Conservative Culture

Many of the candidates and/or their staffers were present at the Lincoln-Hayes Dinner at Bowling Green. It was a great opportunity to talk to many of them. For those wishing for photo opportunities with Karl Rove would be disappointed as he left prior to the meal for another engagement.

The person most glaringly missing was Attorney Jim Petro who is running for the Governor’s spot (if you didn’t already know that). What was most striking on the stage was Blackwell and Montgomery separated by Bennett. I would have been more striking if Petro was where Montgomery was. For whatever reason that didn’t happen though it appears that Petro was going to be there from an article concerning Sam Hornish Jr.

What wasn’t so obvious was Montgomery was introduced as an office holder. It was added that she was a candidate for Ohio State Attorney General. State Senator Grendell, also a candidate was not announced. At some point Blackwell got up and left and returned. It appears that an attempt was made to have Grendell announced but that didn’t happen. Probably didn’t happen because the County Chairman wouldn’t with Bennett in attendance. It is no secret that Grendell ran unopposed until Bennett worked his magic and put Grendell in a very bad spot. The snub simply raised my irritation level because Grendell and his wife are very fine people, good conservatives and he knows how to run an excellent office.

Here is a picture of them greeting and passing out their material. State Sen. Grendell has my support and vote. If you have ever met the Senator you will know that he is “head and shoulders” above all the other candidates.

It was an opportunity to see Karl Rove in person. There were 660 for the Lincoln-Hayes Dinner to hear Karl Rove as the main speaker. Only if there was a way to have blogged it live.

One of the stars to show up was Sam Hornish Jr. (2 time Indycar champion) was a guest of Congressman Paul Gilmore. Along with him were the some of the main players running for offices in Ohio. Bob Bennett, Ohio GOP chairman, was also there sitting between Blackwell and Montgomery.

There were several articles on this event. The Cleveland “not so” Plain Dealer skewed the take on Rove’s speech. (Others articles here and here.)

He wound up speaking about “the big three” topics that concern the nation: the economy, national security and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He had some obligatory comments to make but the content of the big 3 was not off the cuff. He was intentional on speaking about the 3 main topics which will dominate the election coming up and including 2008. Something of interest to Ohio Supreme Court Candidate Bob Cupp (he will make a great Justice on the Court) who made some comments prior to Rove. In fact I learned that Rove was responsible for the Honorable Cupp meeting his wife to be. Quite a human interest story and something I had not heard before.

The message was clear, even tempered and a dash of good natured humor made it a good speech to listen to after prior to the dinner. Later Paul Gilmore spoke as did Senator DeWine.

If you have a chance to hear Karl Rove in person I would encourage you to take the time and go.