1000 x 90

Speakers at Watauga GOP Headquarters’ Grand Opening: ‘This is the Most Important Election in Our Lifetime’

Local Republican leaders participate in the Watauga GOP Headquarters Ribbon Cutting on Saturday. From left, Watauga County Register of Deeds JoAnn Townsend, school board candidate Ron Henries, state Rep. Jonathan Jordan, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, 6-year-old Landon Jordan, school board candidate Fred Oliver, county commissioner candidates Tommy Adams and Perry Yates. Photo by Jesse Wood

By Jesse Wood

Former N.C. GOP Chairman Jim Hastings. Photo by Jesse Wood

Aug. 25, 2012. “This is the most important election in our lifetime.”

That was a recurring phrase mentioned by speakers at the grand opening of the Watauga County Republican Party headquarters at Shops at Shadowline, where dozens of supporters attended to hear numerous candidates speak on Saturday.  

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx was the keynote speaker for the event while former N.C. GOP Chairman Jim Hastings was the emcee.

Others who spoke briefly were County Commissioner David Blust and candidates Perry Yates and Tommy Adams; Register of Deeds JoAnn Townsend; candidates for Board of Education Ron Henries and Dr. Fred Oliver; Rep. Jonathan Jordan; Rick Woods, local delegate selected to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week; and County Republican Chairman Matt Snyder.

Hastings started the event with the aforementioned phrase, adding: “Even though Democrats were at the top of ticket [in my earlier years], I never felt in my lifetime that they didn’t have our country’s interests at heart – even though they were different from me politically.”

“But, the man who is in there now, I am convinced, could care less about our country and the values we have and what we stand for,” Hastings said.

Foxx warned those in attendance not to become complacent this fall. Foxx said some people have told her that they can’t imagine President Barrack Obama winning a second term in office.

“Imagine it,” Foxx said. “If we get complacent he will win a second term, and that will destroy this country. We will no longer have the country that we have grown to know and love and respect.”

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx – Photo by Jesse Wood

She said the coming months ahead will be challenging and if Obama wins a second term then those in attendance will have to examine their actions.

“I am not kidding you. It’s the most important election of our lifetime,” Foxx said. “If you wake up on November 7 and Romney and Ryan are not our president and vice president, you will have to examine your conscience. What could I have done?”

Mostly, Foxx spoke about the presidential race and said she was so excited about this ticket – especially Ryan’s half – that she was nearly speechless.

She mentioned that Ryan’ office is two doors down from hers in the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C., adding that she told Ryan that is “her claim to fame.”

 

“I absolutely adore the man,” Foxx said. “His philosophy flows through his veins. He knows the numbers. Nobody has to explain things to Ryan. He’s smart as a whip. Humble as can be. He’s exactly the kind of person we should have in public office – exactly. Why? He doesn’t hunger for power. He hungers to serve. So does Mitt Romney.”

While everyone present seemed to agree that this year’s presidential race is the most important of their lifetimes, Foxx and Jordan spoke about the re-election campaign of N.C. Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby.

Jordan stumped for Newby with the catch phrase “Scooby Dooby Vote for Newby” and talked about the dire consequences of Newby losing.

The crowd at the Grand Opening ten minutes before the guest speakers talked. Photo by Jesse Wood

“This race,” Jordan said, “decides if [the N.C. Supreme Court] remains conservative 4-3 or liberal at 3-4.”

And Foxx went as far as to say this was the most important race in North Carolina this fall – one that the Democrats, she said, are “putting all their energy into.” 

“I do not think I am exaggerating that this is the most important election in North Carolina this fall,” Foxx said. “If they take over the [N.C.] Supreme Court, they will undo everything we’ve done in the last two years by a great conservative General Assembly.”

The Watauaga County Republican Party headquarters is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, click to www.wataugarepublicans.com or call 828-355-9708.