June 30th Filing Deadline Less Than A Week Away!
Our online outreach efforts now touch every one of our 159 counties, and last week's response to our "10 x 10" program was terrific. I want to thank you and ask you to keep those friends coming. For those of you who don't know, "10 x 10" is a simple grassroots concept: support our campaign by contributing $10 and get 10 of your friends to match it.
Please join your neighbors in this friend-to-friend effort which will help us show that I am the strongest candidate and the only Democrat who can win next November. Click here to make your "10 x 10" commitment right now.
www.poythressforgovernor.com/10x10
If you want to give now and save 10x10 for later, use the link above to make a contribution today! Please help us meet our June 30th goal.
REPUBLICANS WRONG ON VOTING RIGHTS ACT
This week the U.S. Supreme Court told Sonny Perdue and other Republican Governors that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would stay in place. I support the Court's decision; even John Roberts, the ultra conservative Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said that the accomplishments of the Voting Rights Act are "undeniable."
While America and Georgia have come a long way down the road to equality, it would be a mistake to rollback this critical legislation that has, and will continue to, protect voters from disenfranchisement and discrimination at the polls.
ENDORSEMENTS FROM MY HOMETOWN AND FURTHER SOUTH:
ADEL MAYOR RICHARD BARR AND COMMUNITY LEADER AL TILLMAN OF MACON
My message continues to be well received across the state, and local officials are looking to support the type of leadership that only I can bring to the table. Folks are sharing my vision for a more prosperous Georgia, and they believe that I can take those ideas and put them into action. I am delighted to announce the endorsements I received last week, and I am honored to have earned the respect and support of these two fine gentlemen.
Adel Mayor Richard Barr served our nation in the National Guard for 23 years, is a small business owner, and was elected Mayor of Adel ten years ago. Mayor Barr has applied his business acumen to the local government and is highly regarded in his community. "I've been a witness to David's leadership for a long time, and he has the wisdom and strength of character to move Georgia forward," says Mayor Barr.
Making a strong showing in my home town means a great deal to me, and I have taken another good step toward that goal by gaining the support of Mr. Al Tillman. In addition to being a small business owner, Al is a dynamic community leader. His civic involvement includes: President of Macon/Bibb NAACP, appointment to Macon Housing Authority, founder of UNITY-N-Community, and Al has served on the Parent Council at Agnes Barden Elementary School.
"As our next Governor, David Poythress will be a dependable and reliable leader for all Georgians, especially veterans. For too long, young African Americans have been told who we should support. It is time that we take the lead and support a candidate who will listen and address our issues and concerns," says Tillman.
JAM PACKED WEEKEND FROM HOTLANTA TO THE SCORCHING COAST
Elizabeth and I started our weekend with a visit to the Marietta Square on Saturday for the Cobb NAACP Juneteenth Celebration. Special thanks to President Deane Bonner for welcoming us and allowing me a moment to greet those in attendance. We wish we had been able to stay longer to visit all the booths and enjoy more of the entertainment. The event celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. This year's celebration coincides with the civil rights organization's 100th anniversary.
Concerns of Business Leaders Expressed in Clayton County
We got a refreshing break from the heat during our luncheon at the lovely home of Paddy and Chandler Sharma in Jonesboro. The food and the company were so delightful that I tried to keep my remarks short. The conversations we shared and the questions asked after my remarks reflected everyone's continued concern for our economy, the plight of small businesses and the state of health care in Georgia.
Listening to Veterans in Rural Georgia
Venturing once again below the gnat line, Elizabeth and I feasted at our "low country boil" in Millen. Our host Byron Scogins did an amazing job orchestrating food for the whole community, live music and the perfect atmosphere for this poolside gathering. I can't remember when I've ever seen so much shrimp, and our friendly chef Larry Thompson had everything spiced just right! This late afternoon event brought together a cross section of the local community and veterans from as far away as Augusta. I'd like to thank Lamar Faircloth, Earl Parris and Joe Harmon for their outreach to veterans on my behalf.
The Entire State in One Place: GMA Convention 2009
The short drive on to Savannah brought us to an important meeting of elected officials - the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Convention. Unlike other candidates who skipped this great opportunity, Elizabeth, Wendy, Robert and I spent three and a half days in conversation with these local community leaders. Although the larger cities were represented, the bulk of the attendees were from smaller cities across rural Georgia.
My friends, old and new, from every part of the state had the struggles of managing tight budgets on their minds, were very receptive to my message and delighted that I was there to listen to their concerns. We're still compiling the growing list of endorsements and will share it with you in our next update. Congratulations to Jim Higdon and his fine staff at GMA for hosting their first "green" convention; we're grateful that you made us feel so welcome.
LOOKING DEEPER: FACT CHECK ON RECENT POLLING
A recent Rasmussen poll was released to the media this week showing former Governor Barnes with a big name recognition lead. Such results are expected from a former Governor, but there were a few other facts that call the legitimacy of the poll into question:
1. The sample was only 247 respondents. Most legitimate statewide polls require no less than 400-600 respondents to get an accurate gauge on public opinion;
2. The crosstabs show that all of the respondents supporting me were all female. While I believe I have strong support across the state among women, the fact that not a single male supported me suggests a badly skewed sampling process;
3. Another poll released last week showed Thurbert Baker at 30%, in this poll he was at 8%. I seriously doubt that the Attorney General has dropped 22% in the span of a week. Clearly one of these polls is way off base!
Given the ultra small sample size of the Rasmussen poll and the very curious results, I think most people would agree that the results are not in line with what Georgia Democrats are truly thinking about the 2010 Primary.
What we do know is that my message is resonating across the state. That's why we're reeling in endorsements and gaining new support every day. Know this - the early poll numbers only strengthen my resolve to outwork my opponents in the Primary and to take my campaign straight to the people who will ultimately decide who our Democratic nominee will be next year.
FROM THE FRONT LINES
UGA Liberal: More Endorsements for Poythress
Online Athens: Poythress Endorsements
Tondees Tavern: Poythress Gets More Endorsements
Bryan County News: Poythress makes stop in Pembroke
Indigo Journal: What happened to the Toby Keith style Patriotism of the GOP?
Daily Kos: Georgia Gov candidate hits Secessionists
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday June 24, 5:30 PM
Meet 'n' Greet
Taylor Grady House
634 Prince Avenue
Athens, GA
Hosted by Ken Dious and Commissioner Doug Lowry
Monday, June 29, 6:00 PM
Meet 'n' Greet
G&T Snack Bar
129 Savannah Street
Hartwell, GA
PASSING OF HEROES AND FRIENDS
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the members of our Guard family who are mourning this week. Calhoun resident John D. Blair, a first sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry of the 48th Infantry Brigade, was killed in action in Afghanistan last Saturday when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle, according to the Georgia Army National Guard. Closer to home, my former colleague, Maj. Gen. (ret.) David F. Wherley and his wife Ann were killed in the recent tragic accident on the Washington DC Metro Rail. And just this morning Wanda "Peachy" Parris, wife of our dear friend Earl Parris passed away.
All the best,
David Poythress
P.S. - Our June 30th fundraising deadline is less than a week away. Click here to contribute $5, $10, $50 or whatever you can today!
About David Poythress
Lieutenant General (Ret.) David Poythress is the immediate past Commander of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard. He previously served as Georgia's Commissioner of Labor and Secretary of State, and he is a Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010.
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