Hey folks, sorry for the delay, but work and health issues have been a bear. Let me give you the rundown on the Brown County GOP's Lincoln Day dinner, held February 23, 2008 at Southern Hills Joint Vocational School.There were a few notable absences. Chairman Paul Hall was absent, because he was named Nationwide's agent of the year and was treating his office staff to a retreat. He did send along a letter and his best wishes. Michelle Jowers, Republican club Vice President, was also a no show.
UPDATE: Michelle Jowers was with her daughter, DeAnna, who had surgery over the weekend. Prayers go out to the entire Jowers family.
We have discussed previously the absence of Tina Meranda, for cancer treatment (prayers to Ms. Meranda and family, despite our differences). Tom Cunningham acted as Master of Ceremonies in place of Chairman Hall.
The event kicked off with a social hour, and Matt and I sure were popular. Judge Robert Ringland, candidate for the 12th dist. court of appeals, came up to us and knew us by name. He offered his congrats on our site and admitted he was a closet fan (sorry Judge, don't want to get you into any trouble). We chatted for a bit and he excused himself to work the room. Judge Hendrickson, a candidate for the other seat on the court of appeals, came up with his lovely wife and they, too, admitted they check us out. We discussed his upcoming race against Mary McElwee (who entered the race late after taking FOREVER to decide if she was going to run as an independent or as a Republican, makes you wonder about her dedication to the party, eh?) and about all the fun he was having coming to Brown County. He has been to nearly every party event since he announced, as has judge Ringland. Ms. McElwee has only been to the endorsement meeting and the Lincoln day dinner.
Speaking of Magistrate McElwee, her future son in law and campaign worker came up to us, merely because "we looked like popular guys" and introduced himself to us. We congratulated him on his upcoming nuptuals but we could tell he had no clue who we were. We also met with Connie Patrick, candidate for treasurer, and both candidates for recorder, Mariah Votel and Amy Jo DeClaire. We were congratulated for our work on Brown County's GOP website (OK, Matt's work, but some of my ideas and also my bullwhip to keep Matt on task).
We had a nice long chat with my Congresswoman, and a Great American, Jean Schmidt. She and her husband came to our gathering and they chatted us up for quite some time, discussing the FISA mess and other democrat chicanery. Her primary opponent, Tom Brinkman, was nowhere to be found, as has been the case throughout his "candidacy." I guess there was a COAST cult meeting in someone's grandma's basement.
MC Cunningham called us to order, and the Ripley ROTC color guard presented the colors as Bill Herdman led the pledge and Doug Green, Auditor, sang the National Anthem.
Jean Schmidt took the floor and gave a rundown on the FISA debacle and talked about how she was working for us and how we needed to come together. She reflected on her time as Congresswoman and said it was an honor to serve. She then introduced her predecessor in the 2nd Congressional district,and the keynote speaker, former OMB Director Rob Portman.
Portman remarked on how great it was to be home in Ohio, and how great it was to be home with the wife and kids. He reminisced about serving the 2nd district, and his family background. He discussed working with and against the Democrats. He talked about how low approval ratings are. He emphasized the need to get back to ideas and ideals. The main point of his speech, however, was a call to action. He wanted us to recommit ourselves to conservative principles. He talked about how the Republicans in Washington had lost their way, that we had become big spenders and that we lost our claim to being an ethical party. He called upon us to come together to restore those principles. He made an impassioned plea for us to get behind John McCain, despite differences. On issues of judges, taxes, and the war, McCain is far better than Obama. He revealed his plans to endorse McCain, as he did in that fateful event yesterday. He also talked about how Ohio was falling behind, and how we needed to turn it around. It sounded like Rob is thinking of running for governor, but those of us around the blogosphere hope he decides to return to Washington with George Voinovich's head on a platter. Please, Rob, run for Senate. Kasich has the governor's race taken. Go after Cryin' George, please. Rob concluded his remarks by talking about his new organization for Ohio, and thanked us for his support.
After the invocation by Pastor Carla Warren of the Georgetown United Methodist Church, dinner followed, and State Senate Majority Leader Tom Niehaus discussed state happenings. He talked about how the Ohio state republicans in the General Assembly were working to get things done for Ohio, rather than fall prey to partisan bickering. I for one, wish there were more partisan bickering and less go along to get along, but Sen. Niehaus has shown the ability to get things done in a positive way.
The candidates then introduced themselves briefly. The big thing that stood out for me in all this was the difference between Mary McElwee and Judge Hendrickson. Hendrickson seemed to feel at home and addressed us as equals, and talked about visiting us before and our endorsement of him. Magistrate McElwee seemed to be talking down to all of us, calling us "you people in Brown County," and reminding us of working with a Brown County judge eons ago. I was highly turned off by her elitist tone, and to find out about her waffling on going independent or not, thinking if she went independent she wouldn't have to get as many signatures or something. Sheesh... Congresswoman Schmidt, Mr.Portman and Sen. Niehaus all excused themselves as they had to attend Adams County's event that same night.
Overall, it was our largest Lincoln Day event, and it shows that despite an uncertain national climate, the party is still strong in Brown county.
Ohio 88th District Rep. Danny Bubp, on active duty in Iraq, was given the John Donohoo Award for his work with the party, and my personal friend Albert Spiller was given the coveted Sequoia award for his lifetime of service to the party. Al was able to attend just a few months after suffering a stroke during Christmastime. He looked well and strong as, well, a sequoia. Congrats to both.
The evening closed with remarks by former radio show host (back before our county station became a crappy robo station)Bill Cornetet, who encouraged us to stand firm on our values, reminding us of examples of Lincoln and others who believed in the rightness of their ideas even when it was hard, and to not compromise those ideals and principles.
Many dollars were also raised in silent auction and raffles for the party, as handled by Bill Herdman, Roxanne Malone, and Steve Loehrke.
