Republican Club members react to GOP convention
By Brian Harmon
LW contributor
John Harper was president of the LW Republican club for eight years. He attended his first National political convention, sort of, in 1960, 60 years ago.
“That was the California democratic convention in Los Angeles where John F Kennedy was nominated for president,” he said.
“We were not able to get inside, so we just drove around the parking lot,” he explained.
He said he enjoyed all of last week’s GOP convention. “I like that they showcased so many people with such widely varying backgrounds,” he said. “Regular people.
Republican Club volunteer Jovanka Radavojevic was inspired by the story told by Ann Dorn, widow of retired police captain David Dorn, 77, who was killed while responding to an alarm at a pawn shop during the protests in St. Louis.
St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden told reporters at the time, “Throughout the night, we made 25 arrests for various charges. And then there were 55 businesses and counting that were burglarized and had property damage,” according to CNN.
GOP club at-large board member and active volunteer Mike Supple said he liked all of the convention.
“Everything was excellent, especially the third night. Everything was so touching,” he said.
The third night of the convention focused on heroes, including the military, police and fire fighters.
David Harlow, GOP club president, agreed. “The convention was so overwhelmingly positive and upbeat, especially on night three, I really appreciated that,” he said.
“Police officers, as a group, have been under attack for the sins of a few,” he said. “These are the brave men and women who protect us, who risk their lives so that we can sleep well at night, knowing that they are out there. They don’t deserve to be treated that way.”
“We need to do what is necessary to stop unnecessary police shootings and severely punish officers who murder innocent people, but defunding the police is not the solution,” he added.
•••• GOP club treasurer Elsa Gildner announced that the club booth will be open from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week, near Clubhouse 6, where the food trucks are located later in the day. Face masks will continue to be given away courtesy of OC Board of Supervisors Chairwoman and Congressional candidate Michelle Steel, along with Michelle Steel for Congress signs, door hangers and flyers. Various items will be available for purchase including political campaign lapel pins, buttons, scarves, flags and other items, according to Elsa.
