The Yolo County Republican Party held it's annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner tonight at the Hotel Woodland. The dinner was wonderful as well as the silent auction, but when you have a group of republicans get together, you had better believe that the talk will turn to politics and it will be spirited and inspiring. I had the chance to speak with Doug LaMalfa and two of the men who are running to take over his seat when Doug is termed out this fall, Charlie Schaupp and Jim Neilsen. It will be an interesting race to be sure. Greg Aghazarian was on hand as well as John W Jones and a few more I am sure I missed. Oh, and a table full of Davis College Republicans, great to have you here!

While many local candidates for office spoke to the crowd of 100, the featured speaker of the evening was Tom Del Baccaro, the Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. Tom is also the man behind the Political Vanguard website and the author of The New Conservative Paradigm.

If you have not had the chance to hear him, Del Baccaro is wonderful speaker. Not only does he speak with conviction about the issues we as republicans hold dear, he speaks about the ideas all Americans care about. Having heard my share of political speeches, I always ask two question when the speaker has finished. First, did I learn anything new and important, and secondly, did I feel that the speaker was talking from his heart?

Tonight, Del Baccaro kept coming back to the 1976 election, where many republicans who were pulling for Reagan stayed home on election day because they were not all too thrilled with Gerald Ford. What did that get us? James Earl Carter, along with double digit inflation, 21% mortgage rates and a rudderless foreign policy. Tom's point hit home with me. McCain isn't my guy, he's not even my second choice, but he is far and away a better choice for President than Barack Obama. He finished with this question, what will we do, we as republicans? Will we stay at home because John McCain isn't all we want in a candidate or will we look past our differences in policies to keep a slick talking guy selling false hope out of the White House?

An honest question, and one we had better figure out quickly. If you are a Huckabee supporter, keep on believing, but be ready to throw in with McCain when your guy is out of the race. For all you Romney folks, Giuliani folks, FredHeads, and you Ron Paul supporters, who are thinking about sitting this election out, ask yourself this. Did I 'get back' at the country for not supporting my guy and staying home, or did I 'teach my party a lesson' by sitting this election out?

Let me answer that one for you. No, you didn't.

You gave us three new Supreme Court Justices nominated by Barack Obama and confirmed by Harry Reid.
(the sound of me stepping down off my soapbox)


This year's dinner was another success thanks to all of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Great job, and we will see you next year.

You can't make this stuff up.

Tom McClintock is not impressed.

I admit that I didn't believe the first reports that the California Energy Commission is seriously considering a law to require homeowners to install a thermostat that can be adjusted by government bureaucrats. It seemed like 'black helicopter' hysterics to suggest our government has become so intrusive that it would seek to monitor and control minute decisions like what temperature we set for our own homes.

The rationale for this brave new world is that government can promote energy conservation and avert blackouts by electronically entering our homes and adjusting our thermostats for us.

Yea, and while your at it, we can have the democrats install chips in our cars to regulate the maximum speed we will be allowed to drive. Oh gosh, I shouldn't give Fabien any ideas.

A blustery Veteran's Day in Yolo County finds many American Flags snapping in the swift North wind. The sky that just a day ago was gray and dark with a soft soaking rain has been replaced by the clear deeper blue of a bright fall day. Puddles are disappearing, the soft ground will soon become firm enough to walk across without leaving footprints and the hawks are out in the fields, soaring aloft and diving down on their prey. November in Yolo County, my favorite time of year.

There are many wonderful stories written today about the debt we owe to those who served, fought and especially to those who gave their lives in the defense of freedom. In wars both here on our soil and in far away lands in places that don't make it into history text books.

As I sit in the quiet warmth of my home today, watching football with my son, I find it so easy to forget that today in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world there are soldiers strapping on their gear, getting their orders from their squad leaders or company commander and heading back out to stand a post or to go out on patrol.

What they would give to be home today with their family enjoying a relaxing day in the familiar comforts they once knew. Reading the blog entries of some on the front lines, I get the feeling that while they would love to see their families and feel the love that comes from being home, I get the feeling they would want to get back to their second family very soon.

The bond between veterans is amazing, forged by common experiences that we as civilians just can't understand. It is both instant and lifelong. I have listened to two veterans talking and as soon as they found out they share a mutual friend, or were stationed at the same backwater base, they instantly connect and those of us who did not serve are left outside of their conversation. And while I cannot feel that same bond with these men and women, my admiration for their service is something I am not sure they can understand. I send care packages and write cards and letters, I also thank any uniformed solider I see. It is the very least I can do, and it does not begin to explain how much I respect and admire these Americans.

I will leave you with a portions of a letter written by a soldier today, Veteran's day 2007.

As the veterans of World War II pass too quickly into history, their ranks are being replaced by a new "greatest generation." The war on terrorism is creating veterans at a rate not seen in decades.

Yet the military is much smaller now than during World War II, leading some analysts to posit that a rift exists between soldiers and citizens and that those making sacrifices on the battle front are disconnected from the society whose freedoms they defend. The American people are oblivious to the war, they claim, as well as to the men and women who are fighting it. Some have even suggested that the only way to close the gap is to return to conscription.

But these observers of the social scene have never served in Iraq.

Those of us overseas know that "support the troops" is more than a slogan. Here we are besieged by what my master sergeant calls "paper love," the cards, letters, posters and other gestures of support sent by people across America.

I hope you stopped by to visit us at the Yolo County Fair.
We had a great time talking to our friends and neighbors and signed up more Republicans to vote.

John W Jones did a wonderful job again this year and here are few words from John and some photos. The last photo is one of one of members cleaning up from someone who felt it necessary to stomp mud all over our booth. Shocking isn't it, that if you can't win the battle of ideas you resort to mud-slinging, literally.

The Yolo County Republican Booth was received very well by so many attending the Fair. Its a chance to put a positive and friendly face on the Yolo County Republican Party.
We emphasized providing voter registration, a gratis drink of water (going through 14 5-gallon bottles), a Republican Elephant hand fan (distributing about 250), some Ronald Reagan signature Jelly Belly jelly bean sample sacs (about 750). We offered information about Republicanism and conservative representation and sold a few both serious and humorous political buttons and bumper stickers.

The booth was staffed over 48 hours of the Fair's operation over the 5 days by 26 volunteers (including 8 Central Committee members and 1 Alternate - John W. Jones, Glenn Holderreed, John Fronefield, John Chiles, Barbara Fair, Doug Young, Mark Pruner, Marilyn Needham, and Iris Cochlan - and 3 College Republicans). All enjoyed themselves. Doug LaMalfa stopped by to visit the booth one afternoon.

58 Voter Registrations were taken and 10 Permanent Absentee Ballot applications were completed. Approximately 120 signatures were obtained for the Eminent Domain Ballot Initiative Petitions.

Great job once again to everyone who helped out.

Hey I know I am Republican and I am supposed to walk in lock step with all the other Rupert Murdoch, Rush Limbaugh and Halliburton controlled robots out there, but guess what, we all have our own opinions. Thats right, we don't always agree and we are far from being under anyone's control.

That brings me to the issue of Barack Obama's lapel pin, or lack there of.

Personally I don't care if he wears an American flag lapel pin or not. Senator Obama's anti war views are what matters to me, and what should matter to you.

If he came out wearing an Uncle Sam outfit, complete with top hat to the next Democratic debate, that would not change my opinion of him. If he wore Apollo Creed's red white and blue boxing trunks to the next anti war rally it doesn't change the fact that he wants a rapid retreat in the face of a very dangerous enemy.
Actually I find it refreshing to have someone tell us that a flag lapel pin doesn't make one patriotic. I agree, and I wear an American flag pin on my suit jacket.

It's something I wear as a show of support for my country. It's more for me than for anyone else. When I run into a liberal democrat wearing one, it doesn't make me me think, yea sure he's a closet socialist, but he has an American flag on his lapel, he must be ok right?

Now If Senator Obama shows up for the next democrat debate wearing Fidel's camouflage fatigues and sporting chairman Mao's cap with a red star, then I will have something to say about how the man dresses.

Now lets get on with some serious issues, Did you see LeBron wearing a Yankees cap to the Indians game? Whats he thinking?

What comes to your mind when you think of Republicans? Old, cranky guys complaining about the government, right? C'mon, you know you do.

Well, not so fast.

While I am on my way to being old and cranky, I'm not there just yet. I'm still middle aged and somewhat impatient, I'm not full blown cranky yet. As for the rest of the Yolo County Republicans, we have a group of young people who are fast becoming a force in our organization. The Davis College Republicans are a great resource, they walk precincts with us, they show up at out public function to help do some of the leg work, and they are upbeat and positive, even after finals.

They want to get involved and they don't mind a little hard work. It's great to have people with new ideas, who may have a different take on the popular culture, keeping our organization up to speed with the environment our younger members deal with day to day.

I'm glad to see that college Republicans have started their own blog. We hear the stories of the absolute intolerance they face every day at the colleges and universities in our nation, it's time they pulled out a pen and paper or a video recorder and showed the rest of the country what is going on in the hallowed halls of academia. Good for them.

I hope we have some of our DCR members in the booth at the Dynamite Chili Cook-off September 22 at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. Stop by and have some of Doug Young's famous salsa. He says he won't make it too hot this year.

I guess it worked for Arnold.

As the rest of the Presidential field, all 10 of them, debate tonight in Durham New Hampshire, Fred Thompson sits in the comfy chair next to Jay Leno to announce his candidacy for President.

While most of the punditry criticizes Thompson for skipping another debate, I am not not bothered in the least. The reason, no one is paying attention right now. Well, that excludes political junkies like you and me, but the average voter isn't paying attention until the calendar ends with an 8.

With the primary season moving up, I agree that the cycle will start sooner, but January is long way off.

If you want to handicap the race, follow the money. If Thompson fails to raise serious cash in the next two months, he will be slammed for waiting to long. If that happens, I will agree to a certain point that his timing played a role, but a candidate with a message can stand up to a good ground game. All the GOTV grassroots teams in Iowa will not get folks to vote for a candidate with a poor or unclear message. A good communicator with a clear message can move the polls in a hurry.

Fred may have a hard time living up to the expectations he has been saddled with, but that is where the rubber meets the road in politics.

The Republican primary season can now begin. Lets get rid of the second and third tier candidates and let the top 5 go at it hammer and tong.