REMINDER: Dorchester Conference this weekend, March 3-5, at the Seaside Convention Center

REMINDER: Dorchester Conference this weekend, March 3-5, at the Seaside Convention Center

ANNUAL EVENT: There is a registration fee, but the gubernational debate tonight is open to any registered Republican at no cost. Please read the history of the Dorchester Conference below, as reproduced from the Dorchester website: http://www.dorchester.org/history/index.htm

History of the Dorchester Conference

The Dorchester Conference is America’s oldest annual political conference. State Representative Bob Packwood founded the conference in 1964. Packwood invited Republicans from around the state to the Dorchester House in Lincoln City, Oregon.

The first conference attracted about 200 participants for a lively discussion around the future of the Republican Party. At the end of the conference, one of the delegates remarked, “It will act as the yeast for Oregon Republican dough for sometime to come.”

The early years of the Dorchester Conference were chaired by Bob Packwood. The Dorchester Conference is now run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Many changes have taken place including the addition of college students to the invitation list and the beginning of the almost always popular tent show.

Many of the issues discussed during the early years have had repeat visits to later conferences. Property tax limitations, sales taxes, support of education, and abortion were all debated at early Dorchester Conferences and many that followed.

The appearances of Governor and Presidential candidates George Romney at Dorchester IV was the first of many memorable keynote speakers to appear at the conference. Over the years the conference has hosted luminaries such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Nelson Rockefeller, Jack Kemp, Elizabeth Dole, and Gale Norton. Notable Oregonians, in addition to Bob Packwood, that have keynoted Dorchester include John Dellenback, Tom McCall, Clay Meyers, Mark Hatfield, Norma Paulus, Vic Atiyeh, Don Hodel, and Dave Frohnmeyer.

The format of the conference has changed over the years, but has always been designed to involve all attendees in the discussion and voting on various issues. Over the years, various elected Republicans have participated in the discussion leading one delegate to say, “I was amazed that my opinion counted as much as that of the state legislator in our group.” Encouraging participation and underlining the fun of politics have been two of the keys to the conference’s longevity.

The 2002 Dorchester Conference attracted more than 600 delegates who enjoyed an exciting gubernatorial candidate debate lead by Congressman Greg Walden. Karl Rove, a top advisor of President Bush, and U.S. Senator Gordon Smith shared their reflections on what was happening in Washington, DC. Congressman Walden was also honored as Dorchester’s first “Person of the Year.”

At Dorchester XXXIX, more than 450 delegates attended, some of whom participated in a Town Hall featuring Senator Gordon Smith. Technology hit the 2003 Dorchester Conference with a live camera feed to a huge screen of issue sessions and floor debate participants. A terrific speech by Walden and a visit from White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director Ruben Barrales highlighted the policy portion of the conference.

Perhaps the most anticipated event at each year’s conference is the Tent Show. Each year, a group of Dorchester stalwarts poke fun at politicians and current events. It is all in keeping with Dorchester’s promise to show that “Politics IS Fun!”