In early February, I received an E-mail telling me that a Mr.Karl Rove would be speaking at a Republican fund raising dinner. Some of our local Republican representatives, including Senator Gordon Smith and Congressman Greg Walden, would also be attending.
My curiosity was peaked! What would they discuss? Would they sacrifice a liberal and then propose a toast to George W. with a glass of blood? I had to know. After some deliberation, it was decided that I would go to the "ORP Lincoln Day Dinner" and see what no other liberals are willing to sit through.
There were some initial hurdles to clear. Another member of Salvation Inc. called on my behalf to reserve a seat at the dinner. She was met with some resistance in the form of a series of questions. This was to be expected. They would delay giving me confirmation of seating until only a day before the event, when I finally spoke to a woman named Shelley Ashenfelter who investigated me personally. We had a short discussion and she indirectly asked if I would be attending only to protest the event. I assured her that my intentions were to hear Mr. Rove speak and to learn more about the Republican Party. This seemed to pacify her inquiry. She took my credit card information and thanked me for attending.
The next day came and went and I became increasingly nervous. What had I done? Surely they would sense my socialist tendencies in the inexpensive rags I use as attire. Perhaps they would even have a secret hand shake or a secret password like "fiscal" or "Reaganomics". I had to persevere. This was going to be like an executive boardroom and if I wasn't calm, they would smell the fear and shred me like an Enron accounting document. I had to be careful and bring back the Republican Party secrets.
Thursday, March 11th, I awoke with purpose and left for work. I spoke to a few people at work about the event. They seemed to enjoy the idea of me paying the $50 toll to gain entry and were not so surprised to hear that some people would be paying a $5000 entry fee. These extremely generous $5000 guests would be allowed the privilege of attending the very special "Roundtable and Photo Reception". After pondering with my fellow workers about Peking duck, roast beef or what exactly "the dinner" would consist of, I left early from work to find a suitable necktie. I made a stop at a local thriftstore and bought a red tie, before making my way towards Tigard, OR.
The Embassy Suites of Tigard (one person, one night= $99) would be hosting the event. I arrived at the "Lincoln Day Dinner" awkard and early. I followed an older gentleman into the building, who was dressed in the fashion I am accustom to seeing businessmen and Republicans. Upon his entry, he was greeted by women in business suits and was taken to a table filled with name tags. One of the women asked his name and gave him the coinciding tag. She also told him that if he had not purchased a "Roundtable Ticket" he was far too early and that the dinner would not be starting for another 30 minutes. After hearing this I took time to walk around the hotel and listen in on discussions taking place outside the "Roundtable Reception". I would find no hint then, or during the rest of the evening, as to what would be discussed in this $5000 a head meeting. I eventually became bored and went to the young business suit clad women running the name tag table. I was ignored for some time, thinking that it had something to do with my age. This was not the case. When I finally asked for my name tag, there was a moment of disbelief on the woman's face, as if it couldn't be possible that I was attending. She gave me my tag and I asked which room the dinner would be held in. A younger man (I say younger because he was probably in his 30's) gave me a blue, sparkled program with a silver bow. I asked him if I was too early to be seated. He pointed the way in an uncomfortable manner. I thanked him and entered the large banquet hall.
The hall was empty of people, with the exception of a group of young women who would be seating the guests. I asked one of the women which table I would be sitting at. She checked her list for my name and showed me to my table. For some time I sat and observed. The coffee cups were filled with over flowing red or blue napkins, which littered the tables with patriotism. There were 24 tables that sat 10 people each. This wasn't a one or even two fork affair. These affluent high-rollers would be needing a third fork. In the middle of the tables were cards signifying if it was a sponsored table, as mine was. Toward the middle of the room was a podium with the simple, but ominous crest of the Oregon Republican Party. A navy blue curtain was used as a backdrop along with Old Glory and the Oregon State flag. To the right of the speaking area was an 8'x10' projection screen that would surely be used to influence and impare judgement. Even further to the right of the screen was a full bar that would be used in a similar manner. Directly behind my seat was a small press area. It was raised and roped off and appeared to invite journalists.
Slowly the Republicans I would be pretending to agree with, made their way into the room. I could overhear only broken fragments of conversations like "I bought one of those at a gun show" or "I think the school district should tighten its belt". I could hear one of the reporters behind me mocking Ted Kulongowski for a recent press conference inadequacy. The servers began to put out some of the meal including a delicious looking cheesecake and huge silver tubs filled with what looked to be ranch dressing. I wondered if these Hispanic, black or just plain poor servers were Republicans.
I was alone at my table for some time and a woman put out a volunteer sign up sheet (pictured above) on each of the place settings. After a brief once over of the sheet, I realized what a valuable asset one or all of these coalitions would be to the Bush/Cheney '04 campaign. Since there is not a true diversity within the Republican Party, at least they could then make it appear to have backing from Arab Americans, Labor or any group that usaully finds Republican policy unjust and discriminatory.
I was joined by a young woman, who sat next to me. We exchanged pleasantries and I asked her if she knew what was on the menu for the dinner. She didn't know, but her guess was roast beef. I told her that I was a vegan and we talked about what I could eat. She asked me who I was and I told her "Frank" and that I was with a christian website called "Salvationinc.org". She wrote down the site and said she would check it out. As we spoke more, the table filled in. Each of the people at my table shook my hand or introduced themselves and were very cordial to me. Bob Avery (chairman of the Republican Party of Lane County) and his wife Nina soon joined the table, as well as Ed Morrison. After examining the Bush volunteer list, Mr. Morrison posed the question "What about country club members?" then chuckled at his own joke. Across the table from me sat Jim Feldkamp. He is running for congressman in Oregon's Fourth Congressional District. Mr. Feldkamp was once in the Navy and when asked what his duties included, stated an odd acronym for his position and that he worked selling weapons. Like Mr. Morrison, Jim was also a comedian and joked about taking political bribes with others at the table.
I looked around the room as the rich men and women shook hands and conversed. They weren't just comfortable with one another; most of these people were friends or did business together. Everyone at my table had met previously. This crowd was filled with Oregon representatives, their wives and business partners. This made me very different from them. I had no connection to anyone there. I finally realized how very out of place I was and that everyone there knew that I was as well.
Soon, the dinner was served to the guests. First, a salad and rolls. Then, as everyone ate, the event started. We were welcomed by Linda Flores, State Representative and ORP Vice Chairwoman. She introduced Donna Cain (ORP Secretary) who said the Pledge of Allegiance. The crowd stood at attention with hands over hearts in a scene that I can only describe as mesmerism. Later, former Miss America 2002, Katie Harman, sang "God Bless America" to a captivated audience.
Then, the moment I had waited for came: the "D" in dinner. Our table was served the main course. It was only chicken. I couldn't believe it! A skinless, boneless chicken breast with rice and vegetables. That's what $50 will get you. I asked the other members of my table if they would like my plate and that I was a vegan and wouldn't be eating. They looked at me with intrigue and politely declined. A Mr. Hall Reed did decide to eat my cheesecake.
June Hartley introduced a video presentation from George W. Bush. As I watched the video, I wondered why he didn't spare the party members these images of patriotism and words of deception. These people already supported him and his policy. Then it became clear that the video was only a presentation of the manner and tactics in which Mr. Bush would be trying to deceive the general public. The party members, I am sure, were happy with this video. It was comprised of hiding behind the flag, lies of a never-ending economic boom, and preying on citizens' fear of terror. These things empowered the audience, while reassuring them of their own flawless policy and decisions. It was very similar to a T.V. advertisement, but longer.
ORP Chairman, Kevin Mannix, took the stage to introduce the featured speaker: Karl Rove. Mr. Mannix spoke to his friends that evening with confidence in the future of the Republican Party. He spoke of the President, as a man sure of his cause and poised to serve another term in office. He assured us that "The President is protecting America's interests." He said these words as though they were meant only for the "American interests" in that very room. He eventually ran out of kudos for the President and called upon the keynote speaker to take the stage.
Finally, Mr. Karl Rove stood behind the podium to speak. He spoke of the President as a personal friend of many years. He spoke of the President with personal kindness and called him "a genius". Shedding light on the "day to day" activities of the Commander and Chief, he told a tale of George waking up at 5:00 a.m. and reading 70 to 80 pages of agenda before starting his day. He spoke of a conversation with the President that he had that morning before leaving the White House. In that conversation, George asked Karl to send a message to the people at the dinner: "Ask them to get those 6700 votes I lost by in 2000, and win Oregon in 2004."
Posted by frank at April 12, 2004 02:54 PM