Charleston has the unique opportunity to be the first West Virginia city to welcome a 2008 Presidential candidate. The Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee has pulled off a minor coup to acquire a high-profile Lincoln Day Dinner keynote speaker: Governor Mitt Romney.
Mitt Romney has a proven track record of responsible leadership in the executive branch of government. During Romney’s term as Governor of Massachusetts he balanced the budget without raising taxes or increasing debt; closed a $3 billion budget deficit his first year with a heavily Democrat legislature; consecutively filed a balanced budget each year without raising taxes; and addressed affordable healthcare in Massachusetts.
He also served as president and CEO of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. During his tenure he revamped the organization’s leadership policies, reduced budgets, and boosted fundraising. He also worked to ensure the safety of the Games following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 by coordinating a $300 million security budget. Despite an initial fiscal shortfall, the Games ended up clearing a profit of $100 million.
But Romney does not merely excel in the economic front. He is committed to traditional marriage and family and has testified before Congress in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
The Executive Committee will be dedicating the event to the United States Military men and women who sacrifice their lives and livelihood to the defense of our country.
This year’s Lincoln Day Dinner will be held on Thursday, March 8th, 6:30 PM at the Charleston Civic Center. You can make reservations by contacting Melody Potter, KCREC Chairwoman at 744-3058 or e-mailing Lincolndinner07@aol.com.
This is a great opportunity for West Virginians to hear a dedicated conservative Republican speak firsthand without any filters or distortions by a third party. Mitt Romney is a compelling speaker with a meaningful message; your night will certainly not be wasted.
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Comments
Mitt Romney is far from a “dedicated conservative.” He has only recently adopted the conservative party line in order to get the GOP nomination. In the past he has been vocal about his support for Roe vs. Wade and a woman’s right to choose abortion. He also endorsed Clinton’s assault weapons ban and the Brady bill. And last but not least, his “Romneycare” plan for mandatory health care in Massachusetts will destroy businesses by forcing all of them to provide health care for their employees or face severe financial penalties and liability. I hope no one wastes their money listening to his garbage. I know I will not be wasting mine.
Lee: Thanks for your comments. I did additional research and happened upon some information that gives me pause. I’m definitely still going to the event, but I won’t say he’s a “dedicated conservative” until I figure some things out.
The article reflects the change.
I think the evangelicals that comprise so much of the GOP’s base simply won’t go with a Mormon candidate, BUT THEY DON’T WANT TO SAY THAT. Instead I think they are using Romney’s inconsistent positions on wedge issues like abortion and Gay rights as camoflauge for their discomfort with Mormons.
This function is for the express purpose of raising funds for the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee.
While many will choose to support different candidates, I would rather take the enlightened approach and listen to all.
As many of you will agree the Kanawha County Republican candidates need all the help we can afford to offer, this function will help with that effort, we must work to elect Republicans in West Virginia.
Governor Mitt Romney has very graciously agreed to be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner. His appearance at our dinner, acknowledges West Virginia’s influence in the 2006 election. We are honored to have him appear at our event. His appearance at our dinner is not an endorsement of his candidacy. This is a fund raising event for our Committee, and an opportunity for Republicans and anyone interested in the 2008 elections to come out and hear Governor Romney speak.
Dajuan: You must not know many evangelicals. As someone firmly ensconced in what is known as the “religious right,” I have only found one person who is hesitant to vote for Romney because he is a Mormon.
Most evangelicals I know believe it is not how you reach your beliefs, but what you believe that counts.
Fred: You hit the nail on the head. It is very early in the presidential election; closed minds at this point simply will not do.
Regardless of what anyone believes about Romney, one thing I know for sure: Melody Potter and the Kanawha County Executive Committee are doing great things and we need to support them fully.
Nancy and John: I agree! It is great to see that West Virginia will again play a significant role in the election.
William: Actually I’ve known plenty of evangelicals in my time. I also follow what’s being said on a lot of evangelical websites and blogs. I know about http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org, but I also know that there are evangelical groups that routinely picket outside the LDS church headquarters in Salt Lake City. Trust me, I’m not as ignorant as you think.
Mitt Romney, GOP Presidential contender that he is, will no doubt generate a lot of press, and probably some cash, for your Lincoln Day Dinner. But when push comes to shove, I think a lot of self-proclaimed evangelical leaders will balk at supporting a Mormon candidate for President. And I think they are secretly hopeing push DOESN’T come to shove.
Dajuan: All I know is the last guy they said would never win Presidency because of his faith was Catholic JFK.
All anyone has to do, is to hear Governor Romney speak, or to meet him and you will automatically like him. We are fortunate to have someone of Governor Romney’s prominence to visit our city and state. West Virginia is viewed as very important when it comes to Presidential campaigns. I think when evaulating candidates, we need to look at a candidate’s record. Governor Romney has a proven record of performance with the 2002 Winter Olympics. His record as Governor of Massachusetts is stellar, although the majority in the State legislature there were and still are Democrats. He is still married to the same wife of thirty years, has five grown sons, and ten grandchildren. It would benefit each one of us if we were to give our Republican candidates the benefit of listening to them before a “rush to judgement”. I hope that all Republicans and all other interested parties will come to the Lincoln Day Dinner to support their Kanawha County Republican Party. This promises to be an exciting event!
I feel compelled to address Mr. Worley’s post in regard to Mitt Romney. I used to be a hard-core liberal. Now I’m a hard-core conservative. Ronald Reagan used to be a Democrat and president of a union. I’m blessed to be living in America where we can change our minds and philosophy.
Governor Romney’s health care plan didn’t impact employers and he vetoed the Massachusett legislature’s attempt to do so. For those wanting the FACTS they may visit heritage.org/research/healthcare/wm1045.cfm.Additional insight into Romney’s character can be gleaned from reading “Turnaround”.
My hat is off…and body bowed to Melody Potter for securing Governor Romney for our fundraiser.
Bill Riggall
Mr. Riggall, Romney vetoing that bill was merely symbolic to somewhat cover himself with business owners in the state. I would believe that he could have derailed this legislation with the clout he had as Governor if he were to pressure the legislators early in the debating of the bill. I believe that he was aware of the potential scenario of his veto being overridden and the legislation being passed, but he did not do enough to make them leave out provisions that were harmful to small businesses.
Many in the Charleston and surrounding area has the opportunity to meet and hear one of the Presidential candidates, Mitt Romney. An unknown. Already negative comments are being made, but how does one know if they are true or false. Take this opportunity to notice this candidate. Take this opportunity to make your own judgement and not from the opinions of a columnist or a reporter. Open your intelligence factor!
Get to know Mitt Romney. Listen and understand his “point of view” on the issues that concens us.