By Hugh Fisher

hfisher@salisburypost.com

HARRISBURG — A crowd of 150 Cabarrus Republican supporters gave Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Rep. Robin Hayes an enthusiastic welcome last night at the Harrisburg Town Hall.

Hayes (NC-08), a Kannapolis native, is seeking a sixth term in the U.S. House. Dole, of Salisbury, is campaigning for her second Senate term.

In the face of economic woes and sharp criticism of Republicans in Congress and the Bush administration, both national candidates were positive.

"I am thrilled to be here tonight," Dole said. "And you know what, folks? We're going to win this election."

Dole spoke of working with Hayes on legislation, naming among her accomplishments the tobacco quota buyout, legislation to expand oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and efforts to maintain and expand the state's military bases.

When Dole mentioned her support for offshore oil drilling, she drew shouts of "Yes!" and applause.

And, even acknowledging that it was a tough election cycle, "I'm determined we're going to make it," Dole said.

Hayes thanked the crowd for their enthusiasm and called on them to stay involved.

"Folks, this is the most important election I have seen," Hayes said.

He had biting criticism for Sen. Barack Obama and others who he said were leading the United States away from its traditional values.

"You and I are standing between them and the victory they do not deserve," Hayes said.

On behalf of themselves and local candidates — many of whom were present — Dole and Hayes called upon Cabarrus Republicans to step up their volunteer efforts.

"For everything you do, do more," Hayes said. "The energy's out there, the excitement. And we'll win on November 4th because we're right."

The response from locals was enthusiastic.

Steve Dorrity of Harrisburg came to the rally to meet Dole and Hayes.

He smiled as Dole autographed a book he's owned for over a decade — a copy of "What You Should Know About the American Flag," by Earl P. Wills Jr.

Dorrity said the book had first been signed by the late Sen. Jesse Helms and that he looked forward to keeping it for his children.

"I think they are politicians who are honorable, who are true patriots and stand for what we believe in," Dorrity said.

A Harrisburg resident, Dorrity said he will work between now and election day to persuade those he knows to vote Republican.

"You know, throughout the year we kind of got beat up by what you see in the press," Dorrity said.

"My approach is, what is your vision? What do you want of our elected officials?" he said.

"I'm just happy to meet the candidates," Tom Goedeke, of Concord, said after greeting Hayes.

Goedeke especially praised their votes against what he called the "bailout fiasco," the recent efforts to solve national financial worries.

"They stood up against the entrenched politicians," he said.

Volunteer Michelle Bates, one of those who helped organize the rally, said she wanted to get involved in the Republican campaign after Sara Palin was chosen to be Sen. John McCain's running mate.

"I was just a normal person on the street like everybody else," Bates said. "I'm happy to be a part of this."

Jay White, chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, said he was pleased with the turnout and the positive outlook of local Republicans.

"They're excited, and they certainly want to see the victorious candidates that we will have," White said.

"There's been a lot of hard work and dedication by the people of Cabarrus County in support of Republicans," White said.

Justin Thibault, treasurer of the Cabarrus County Republican Men's Club and a member of the statewide Federation of Republican Men, said he felt a good level of energy three weeks before the election.

"Since the convention there hasn't been a week gone by that I haven't gotten at least three people coming up to me asking about volunteer opportunities," Thibault said.

"I feel good about our chances," he said, specifically naming several local offices and the gubernatorial campaign of Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

"When it's really close, we come through in the end," Thibault said.

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