By Mark Archibald — Corsicana Daily Sun
March 5, 2019
Karl Rove answers questions from emcee Mark Davis
Karl Rove, the longtime Texas political stalwart, Republican strategist, and senior adviser to former President George W. Bush, was the keynote speaker at the 2019 Navarro County Republican Reagan Day Dinner Saturday at the Cook Education Center.
The evening’s emcee, conservative talk show host Mark Davis, welcomed everyone to the event on Texas Independence Day. “Without Texas, we don’t have an America,” said Davis, whose show ‘The Answer’ can be heard on 660 AM.
Rove said he came to Navarro County because of State Representative Cody Harris. He advised party faithful not to become content, fat, and happy, instead encouraging Precinct Chairs to continue to identify voters and discuss issues.
Reagan Day Dinner held March 2 2019 at Navarro College Cook Center to a capacity crowd
Rove said Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s margin of victory was much smaller than it should have been. “There are half a million unidentified conservative leaning voters who don’t vote in Texas,” he said. “They move here and don’t register.” Rove was instrumental in the development of a micro targeting voter administration system.
“Democrats, who haven’t won a statewide race in Texas since 1994, are organizing,” Rove said. “They’re coming, make no mistake.” “If Texas turns blue, then there isn’t hope for electing a Republican President in our lifetime,” he told a sell-out crowd of 300.
Rove cautioned against taking Democrats lightly. “Contrast their ideas, which will bankrupt this country, with ideas based in conservatism,” he said.
Rove praised current elected local officials, as well as former State Representative Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) and former Congressman Joe Barton (R-Ennis) for the work they have done to keep Texas Red.
The Democratic Party is embracing Socialist policies and more government control. Republican candidates must focus on presenting conservative solutions to their big government programs. “Our Country was built by innovators and dreamers,” he said. “Not by bureaucrats who think they are smarter than we are.”
Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell praised Rove’s remarks with “Hooah.” “We are in a battle for the country,” Birdwell said. “It’s time to get on the battlefield.”
Rove admitted that both major political parties are broken, but reminded the packed room that throughout our nation’s history, it has been worse.
Larry Hodge accepts 2019 Volunteer Of The Year Award from Chair Eric R. Meyers
State Representative Cody Harris said he was proud Rove came to Navarro County, calling Rove the “catalyst” for decades of Republican victories in Texas. “Few have done more to advance the cause of conservatism,” Harris said.
The program was a tremendous success according to Navarro County Republican Chair Eric R. Meyers, who said that Navarro County’s Republican Party is united. “We are ready to get to work,” he said.
R. Sam Thompson accepts Lifetime Public Service Award for his late son Lowell.
Meyers presented the 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award to Marine Corps and Army veteran Larry Hodge. A second award honored former Navarro County District Attorney R. Lowell Thompson for his lifetime dedication to public service, and to the Republican Party. Thompson passed away in 2018 after a sudden illness. Lowell’s father Sam, accepted the award on his family’s behalf.
Larry Hodge accepts TX Capitol painting from SREC Sam “Tripp” Bryant
Meyers thanked the veterans and first responders in attendance, as well as all those who helped put on the program, including members of Boy Scout Troop 1253 for presenting the colors, and the Musical group ‘Bella Voce’ who entertained the crowd with a medley of patriotic songs.
Bella Voce sings American History songs (Joanna Fritz, Janet Martin, Cathy Kjellsen)