressional redistricting plan Friday, handing the state a victory in one venue of a two-pronged legal battle. A similar suit in state court is still pending.

A group of Virginia voters filed suit in November charging the General Assembly with failing in its duty, as the state Constitution says that new district lines “shall” be drawn in 2011. The state House and Senate could not agree on a new map last year, but the Assembly did pass a Republican-authored map in January that was signed into law by Gov. Robert McDonnell (R).

On Friday, the U.S. District Court in Alexandria granted without comment a request by state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) that the suit be dismissed; his office had argued that the court has no role to play now that a map has been finalized.

Good-bye, Virginia Seed Potato Board. Hello, government efficiency.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnel delivering his annual State Of The Commonwealth Address in January. (Tracy A. Woodward - The Washington Post) Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s plan for overhauling state government passed the Senate Friday in a bipartisan 25-14 vote.

It calls for eliminating some state agencies, deregulating several professions and cutting or merging commissions and boards.

Which is why, among many other things, the Seed Potato Board could soon find itself rolled into the Potato Board.

Streamlining state government was one of McDonnell (R)’s chief campaign promises.The plan, which still must pass the House, would save state government an estimated $2 million a year.