Friends,
I pray that this letter finds you and your family healthy in these challenging times!
For those who generally only read the first several lines, I will get right to the point of my letter. I have been asked by many people over the last several months if I would be willing to run for governor in the 2010 election two years from now. Some of these people have been campaign supporters from 2006, but many of them have been individuals who have learned about our Georgia First efforts since then. We are now two years out from the next election, which is when we need to begin organising and fundraising if we intend to run. In the following paragraphs, I will outline where we are, what we will need to do, and what our opportunities will be if we move forward now with the intention of running. However, after spending a great deal of time praying and considering another run, it basically comes down to this...
Will you personally commit to helping in another Georgia First campaign for governor for 2010? If "yes," then I need you to sign up today as a volunteer... even if you previously signed up during the 2006 campaign. [Please use Volunteer Sign-up Box to the left of this page.]
Our Accomplishments in 2006
As many of you already know, I agreed to run for governor in 2006 with only 90 days before the primary date; and yet we garnered nearly 50,000 votes in the Republican primary against an incumbent governor within our own party. That was nearly four times as many votes as the pundits expected us to get. We had, arguably, one of the largest grassroots campaign efforts in recent Georgia history, with several thousand people helping to spread our message. In all, we spent only about 50 cents per vote received, as compared to the incumbent who spent nearly $4.50 per vote against us (mainly using state party funds... an unprecedented act in primary elections). Also, thanks to the efforts of Mike Crane, our campaign website was the number one campaign website in the state within just one week of our announcement to run! And it continued to be the number one site for a month after the primary was over... even while Sonny and Mark were the two remaining candidates!
During that 90 days of campaigning, we made trips to all corners of the state and personally made approximately 30 radio interviews, as well as a number of newspaper interviews, too. Every time that I had the opportunity to speak at candidate forums or take calls on radio interviews, there was one thing that was clear... our message was right on the mark! Our theme throughout the campaign was a very solid States' Rights message of "NOT Atlanta... NOT Washington... but GEORGIA FIRST!" Returning to the Bible and the Constitution, and restoring liberty, was the basis for our position on every issue in our platform.
We were endorsed by the Constitution Party of Georgia, the Southern Party of Georgia, and a number of Libertarians, as well as individual Republicans around the state.
In the end, the result was clear... Our message of "Georgia First" was a resounding success with those who heard it; we just did not have the time and resources to get it to enough people before the primary.
My Activities Since 2006
Since the Campaign in 2006, I have continued to speak regularly at various meetings around the state, usually on the subject of States' Rights; and last December, I was asked to begin hosting a weekly political hot-topic television show which broadcasts south of Atlanta on SBN Television. I agreed to host the show with the provision that I would be allowed to select the guests and topics for each show; and we have dealt with a number of politically-incorrect subjects (always from a conservative, constitutional viewpoint) such as the murder of unborn children, our Second Amendment rights in Georgia, dangers of many required vaccinations, alternatives to government education, and more. Many of the shows are archived online and may be viewed at SBNagenda.com .
Additionally, I resumed my business, Ray McBerry Enterprises, which sells and produces radio and television commercials; and I have enjoyed spending time with my family and being active, once again, in my local church.
Current & Upcoming Political Issues
There is certainly no shortage of crucial issues facing Georgia today and in the near future. The "Big Brother" encroachments of the federal government seem to know no end, with the destruction of privacy and liberty, incessant increases in taxation and inflation, and the over-regulation of every area of our lives. Approximately 90% of what the federal government does is unconstitutional, while the few constitutional duties that they actually have (i.e., securing the borders) remain undone.
Here in Georgia, we have been blessed by Almighty with abundant natural resources, beautiful weather, and intelligent, hard-working people. In nearly every case, the solution to our problems in Georgia could be had if our duly-elected state officers would stand up for our people, our land, and our liberties by invoking the Constitutional principle of States' Rights and saying "Georgia First." We have the ability to solve our own problems, decide our own social values, and the right to preserve our valuable way of life.
Plans for 2010 Campaign
In addition to television broadcasts available online between now and the 2010 election, we already have drafts for an effective campaign organisation and for weekly radio broadcasts around the state.
There will be no incumbent to face, and it seems likely that there will be half a dozen candidates in the Republican primary race for governor. Building upon the nearly 50,000 votes that we received in 2006, it is very possible to imagine us vying for one of the top two positions in a runoff election after the primary.
What I Need to Hear from You
If you want me to plan to run for governor in the 2010 race, I need for you to respond to this letter right now by clicking on the link below. I intend to make a decision within the next two weeks; and it will be based, for the most part, upon the results of those who respond to this letter. Please respond immediately and feel free to forward this letter to any individuals or lists that you think may be interested.
[Please use Volunteer Sign-up Box to the left of this page.]
For Georgia First,
Ray McBerry
www.GeorgiaFirst.org
