Lincoln Day Dinner of the
Republican Party of Sarasota County
Friday evening, January 25, 2008, close to six hundred Sarasota area Republicans came together to celebrate our Republican history and welcome GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, our keynote speaker. Rudy was introduced by Florida's Attorney General Bill McCollum, the Florida chairman of Rudy Giuliani's campaign. Rudy's message was about his successes as mayor of New York City of greatly reducing crime, taxes, and unemployment as well as his management of the city’s 9/11 response which demonstrate that he is best prepared to be our GOP nominee for president. A surprise guest speaker was movie star Jon Voight who spoke on his reflections of the decline of New York City, and its re-birth due to Mayor Rudy Giuliani's eight years in office.
Rudy Giuliani Movie star Jon Voight
Our Congressman Vern Buchanan provided us with his report from Washington, and Florida Senator Mike Bennett gave a report of political events in Tallahassee. Washington political strategist and former Republican Congressman Bill Paxon described the special role of Florida in the 2008 presidential election, perhaps narrowing the race to two GOP candidates.
The Republican Party of Sarasota County’s volunteers of the year award for 2008 was presented to Frances and Peter Rice. Lyn Purmort helped open the dinner by leading us in singing the Star Spangled Banner and close the dinner with the singing of God Bless America.
The dinner chairpersons were Lorraine and the Honorable Michael Grant (Florida Representative and candidate for Florida Senate). The executive committee were Nancy Mihm and Bob Waechter with much assistance from Kelly Erwin, Christine Robinson and supported by a strong cadre of Sarasota County Republican volunteers.
Peter & Frances Rice with Chairman Eric Robinson
2008 Lincoln Day Dinner pictures, please click here
2008 Election pictures, please click here
Note: The 2007 Lincoln Day Dinner keynote speaker was Gov. Mitt Romney. Lincoln Day dinners are fund raising events for the Republican Party of Sarasota County.
