2010 Cascade Conference

A Great SuccessLast weekend moderate Republicans and Republican candidates gathered at the SeaTac Holiday Inn for the 29^thCascade Conference, the annual event sponsored by Mainstream Republicans of Washington.A A Put together byA Secretary of State Sam Reed and his cadre of volunteers, the conference brought in notables on many issues to discuss and share ideas.Among the highlights were the presentations of theA Joel Prichard Award,A the Maryann Mitchell Award and theA Norm Maleng Award.A A A The Joel Pritchard Award, given to the most inspiring and outstanding member, was given by previous recipient retiredA Governor Dan Evans to retiredSenator Slade Gorton.A A A The Maryann Mitchell Award, given to the most outstanding legislator, was awarded by previous recipientA Sen. Linda Evans Parlette to retiringA Sen. Dale Brandland.A A And the Norm Maleng Award, given to the most outstanding members of local government, was presented by previous recipientA Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman toA Seattle Port Commission President Bill Bryant.Speakers includedA Dino Rossi .A Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers,A Rep. Dave Reichert, andA Attorney General Rob McKenna.A A Rossi spoke at the Friday evening reception.A While many hoped he would announce his candidacy for the US Senate, that didnat happen.A A But Rossi discussed the position of Republicans in the approaching 2010 elections. McMorris Rodgers spoke to the Saturday morning breakfast by video message from Washington, D.C. Reichert spoke at the breakfast in person.A A Both shared their concerns about the spending and debt increases in D.C.A A A A McKenna, given the topic ofA aWashington State: 21^st Century Global Leadera, discussed Washingtonas advantages and disadvantages in world trade and the challenges of the future.Five panel forums were the heart of the program and included panels onA aBudget, Taxes, and Jobsa, moderated byA Renee Radcliff Sinclair of the US Chamber of Commerce;A aTea Party or the Republican Partya , moderated byA Rep. Maureen Walsh;A aWashington State, the Saudi Arabia of Clean Energya, moderated by Washington Conservation Voters leaderA Mike Vaska; aEducation: Is Washington Racing to the Bottoma, moderated byA Rep. Skip Priest; andA aCampaign Strategies & Tactics for the 2010 Electiona moderated by Rep.Bruce Dammeier.