Jackson, politicians rally GOP faithful on Lincoln Day

Annual dinner focuses on victories in 2016

Keynote speaker, national radio show host and author Kevin Jackson speaks to an attentive crowd during Monday evening's Cole County Lincoln Days event hosted by the Cole County Republican Central Committee at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
Keynote speaker, national radio show host and author Kevin Jackson speaks to an attentive crowd during Monday evening's Cole County Lincoln Days event hosted by the Cole County Republican Central Committee at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

Cole County Republicans used President's Day to celebrate past victories and drummed up financial and ideological support for electoral battles yet to be fought.

The Cole County Republican Central Committee and its supporters gathered Monday night in Jefferson City at the Capitol Plaza Hotel for the Lincoln Day Dinner, an evening of fundraising, speeches and time with friends and colleagues.

Sen. Roy Blunt, state auditor and gubernatorial candidate Tom Schweich, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer and gubernatorial candidate Catherine Hanaway were among the leading Republicans present. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was scheduled to speak as well but was unable to attend after winter weather kept him in Cape Girardeau.

Beginning with keynote speaker Kevin Jackson, a Texas-born management consultant turned nationally known conservative speaker and writer, the themes of the evening's speeches were heavy criticism of Democrats and liberals, pride in Republican identity and values and hope for major victories in the 2016 election.

Jackson heavily criticized President Obama, the Democratic Party and liberalism more generally. He called what he perceived as political correctness, liberal culture and multi-culturalism threats to America, ripped Howard Dean's criticism of Scott Walker and verbally jabbed at Michael Brown, Al Sharpton and Michael Moore.

Jackson said he is "proud to be a Republican" and "couldn't be more proud" of Missouri and national Republican candidates.

He called upon those in attendance to not let "the disease of liberalism" spread to Jefferson City and Missouri state government. Jackson received a standing ovation from the audience.

Sen. Blunt followed Jackson with a speech criticizing Obama's immigration policies and foreign policies, particularly regarding ISIS. He stressed the importance of a Republican successor to Obama.

"We have an unbelievable opportunity in the next election to show what we stand for, versus what they [Democrats or liberals] stand for," Blunt said.

"What we stand for is what the American people want."

Schweich followed with a campaign speech, calling it "time to take the governor's mansion back."

Luetkemeyer echoed criticism of Obama and called the 2016 election the "most important election in our lifetimes." Luetkemeyer laid out a general strategy of courting millennial voters (those under age 32) to divide the Democratic voters.

The crowd of about 175 enjoyed dinner and drinks at their tables of eight, while having an opportunity to view auction items for sale.

The auction held before the speeches of the evening raised $4,255, not including separate raffles for a gun and four basketball tickets and a parking pass for the upcoming MU versus Auburn game.

Items at auction included sports memorabilia, framed paintings and photographs, quilts, two homemade chocolate Kentucky Derby pies, a dozen pints of ice cream, four St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds baseball tickets, a dinner for four with Senator Mike Kehoe and a dinner for six at Ms. Kitty's Place in St. Elizabeth.

A private reception with Jackson preceded dinner. According to Cole County Republican Central Committee's social media, proceeds "advance Republican candidates in Cole County and promote interest in Republican beliefs."