 Back in the 1970's there was a cigarette advertisement that had the tag line "You've come a long way Baby." I think that is an appropriate phrase to describe the Reagan Republicans achievements since it was founded at Syd and Chickie Albright's kitchen table in July of 2009. From that first meeting with a handful of Republican activists to our most recent, this past Saturday, with members and supporters crowding into the Ballroom at Templin's Red Lion Hotel for our Inaugural Victory Fund Dinner, "You've come a long way, Baby." The dinner's success demonstrates just how far we have come. When we started, we worried about getting a dozen people at our first meeting and now, we have enough people anxious to pay forty dollars apiece to fill a banquet hall. In 2009 we passed the hat just to start our KCRR bank account but on Saturday we raised thousands for our political action committee. In 2009 our last minute endorsements for city councils produced only a solitary winner. In May 2011 KCRR endorsed candidates upset the establishment apple cart in the school board election. In November our endorsees are likely to break the Democrats grip on the so-called "non-partisan" city halls. In 2009, we were thrilled when our meeting was first listed in the newspaper's "Calendar of Events" section. Now, we have lead editorials written about us, cajoling us for expressing our partisan opinions in municipal elections. The overwhelming support Saturday night demonstrates our stalwart members and supporters think otherwise. In September 2009 our few opponents didn't care what we did. In September 2011, we are the designated conservative Republican "boogeyman" among North Idaho's remaining liberal and Democrat elites. We've come a long way, Baby. The main reason the Reagan Republicans have become a force for conservatism and the ideals of Ronald Reagan is our army of activist members who have dedicated their time and treasure for the cause. We are an organization dedicated to actively fighting for what we think is right. We are not a debating society or a social club. We roll up our sleeves and do the citizens' work of our Republic. Our members put their money where their mouths are by making the struggle financially possible. Increasing voter participation with mail and calling, financially supporting our endorsed candidates, and being watchdogs of the electoral process have been costs borne by Reagan Republicans. That was the ideal upon which KCRR was founded and its expression was evident at the Reagan Republican Victory Fund Dinner on Saturday. A sincere thank you is owed to Doug Shevalier and his wonderful wife Neini for chairing the event with amazing dedication. They and the dinner committee, Linda Kohler, Laura Gervais, Larry Seaward, Lora Gervais, Linda Kohler, Ann Seddon, Jeff Tyler, and Mary Unden worked tirelessly to get the dinner from an idea to a successful reality. A special thanks to the talented Cathyann Nonini for bringing her string trio, Beaujolais 179, to entertain us, the indefatigable Jim Brannon for his heartfelt fundraising appeal, and, of course, my lovely wife Glorie Ward for singing the National Anthem. We were blessed with generous donations of auction items from Congressman Raul Labrador, Sharon Culbreth, Preston and Carrie Hawkins, Jim and Melissa Hightower, Ron and Laura Lahr, Gene and Eileen Mann, Rob and Cindi Moser , Templin's, Fedora's Pub & Grille, and the members of the committee and their spouses. One of the amazing things was the generosity of numerous people, too many to mention. But I do want to recognize Brent Regan , Gary Nelson and Phil Damiano for their contributions and our table sponsors: Citizen for a Better Education, Commissioner Dan Green, Sheriff Candidate Keith Hutcheson, Ground Force Manufacturing and The Strategery Group. I also want to express our gratitude to the elected officials who attended and spoke: Senators Jim Hammond and Steve Vick, Representatives Frank Henderson and Bob Nonini, Commissioners Dan Green and Todd Tondee, Highway Commissioners Chris Fillios and Marv Lekstrum, City Councilmen Betty Ann Henderson and Kerri Rankin Thoreson, and School Trustees Bonnie Beaulieu, Tom Hamilton and Terri Seymour. Every Reagan Republican should be proud of these amazing people and everyone who came and gave for the principles we all share. I believe the Reagan Republicans, in the tradition of Ronald Reagan, are, more than ever, successfully fighting to make our community, our state and our nation better places to live and effectively struggling to restore the core values that made America great. We've all come a long way, Baby.
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