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Politics & Government

Napa GOP Gathers for Republican National Convention Viewing Party

The final night of the Republican National Convention brought Napa County's GOP faithful together at the Trancas Steakhouse for a big-screen viewing party and buffet. More Napans were in the convention hall as delegates.

Only a few Napa County residents went to Florida as Republican delegates last week

But delegates Janet Kirtlink and Pat Krueger, guest Marleia Sire and regent Billie Ruth Harrel were joined in spirit by their fellow county GOP faithful at the Thursday night.

A viewing party for the final night of the Republican National Convention gathered local GOP leaders including Kevin Hangman, chair of the Napa County Republican Central Committee; organizer and Napa Patch contributor Glenn Ellen Smith; Napa City Council member Jim Krider and council challenger Doris Gentry, to name only a few.

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The group dined and watched the closing speeches of the convention on a big screen TV in the restaurant's event room.

Speaker Clint Eastwood "gave Obama the business" in his empty-chair interview, Smith said with a smile. "He was just funny."

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Smith gave Mitt Romney's speech even higher marks, saying "one of the things I was impressed with was that he wants to keep the military strong.

"He wants to create peace from a position of strength," Smith continued. "By fixing our economy, we can become strong again."

DeeDee Nelson said "What I l loved about his speech is that he has a plan and he put it forward."

Energy independence and education are two important elements of Romney's plan, said Nelson.

In an email to Napa Patch Sept. 2, Sire said attending the convention "was an incredible experience.

For more about the convention and upcoming GOP events, visit the Napa Republican Party website at napagop.org.

Napa's Democratic delegates are on their way to Charlotte, N.C. for this week's national party convention, at which President Barack Obama is expected to formally be named Romney's opponent.

What did you think of the closing night speeches? Let us know in the comments. If you'd rather remain anonymous, you're welcome to email your comment to napa@patch.com.

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