Sample 2006 Galveston County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner Photos
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Posted on 03/04/2006 1:03:49 PM PST by anymouse
The prayer asked for blessings for the soldiers serving in Iraq, the president and the Republican Party cause. There was even a request for a divine blessing for Tom DeLay.
His opponents say that with just a few days left before Tuesday’s primary election, the embattled congressman needs all the help he can get — heavenly or otherwise.
But across the room of the Galveston County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner, few seemed worried that once the ballots were counted Tuesday night DeLay would be anything other than the party’s pick to return to Washington.
“Mr. DeLay will absolutely be shocked on Tuesday by his numbers,” predicted Michael Fjetland, one of DeLay’s three opponents in the GOP primary. “The numbers are just not there for him to keep standing.”
He based his forecast on a high voter turnout in Fort Bend County, considered DeLay’s base.
Turnout in Fort Bend County has been huge for the Republicans. Robin Heiman, a spokeswoman for the Fort Bend County Clerk’s election office said that as of Friday afternoon 6,763 people had cast ballots in the Republican primary. That compared to just 1,904 in Galveston County GOP races.
“People are tired of what Tom DeLay has done to hurt this party,” said Fjetland. “You don’t hear that in this room, but out there, in with the grassroots, that is what people are saying.”
Fjetland, who calls such party events as the Lincoln dinner “DeLay-fixed rooms,” claims that while the party’s upper crust continues to show support for the congressman, his real support was eroding.
Pat Baig, another of the District 22 contenders, said she, too, was hearing “the grassroots” calling, but she warned that the rise in voter turnout in Fort Bend County couldn’t be read in anyone’s favor.
“The old rules don’t apply in this race,” said Baig. “That higher than normal turnout could mean more people are turning out to send a message to Tom DeLay or it could mean they are turning out to support him.”
Supporters for challengers Baig, Fjetland and Tom Campbell were hard to find at the party event Thursday.
While most candidates, including DeLay, were introduced, Fjetland and Baig had to resort to one on one introductions.
Kris Anne Vogelpohl, considered the matriarch of the county GOP, was the one who included the special recognition for DeLay in the dinner’s benediction. While later she said she did not mean to single the congressman out over others in the race, the sentiment received overwhelming support.
“He is on my prayer list every day,” said former League City mayor Tommy Frankovich. The third generation Republican said he still supported DeLay despite the legal and ethical challenges facing the congressman.
“I have known his character for so long,” said Frankovich. “I know his heart is right, and that’s what matters to me and I think to most of the people in this party.”
Judge Lonnie Cox, who until elected to the bench in 2004 was a Democrat, also voiced support for DeLay.
“I don’t make my decision based on what Ronnie Earle has to say about Tom DeLay,” he said, referring to the Democratic district attorney who is prosecuting DeLay. “For me, it is getting to know the people running for office and in this case I’ve gotten to know Congressman DeLay and think this is all a distraction.
“But then, politics is full of distractions.”
DeLay himself seemed unfazed.
A certified auctioneer, he took center stage at the Lincoln Day event to help raise money for the local party. Before the opening bids he made no mention of his own campaign, but rather focused on the Republican cause.
“We have a conservative agenda that appeals to the American people,” he said.
His campaign was also confident of an impending victory come Tuesday. Staffers pointed to DeLay’s longtime support from within the district as well as efforts to identify his supporters and make sure they make it to the polls.
“We’re the only campaign actually identifying voters and pushing them out, while the other folks are still trying to introduce themselves to the voters,” said spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty.
ping
Galveston ping to who else??
Galveston ping to who else??>>>>>
Uh, Glenn Campbell?
:-) I thought someone was keeping a ping list. It isn't me...
Tom DeLay bump ...
Please put me on your Galveston ping list. Or forward my ID to whoever maintains one such list.
Many thanks.
At this point, I'm for whoever can keep seats Rep...would be discouraging if we don't keep this seat after all Delay has done for the party...don't forget the 6 additional seats thanks to his work on redistricting...that was "for the party". I firmly believe if he didn't think he would win, he would step down. What does the seat look like without him running in Nov?
Funny how someone in Massachusetts cares so much about a Texas Congressional seat. DeLay is going to spank Campbell and then Lampson.
Stockman will bow out later this Summer and throw any support that he might have behind DeLay. Stockman's candidacy is the insurance policy to keep Lampson out in case Ronnie Earle manages to get a judge to keep the charges against DeLay floating into the Summer.
Local voters remember Lampson for what he is, a liberal liar. Texans don't care for them much. Maybe that is why Lampson has to go to Massachusetts or Hollywood to raise any money.
Well you can always donate to the campaigns of candidates in MA or other sane parts of our Country. :)
Or you could move. :)
At least you have decent Governor. Don't know how that happened in liberal MA.
I hope those folks aren't foolish enough, or haven't been duped into, to through Tom DeLay out.
No, just some vocal posters on FR and the local lamestream media. Same old stuff, different year.
Thaks, I suspected that. More wishful thinking.
Galveston County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner photos are now available on-line at the Party web site at:
http://www.GalvestonCountyGOP.com
or at the Lincoln Day Dinner Directory at:
http://www.LincolnDayDinner.com
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