Nov. 13, 2007 — Two candidates, challenging Rep. John Doolittle for his congressional seat representing the Second District, along with the state chair of the Republican Party and field representatives for Sen. Dave Cox and Assemblyman Rick Keene, addressed a standing-room-only crowd last Wednesday at the Beckwith Tavern restaurant near Portola. The Republican Central Committee in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra and Modoc counties jointly sponsored the dinner meeting. In her welcoming remarks, Leah West, co-chair of the Plumas Central Committee, noted that with nearly 100 in attendance, this was the largest gathering of this kind for local Republicans that she and other party faithful have seen in years.

Rocky Deal, chairman of Lassen County’s Central Committee, served as moderator for the evening. He allowed each candidate and staff representative five minutes to address the audience before moving on to the keynote speaker Ron Nehring, chair of California’s Republican Party.

Mike Holmes’ campaign for Doolittle’s seat centers around having a strong national defense, balanced budget and a competitive free-enterprise system. He told the crowd that with his background, he is the most qualified for the office. He said he will protect private property rights and will do his best to eliminate or dramatically change the eminent domain laws while voting against any new taxes. Holmes lives in Auburn where he served on the city council.

Roseville resident Eric Egland, a strong supporter of Doolittle’s 2006 re-election campaign, has since changed his mind about the congressman. Describing himself as an “ethical” conservative, he said he is pro business and commented that because of business creating jobs and raising capital, we have the best military in the world. He added that he believes our efforts in Iraq are working and walking away from it at this time would be wrong.

Plumas County Supervisor Rose Comstock spoke briefly on behalf of Rep. Doolittle. She said she got to know the congressman during her travels to Washington, D.C., both as a supervisor and through her efforts with Women in Timber. Comstock said Doolittle works diligently and effectively for the rural counties he represents. She added that she has seen firsthand how he deals with tough issues. She also credited Doolittle for providing millions in funding for schools and transportation. Comstock said she firmly stands by the congressman, closing her remarks with “we need him in office.”

Since taking the state’s top Republican party post last June, Nehring has been given credit for helping unify what many believe had become a badly divided party.

Getting people to vote is one of the keys to the GOP’s grassroots efforts, he said. Nehring emphasized that point when he explained that voters don’t determine the outcome of an election — voters that cast ballots determine the outcome of the election.

He finished the evening’s program by reminding the crowd of the importance of advancing GOP ideas and finding qualified Republican candidates for every election, whether it’s a school or hospital board or the city council.

“The world is run by people who show up,” he said. Nehring said the GOP has to work hard to once again get people excited about the party’s core values. “We need to make sure the only way Hillary (Clinton) gets into the White House is with a visitor’s pass.”