February 25, 2010 06:10 AM
Walsh: GOP Optimistic on Eve of Missouri Lincoln Days
The last few years have not been kind to Republicans starting with the loss of their majorities in Congress in the 2006 elections, followed by gubernatorial defeats in Missouri and in other states, culminating with the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. But the view of the GOP is that the tide is turning.
A shocking US Senate win in solidly Democratic Massachusetts—a victory that came on the heels of gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey—has put the wind in the sails of the GOP faithful heading into this weekend’s Missouri Lincoln Days event in St. Charles.
To say Republicans are rejuvenated is an understatement. Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Lloyd Smith has the party tapping into a lot of enthusiasm.
“Missouri Republicans have invested a tremendous amount of resources into making the 2010 Missouri Lincoln Days celebration the most exciting and successful in its 111 year history,” Smith told The Missouri Record. “With high-profile speakers, live entertainment, and training sessions, this event will be both fun and informative.“
February’s annual Lincoln Days weekend gives Republicans a chance to meet and to hear from candidates running for everything from State Senate seats to seats in the U.S. Senate. More often than not a high profile politician or presidential candidate will make an appearance. Recent big name guests have included Vice President Dick Cheney, US Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.
In the wake of the 2008 Obama victory and huge losses in Congress, last year‘s Lincoln Days celebration might have been anything but a celebration, but that won‘t be the case this year. Far from somber, this year’s Lincoln Days weekend should be party-like. In fact, the fun and frivolity portion of the weekend is being billed as a chance to “Party with the Party.“ Of course, some big name guests will be on hand to pepper party-goers with the all-important generous dose of politics.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is the featured speaker at Friday’s Missouri Republican Party Banquet. Pawlenty, who is not running for re-election this year, is considered one of the early favorites to seek the GOP presidential nod in 2012.
How strong a candidate might Pawlenty be if he decides to run for the White House? Keep in mind he won re-election in 2006—a very bad year for Republicans throughout the country—and did so in a state that elected Jesse Ventura its governor in 1998 and sent Al Franken to the US Senate a decade later.
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee addresses the Missouri Federation of Republican Women luncheon Saturday afternoon. Blackburn, a staunch fiscal and social conservative, is a regular guest on the Fox News Channel.
Later Saturday afternoon Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder hosts the annual Ice Cream Social. No political speeches at this event. Just ice cream.
Saturday night’s Missouri Association of Republicans’ banquet honors outgoing Senator Kit Bond.
“Senator Bond is a stalwart conservative and effective leader,” said St. Charles County Executive and Missouri Association of Republicans’ President Steve Ehlmann. “He deserves our gratitude for his decades of service to Missouri and our nation.”
Among those honoring Bond will be former Governor, Senator, State and US Attorney General John Ashcroft. Ashcroft wins praise of his own.
“Missouri is stronger and the United States is safer because of John Ashcroft’s tireless service,” said Missouri Republican Party Chairman David Cole.
Compliments and camaraderie aside the GOP is using this weekend’s gathering as an unofficial kick-off to what the party hopes will be a very successful election year.
“Our goal is to harness and amplify the enthusiasm that is being felt across the state and nation as conservatives work to take back our country in 2010,” said Executive Director Smith.
Topping the list of electoral attention grabbers is the US Senate seat being vacated by Senator Bond. Congressman Roy Blunt and more than half a dozen other Republicans have filed, so far, to run in the party primary. Republicans not only aim to hold onto the Bond Senate seat but are working hard to hold onto their five US House seats and pick up one or two of the seats currently held by Democrats. While Republicans face an uphill climb in the effort to steal a seat or two they are investing a lot of time, energy and money in at least a couple of the Democratic districts.
Former Matt Blunt Chief of Staff Ed Martin is hoping to unseat incumbent Congressman Russ Carnahan in the 3rd District. Several Republicans, led by State Senator Bill Stouffer and former State Representative Vicky Hartzler, have filed for the chance to try to unseat Congressman Ike Skelton.
All public events are scheduled at the St. Charles Convention Center. Registration begins Friday at noon with the weekend wrapping up with a Sunday morning prayer service at 9 o’clock.
Veteran Missouri political reporter, Steve Walsh, will be filing several stories on the Lincoln Days event for The Missouri Record.
In the wake of the 2008 Obama victory and huge losses in Congress, last year‘s Lincoln Days celebration might have been anything but a celebration, but that won‘t be the case this year. Far from somber, this year’s Lincoln Days weekend should be party-like.
