Lincoln Day Dinner 2012: "This Is Our Time"

The Grays Harbor Republican Party's 2012 Lincoln Day Dinner drew enthusiastic responses from a capacity crowd at the Aberdeen Museum on February 18. Playing off a pivotal scene from the movie Miracle in which Kurt Russell plays 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey Coach Herb Brooks, the evening's theme was This Is Our Time.



Special guests included Kim Wyman, candidate for Washington Secretary of State, State Senator and U.S. Senate Candidate Michael Baumgartner, Rick Winsman, candidate for State Sentate in the 19th District, Jesse Young, candidate for Congress in the 6th District, and Fredi Simpson, WSRP National Committeewoman. County Commissioner Herb Welch was also featured.

Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman emphasized her credentials as a solid Republican, noting that she is "the only elected Republican elected in Thurston County, so I feel your pain." Wyman attributed her success to running her office in a non-partisan manner.


State Senator Michael Baumgarter of Spokane keynoted, contrasting his vast experience in business, economics and foreign policy with incumbent's Maria Cantwell dearth of the same and her weak record. A room full of people on their feet resulted when Baumgartner asked those to stand who were willing to get involved in at least one campaign.

Elma resident and Republican PCO Wes Cormier announced his plans to challenge incumbent Terry Willis for County Commissioner. A longtime resident of Grays Harbor, Cormier, 33, is a senior residential assessor in the Assessor's Office. He is also the county coordinator for the Ron Paul campaign.

Five Eagle Volunteer Awardees were also recognized at the dinner: Christine Yeager, Mark Paulsen, Dennis Brumbaugh, Jonathan Gerber and Ken Estes. Honoring "the very best Republican Party volunteers," the Eagle Volunteer Recognition Program was launched by WSRP National Committeeeman Jeff Kent and National Committeewoman Fredi Simpson and is backed by RNC Chair Reince Preibus.

Outstanding service for a PCO who has gone "above and beyond the call of duty over and over again" went to Terry Moore, who was voted PCO of the Year by his fellow PCOs. A resident of Copalis Beach, Moore chairs the GHRP Candidates and Issues Committee and the Grays Harbor for Jesse Young Campaign.

The evening included a rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Maggie Vincent and a performance by the Lighthouse Ballet Academy.

For those who missed the Herb Brooks "This Is (Y)Our Time" pre-game pep talk just before his team takes to the ice against the Soviets, here's a link to the clip: This is Your Time.


To paraphrase Herb: "We're sick and tired of hearing about what a great political machine Democrats have and how Washington is the 'ever-blue' state. Their time is done. It's over. This election season, Republicans are the greatest party in the world. This is our time. Now go out there and take it!"