GOP faithful flock to The Arena for Lincoln Banquet

The 73rd Annual Lincoln Day Banquet was held at The Arena.

Former Whitley County Superintendent Lonnie Anderson, John and Lorine Brock of Laurel County, Mary Singleton of McCreary County, James Phillips of Clay County, and Wayne Farris of Bell County were all inducted into the Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame.

The hall of fame was started in 1985 and honors outstanding Republican leaders who have contributed above and beyond the call of duty to the Republican Party, noted U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, who presided over the induction ceremony.

“I’m honored to be selected to join such an outstanding group of Republicans. All you have to do is look at that list to see what a legendary membership it is in the hall of fame,” Anderson said.

“I appreciate the many friends that I have in the Republican party. What a great job Hal Rogers and others do in leading our party. I look forward to being involved in the future.”

The Fifth District Lincoln Club was established in 1938, and is the oldest Lincoln Club in Kentucky.

During Saturday’s banquet, the crowd also heard from the three people seeking the Republican nomination in the upcoming May Primary, including: Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, and Senate President David Williams, who enjoyed a home court advantage of sorts.

In addition to representing Whitley County in the Kentucky Senate, the formal name of The Arena, is the David L. Williams Agriculture and Exposition Center.

Williams is widely considered the front runner in the race to face incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear in the November General Election.

Moffett, a Tea Party candidate, and Holsclaw spent much of their time at the microphone criticizing Williams, while Williams spent much of his time at the podium laying the blame on Beshear for much of the state’s problems.

Holsclaw said that she decided to run because the people of Kentucky and their children deserve better.

“Nobody is talking about important issues, like jobs,” she said. “It’s the same old thing. Steve Beshear blames David Williams. David Williams blames Steve Beshear. They’re acting like two boys, who need to grow up.”

Moffett, a Louisville telecommunications business owner, told the crowd that Williams and Beshear are both using short term approaches to solve the state’s long-term financial problems.

Moffett cited numerous statistics about the state’s indebtedness, talked about unfunded pension programs and mentioned a Forbes Magazine ranking that lists Kentucky as the worst run state in the country.

Williams defended his record as senate president, and his opposition to Beshear’s plan to transfer nearly $170 million in funds set aside for next fiscal year to pay for a gap in this year’s Medicaid budget.

Williams said he doesn’t believe that Beshear can make needed cuts and efficiencies in the program next year to make up the difference, and instead is proposing across-the-board spending cuts to all government programs in order to make up the difference.

Williams accused Beshear of being “asleep at the wheel” during his tenure as governor, and promised that he and running mate Richie Farmer would be back to the area after the May primary.

“We know where you live and we know who you are,” he added.

The keynote speaker was U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who serves as House Majority Whip and is the number three ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At the close of Saturday’s banquet, 2012 Lincoln Club Officers were also sworn in, including: President Gene Siler, President-Elect Chris Girdler, Secretary Allison Ball, Treasurer Nancy Mitchell and Sgt. at Arms Grayson Smith.

Corbin’s Nancy Jane Jackson sang the national anthem.