Click here to see the original article

By Melissa Regennitter of the Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa — About 30 Republicans met for laughs, political talk and lunch Saturday during the 2nd District Republican Women spring/fall conference at the Button Factory Woodfire Grille in Muscatine.

Among those gathering in support of the Grand Old Party were Muscatine County Sheriff’s candidate C.J. Ryan, the late Sen. Dick Drake’s wife, Shirley Drake, Sen. Jim Hahn, and Muscatine City Councilman Robert Howard, who is running for state representative in this fall’s election.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who will take on Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack for the seat in the 2nd Congressional District, was the first to speak. Miller-Meeks is an ophthalmologist in private practice in Ottumwa, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and is the past (and first woman) president of the Iowa Medical Society.

She touched on some of the issues she hopes to change if elected:

- Healthcare should not be controlled and mandated by the government

- Begin drilling for oil off of America’s shores and continue to diversify the nation’s energy supply

- Support all veterans. Miller-Meeks said that her opponent may have more money but, like many women, “I have more shoes,” she said, adding that she’ll do the walking and talking to people that it takes to show Iowa she is serious about the progress of the state.

Caleb Hunter, Republican Party of Iowa executive director, was next at the podium. He said there is a stark contrast between Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, and his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain.

“Obama has one goal and one goal only and that’s to raise taxes,” Hunter said. “He’s a run-of-the-mill ’60s liberal … more government intervention and higher taxes.”

Hunter went on to say that “we have plenty of oil but we refuse to go get it.” He added that diversifying the energy supply includes working on developing biodiesel and ethanol but to also start drilling here to free Americans from foreign oil dependency.

Howard, who’s running against Rep. Nathan Riechert, D-Muscatine, took the podium to thank his supporters.

“I am confident we’ll have someone new in that seat come the first of the year and I want to be that person,” he said.

At Ryan’s turn, he told the crowd that it’s important to keep a Republican in the sheriff’s position by voting for him this November. He is running against Democratic nominee Dave White in the contest to succeed Sheriff Gregg Orr, a Republican who is retiring.

Many others spoke on behalf of the Republican party during the luncheon, which was a $20 per-plate event.

“The speakers, everyone in this room, are so spectacular,” said Joni Scotter, 2nd District president. I am so excited that people came from all parts of the state to be here.”

Reporter contact information

Melissa Regennitter: 563-262-0526

Or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it