Six honored at GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Banquent in Corbin

Bob and Nancy Mithcell, both of Corbin, were honored for their service to the 5th District Republican Part at the 74th annual Lincoln Day Banquent, held at the Corbin Center for Technology and Community Activities last Saturday.

Hundreds of GOP faithful gathered in Corbin Saturday night to honor six area residents, who have made significant contributions to the Republican party and to energize the Republican base for the upcoming presidential election this fall.

The 74th Annual Fifth District Lincoln Day Banquet was held at the Corbin Technology Center.

Bob and Nancy Mitchell of Corbin were two of the six inductees into the Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame Saturday.

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.
Bob Mitchell serves as Rogers district director and right hand man.

"I get credit for a lot of things Bob Mitchell did and Nancy Mitchell," Rogers said. "They are always humble and always wanting to say thank you. They are always there to do what has to be done."

Rogers noted that the day he met Bob Mitchell was the luckiest day of his life. After looking over at his wife, Rogers quickly changed that to the second luckiest day of his life. This was followed by loud laughter from the crowd.

"I’ve said this many, many times and I mean it. There is no better political operative in this state than Bob Mitchell," Rogers added.

The other hall of fame inductees included: Jean Dorton of Johnson County; Rep. Danny Ford of Rockcastle County; Senator

Robert Stivers of Clay County; and Donnie Girdler of Pulaski County, who was honored posthumously.

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

Rogers and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, who serves as senate minority leader, were the keynote speakers for the event.

"We are gathered here tonight to talk about the most important thing going on in America this year and that is to retire this president once and for all," McConnell said to a roaring round of applause.

He said President Barack Obama’s strategy for re-election can be boiled down "it’s not my fault."

McConnell noted that Obama has cited many culprits getting in his way ranging from the tsunami in Japan and the European debt crisis to the "nasty Republicans in Congress," rich people and now the United States Supreme Court.

"Why is he running a campaign based on a theme of ‘it is not fault?’ I’ll tell you why. The last thing he wants to talk about is his record," McConnell added. "When you’re running for re-election as an incumbent, your performance is not irrelevant."
He said the Republican theme should be "Mr. President, you inherited a difficult situation, but you made it worse."

In welcoming the crowd at the start of Saturday’s dinner, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. also noted the importance of the upcoming election.

"What are we here to do? We are here to organize and get a new president," White said. "Our new presidents needs to understand work ethic, business, how over regulations is destroying jobs, and how to do something about unemployment other than just sit back and wait to take credit after the problem solves itself.

"More importantly to our area, he needs to understand the value of coal both to our community and this nation."

At the close of Saturday’s banquet, 2013 Lincoln Club Officers were also sworn in, including: President Chris Girdler, President-Elect Allison Ball, Secretary Andrea Begley, Treasurer Nancy Mitchell and Sgt. at Arms Judge Albey Brock.