For Local Delegate, Republican Convention Was Just the Ticket

Santa Barbara County's Mike Stoker reflects on last week's events and the energy the McCain-Palin duo bring to the Republican Party.

By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 09.08.2008

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While the Republican National Convention last week started out with the gloom of Hurricane Gustav, the event, local delegate Mike Stoker said, showed that the future for the Republican ticket is brighter than ever.

“I think we came out of that convention with the kind of momentum we need to make Sen. John McCain the next president,” said the former county supervisor and Santa Barbara County delegate.

He says it was the most moving RNC he has been to, largely because of the focus presidential nominee McCain put on the importance of being an American and serving one’s country.

“I think America has, to some extent, gone wayward in remembering what makes America great,” Stoker said. “We need to re-establish that moral compass as we proceed ... it’s putting our country first, putting our families first, putting out communities first.” McCain, he said, connected to all of that.

Adding to the new Republican energy is the addition of Gov. Sarah Palin to the ticket. While the Alaskan governor seemed to many to be a surprise pick for vice president, Stoker said he knew about the possibility of her selection for a while.

“She’d been on the short list for the last three months,” he said.

One of the most obvious signs of the special importance of this year’s elections, Stoker said, was the support of Sen. Joe Lieberman. Once a Democratic vice presidential nominee, the Connecticut senator became an independent Democrat in 2006.

“In a normal election where you look at just normal everyday issues, (Democrats and independents) tend to vote Democrat. But his isn’t a normal election,” Stoker said, pointing out issues of national security. “Al-Qaeda wants to destroy us, and we need a strong president to be able to deal with that.”

As the race for the Oval Office intensifies, Stoker said, McCain’s experience will be one of the deciding factors for many voters, regardless of party affiliation.

“Obama wants to talk about his campaign being for change,” he said. “If you look at who’s whole life has been about change, it’s Sen. McCain.” McCain’s independent streak was what earned him the epithet “Maverick,” and got him into occasional trouble with his own party, Stoker said.

That self-determination is the kind of thing that will resonate with South Coast voters come voting time, Stoker said.

“I think in Santa Barbara County, people have a tendency to be much more supportive of people that change business the way it’s done and reform government as usual,” he said.

For others, the deciding issue could be the McCain policy on energy. which supports on- and offshore oil and gas exploration and nuclear power as well as alternative energy and conservation.

“He’s also for the expansion of coal gasification and the development of oil shale,” Stoker said.

While the financial effects of new oil and gas exploration won’t be felt for years, according to Stoker, the renewed exploration and possible lifting of the offshore oil and gas drilling moratorium would reduce demand and inspire investor confidence and a lowering of gas prices.

Noozhawk staff writer Sonia Fernandez can be reached at sfernandez@noozhawk.com.

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» THANK GOD FOR GOP on 09.10.08 @ 06:52 AM

The wacky left has destroyed the democratic party’


» Oy Vey on 09.10.08 @ 10:43 PM

Mike -  Get your head otta yo (expletive deleted).  You’re a loser.


» james in sb on 09.11.08 @ 08:12 AM

What is this, a place for free Republican propaganda. Quite aside from the shrill, sarcastic, nasty, inaccurate and dishonest VP he chose, McCain and energy policy can’t be uttered in the same word. He took his name off his own energy legislation and wants to drill, drill, drill (ah, yes, that “drill, baby, drill” chant was a shining moment in clear policy thinking)despite the fact that there is not a single credible geologist or economist who says drilling will do anything to affect prices. And the Dept. of Energy has said it will have “no significant effect on prices.” And even if it did, have you heard about global warming, climate change, etc.? Oh, I forgot, that’s a “liberal” issue and Republicans don’t believe it.
I guess if you stand up there and say “I love America,” and say “They hate America” enought times, it sticks—and passes for a convention and a “ticket.”


» Oy vey, indeed on 09.11.08 @ 08:34 AM

Stoker, the Harold Stassen of the Central Coast, proves once again that self-delusion is one of his strongest qualities, and probably a requirement for anyone voting the Repub ticket this fall. Anyone coming out of the RNC with its Alice-in-Wonderland nomination of an unqualified former small town mayor and current governor of a state with the population of SB County, thinking that it represents a “bright future” for the Repubs is either delusional or ingesting something. But no one would ever accuse Mike of the latter, would they?  “Moral compass,” indeed…


» Louise on 09.11.08 @ 10:34 AM

I am very afraid of four more years of Republican agenda.


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