From Staff Reports

Spirits were high among the 200 attendees of the Lincoln-Reagan 2013 Victory Celebration Dinner April 6 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in West Asheville.

The crowd was welcomed by Buncombe County GOP Chairman Henry Mitchell, who expressed his gratitude to all who helped organize the night’s event as well as those in general who have supported the BCGOP.

Mitchell thanked the Young Republicans chapter for the hosting the reception that preceded the dinner.

He also named the many other BCGOP affiliates, noting there is even a Teenage Republican Club, “so there’s a club for everybody, no matter what age. (The crowd laughed.)

Mitchell then noted that Republicans locally and statewide have “had a very successful year, taking the governorship as well as both houses of the state General Assembly for the first time in 140 years.”

 Also, he said for the first time in 20 years, three Republicans have been elected to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “And we really should have had four” seats, he said alluding in the contested recount by Fairview Republican Christina Merrill, who turned over the seat to Black Mountain’s Ellen Frost.

“Next, Nathan Ramsey’s still on the farm, evidently. So I’m going to introduce to you his wife Robin, who’s really the backbone” of Nathan’s campaign. It later was announced that Ramsey would show up soon — “he’s busy delivering a calf.”

In continuing his introductions of VIPs, Mitchell noted that among those present are Rep. Tim Moffit, state Sen. Tom Apodaca, Buncombe County commissioners David King and Joe Belcher and Woodfin Mayor Jerry Vehaun, among others.

 Mitchell added, “At this time, I’d like to introduce a good personal friend of mine… Congressman Mark Meadows.

“Tom was unbelievably nice to me tonight,” Meadows joked. “To the media in the room, this is off the record…. Tate Apodaca, obviously the better part of the Apodaca family, works for me.

“Tate said when I arrested Tom for speeding, he had someone tied up in the back of the truck with rope. Sure enough, as a bail bondsman,…

Meadows added, “I just wanted to say think you so much. In this room, there’s so many of you who worked so very hard (to help us get elected). They told me how bad it’s going to be in Washington, D.C. I’m here to tell you it’s really not that bad. It’s 10 times worse. We really need to reclaim America.

“As I’ve visited across the district in the past week, I’ve got great hope….

“It’s time we start doing business in Washington as they do on Main Street. It’s time to do business by the same standards.

Further, Meadows asserted, “We also have a number of problems. Recently, you’ve probably started to read about our veterans for disability claims. It’s now up to 600 days. We need to address that right away. And I’m committed to do that.

“Yet, we sit here and we see an issue that’s truly near and dear to our hearts — our veterans who truly honored our flag. … (Some people said) there’s a couple of good things about Obamacare,” one of which was covering pre-existing conditions….

“We’re nearing running out of money for covering pre-existing conditions.

“The second thing is a little more problematic,” Meadows said. “Surprise, surprise, the administration isn’t ready to implement Obamacare. Of course, we’d prefer that they never implemented it.

“There’s only going to be one option for you to select. We need to be sure that we don’t drive physicians out of business.

“I want to close with this,” Meadows said. “When we’re up there. … We want to hear from you in both the good and the bad. When we think of efficiency, it’s not the government that we think of. To continue to give money to someone who is not efficient is (foolhardy).  

The next speaker, Apodaca, said, “Mark, the reason I’m being nice to you is because you hired my son.”

Rep. Patrick McHenry missed the meeting, but he said an assistant to extend his regards. “He hates that he can’t be here. We got a strong 33 percent in Buncombe County last year. But we cherish that 33 percent.” There were precincts where our opponent got 1,000 votes and we got 60. We’ve got an office here in Buncombe in Black Mountain, so we’ve got a full-time presence in Buncombe County.”

Apodaco spoke next, noting, “Tell Patrick (McHenry) not to feel badly. My first election, I got 12 votes from downtown Asheville (The crowd laughed at Apodaca’s joke.)

Also speaking was Justice Mark Martin, who noted that “I serve on your Supreme Court. The day that I forget that — I need to get out of Raleigh and get off that court. You don’t see much of us because we run only every eight years.

“I just celebrated my 20th year as a judge and yes, I started at age 12. I have many ties to Western North Carolina. My Dad taught at WCU. My wife is from Sylva. And I currently live in Raleigh. That’s because that’s where my job is. I’m only one of seven justices who has ties to WNC.

“The reason I’m running for chief justice is … judges should not legislate from the bench. … A quick civics lesson. How often do legislators run? Every two years. How often do executive branch officials run for office? Every four years. Now here’s the tough question, for members of Supreme Court, court of appears, etc?

Few in the crowd guessed that the answer was eight years.

“Think about this: There are seven members on the (state) Supreme Court,” Martin said. “In 2014, we will elect four out of seven justices to the state Supreme Court. Think about this. The four people who we elect, which will be the majority of the court…. these four people will serve till 2022. They’ll decided how every case ends up in this state.

“The final legality of those measures will be assessed in the Supreme Court of North Carolina. So, my friends, these elections are very important in electing four outstanding candidates to the (state) supreme court. Also, I’d appreciate your support for chief justice of the Supreme Court.”

Following the meal and a raffle,

After the meal and a raffle, Apodaca said,  “The next speaker is a good friend. He gives some headaches... ladies and gentlemen, Tim Moffitt.”

Moffitt smiled and said, “It’s great to see a roomful of people who are Moffitt supporters. For the record, this is the first night that I was bought and sold as a politician. Probably be the last night. Karen Winter has worked tirelessly so I can continue to keep Sen. Apodaca busy

“For those of you who are familiar with Raleifh, there’s a mall there called Crabtree Mall. … Someone was awed that a couple of legislators were in their store. He asked is there specialized training (to be a legislator) I said, ‘Have you looked at who’s in the White House.” The crowd laughed at his joke.

Poking fun at himself, Moffitt said, “When you mention my name in the City of Asheville, throngs (of protesters) amass.

Moffitt then noted that “I was recognized as the No. 2 leading fundraiser, following only House Speaker Tom Tillis. I also found out that I’m the leading fundraiser for (Asheville Councilman) Cecil Bothwell.”

Bothwell, according to Moffitt, said, “Tim Moffitt is my No. 1 target to get out of office... Every week for my comedic relieft, I turn on the Asheville City Council meeting — and Cecil Bothwell is the star... And I’d like to keep him right there on City Council.”

What’s more, Moffitt said, “I recently filed HB 488” in a move that would transfer ownership of the Asheville water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. “According to the city of Asheville, I’m an SOB for doing that. But in the spirit of Larry the Cable Guy, ‘I’m going to get her done.’”

Sharing some thoughts on being in Raleigh. he told a cautionary tale “that absolute power corrupts absolutely. For the first time (in recent memory), we (the GOP) have both houses.”

Moffitt added, “Last time, I saw there was a lot of collegiality … When not being in power for 140 years, the honey-do list is immense.  … Gov. (Pat) McCrory has pulled back the curtains and the amount of work that needs to be done is daunting.

“Recently, I was talking with a liberal college of mine… (He noted that) this is the first time the Republicans have controlled all three ... of the state (in 140 years).

“I said let us be in charge for the next 140 years…. If for some reason you’ve slipped through the gates, we can compare the two and make an informed decision. That would be fair. The crowd laughed.

“In closing, it’s an honor to serve,” Moffitt said. “The first time I was elected was one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had. The second time, even more so.

Moffitt said it was an honor to be included in a lineup with Mark Meadows, Mark Martin and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. 

“What’s closest to my heart, though, is to be up here with Sen. Tom Apodaca, who is rules chairman. The rules chair -— no disrespect to head of the Senate, Dan Forrest — Sen. Tom Apodaca, is the one who decides whether a bill is heard.

“Well, currently I have 10 bills in the Senate, and I just want Tom to know, he’s my hero.  I love you, Tom. “It’s sort of a man crush. You’re my hero and If I were younger, you’d be my superhero.

Apodaca quipped, “I was just sitting there and I’m glad the marriage amendment didn’t pass.”

Keynote speaker Dan Forest said, said, “As Tim Moffitt said, I basically don’t have any power. I’m like a kindergarten teacher. It’s been great getting to know the representatives and senators. The folks who are here are doing a fantastic job for you.

He then read the following quotation from Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction…. The only way we could… We may well spend our sunset years telling what it was like when men were free.”

Forrest said, “That’s what keeps us free. If we stop telling the lessons… Our country still stands in perilous times. But we can still save America.

“We’re told Republicans need to move to the left or to the middle if we want to make everything alright. But not here in North Carolina. … We still know how to elect a governor in North Carolina.

“We know government is best that governs least. We know that America is an exception nation The best that’s ever existed. … We know as Republicans it’s time in America to say no to political correctness.

“The reason I’m standing in front of you as, really, only the second elected Republican lieutenant governor in the history of North Carolina... We’re out here because we know the grassroots are important,” Forrest said. “Our Constitution is unique because it starts with ‘We the people’ and not ‘We the government.’”