Bakersfield’s Republican elite gathered Feb. 21 in an evening of elegance to honor the legacy and accomplishments of 16th president Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was the first Republican president and is remembered across the country this time of year with numerous dinners and ceremonies, both from GOP organizations and otherwise.
Bakersfield’s dinner was unique in the fact that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and third in line for the presidency, Congressman Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), was the honored guest and keynote speaker.
The Doubletree Hotel at the junction of Highways 58 and 99 was the site of the event, and the lobby teamed with Bakersfield’s own flavor of black-tie dress code and cowboy boots replacing wingtips on some attendees.
Prior to the dinner was an exclusive reception, starting at 6 p.m. Hastert and Thomas were guests of honor, while other local GOP activists worked the crowd, getting to know area fundraisers and supporters.
Other noted attendees including California State Sen. Roy Ashburn, Bakersfield City Mayor Harvey Hall, County Supervisor Jon Mcquiston, Kern County Water District Supervisor Fred Starrh, and council members Zach Scrivner, Irma Carson, Mike Maggard, Jackie Sullivan, and Craig Rogel.
Law enforcement officials included District Attorney Ed Jagels, Magistrate Terry Goldner, County Sheriff Mack Whimbish, and Donny Youngblood, who is currently running against Whimbish for Sheriff.
Larry Starrh, a Shafter farmer and Republican activist, was emcee for the event, getting the dining hall laughing at his sarcastic jabs toward all things liberal.
Among his targets were the Bakersfield area Democrats, whom he thanked for “making it so easy to recruit Republicans” and the Bakersfield Californian, which he accused of not giving coverage to local Republican activities and prominence.
Hastert and Thomas spoke to the media before the dinner in a short question and answer session.
Most of the questions revolved around the recent port scandal involving the United Arab Emirates and their acquisition of the British company which used to operate the ports.
Hastert marked his opposition to President Bush’s authorization of the buyout. He noted that the cause for his dissent lies with the fact that it was a foreign government which was going to be operating these key national interests. He stated that the fact that it was an Arab state was a non-issue.
In his later speech in front of the diners, he noted his occasional disagreements with the President, but overall praised Bush for his strong will and solid leadership, comparing him to Republican heroes Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.
Much of the Speaker’s speech had to do with President Lincoln, segueing into a story about how Lincoln was born in what is now Hastert’s district in the state of Illinois. The Congressman regaled the crowd with his nonchalant style and entertaining anecdotes, including one where he referred back to his days as a high school wrestling coach and he doubled as a bus driver. He compared running the House of Representatives like driving that cumbersome bus full of mischievous teenagers; trying to keep it on the road while at the same time keeping an eye on the rear facing mirror, which he used to guard his back from the troublemakers.
Hastert spoke to a packed house, with over 600 attendees paying at least $75 for the dinner. 400 of those tickets were $150 and they allowed the holders to attend the reception and meet the Speaker and Thomas. Other fundraising activities were allowed during the function, including a silent auction by the Bakersfield Young Republicans and a raffle by the Bakersfield Republican Women’s Federated.