Snooki Noem already building her war chest (H/T – Helga)

Oh, my, that is one tasty $1,200 steak!

Our nation needs to stop spending so much, start creating more jobs and quit stalling on decision-making.

Those were just some thoughts four Republican Congress members, including Bakersfield’s Kevin McCarthy, shared with media Thursday night outside of a Seven Oaks Country Club residence. That’s where the group hosted a pre-Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner reception for VIPs.

The dinner itself — hosted by the Kern County Republican Party — took place immediately after at Marriott Hotel downtown. The annual dinner raises thousands of dollars for “get-out-and-vote” campaigns and other local Republican Party activities.

Joining McCarthy were “up-and-comers” and “three of the most promising incoming Republican freshmen” of the 112th Congress, McCarthy said — Tim Scott of South Carolina, Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Sean Duffy of Wisconsin.

Before introducing the visitors, McCarthy said of today’s budget picture: “We need to get our spending under control and open jobs.”

On more local issues, McCarthy said federal money should go toward things like expanding Highway 99 as opposed to building the high-speed rail system. McCarthy also said he has “no fear” of Wisconsin-like protests coming to California.

In Wisconsin, the Republican governor has called on public employees to spend more for health insurance and benefits and argued that bargaining rights should be limited. Protesters have demonstrated and Democratic senators have fled to prevent action on proposals.

Wisconsin Congressman Duffy Thursday night said he’s for more budget belt-tightening. In Washington, D.C., he said, “We aren’t going to kick the can down the road.”

“The eyes of the world are on us,” he said of the debate in Wisconsin.

Noem, who defeated a Democratic incumbent in June, said she hopes to bring “clear direction.” She is a businessperson focusing on opening jobs, she said.

“The voters voted for someone who would deliver,” Noem said.

South Carolina’s Scott — the first African-American Republican elected to Congress from South Carolina in more than 100 years — said Bakersfield “feels like South Carolina,” with its conservative atmosphere.

Arnold and Jan Johansen have attended the Lincoln Day Dinner for 25 years, they said.

“It’s always nice to hear from those in Washington (D.C.),” Mr. Johansen said. “There’s a lot of political activity out there right now.”

Also in attendance was Michael Turnipseed, of the Kern County Taxpayers Association. The world is changing, he said, and government has gotten more out of control with spending. It’s important to hear from politicians at the forefront.

“We have to get our house in order,” Turnipseed said.

Tickets for the dinner were $75; attending a reception cost $150; sponsorships went for $1,200; and patrons (getting a table of eight toward the front and with an elected official) paid $10,000.