McNairy County Reagan Dinner

Our county's Republican party had our Reagan Dinner last evening with about 300 people in attendance. The guest speaker was our U.S. Senator, Bob Corker.
The event was a success due to the hard work of our GOP county chairman, Charles Lee, and his wife, Carol Ann.

We spent the afternoon setting up for the event.

Daddy and David hang banners

Sarah folds napkins

Hanging up flags around the balcony

We set about 40 tables!
Senator Corker arrives Jonathan and Mr. Lee greet the Senator Deborah and David served the head table
County Mayor Jai Templeton recognizes the elected officials and candidates in attendance Senator Corker addresses the crowd
Senator Corker with Effie Carrie Woods and her grandson Senator Corker and Vance Dennis, candidate for State Representative from our district

Senator Corker with Sgt. and Mrs. Patrick Diener
David gets his picture taken with Senator Corker

Our friend, Pastor Jerry Woods and Senator Corker

The Senator autographs a program for Jonathan

County Mayor Jai Templeton and his wife Allison with Senator CorkerDaddy visits with Senator Corker

All 11 Smiths with the Senator!

Fellow Huckabee supporter Dan Hardin talks with Daddy and Charles Lee

Daddy and Tom Leatherwood, candidate for the U.S. Congress from our district Cleaning up after the dinner

Update From Governor Huckabee

Click here to read Gov. Huckabee's latest update.

Gov. Huckabee on CNN - 4/16/08

Part One: http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=07064b12-ddab-44e1-a619-87872debce74

Part Two: http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=13a5a0e3-0ad9-4c3e-a4ff-b3a4b9eae685

Huck PAC!!!!!!!!!!!

Visit www.huckpac.com to find out about Gov. Huckabee's new PAC!

Conference Call With Gov. Huckabee

The conference call was wonderful! Over 6000 people called to listen in! It was so good to hear Gov. Huckabee's voice and be inspired and encouraged again by his vision! Here is a brief overview of the conference call. None of it is word-for-word...it's just a condensed version of the questions and answers that I was able to hear. If you would like to listen to the entire conversation, here is the link to the recording: http://www.charismamag.com/replay/huckabee/

Greetings and introduction of host Steve Strang and guest Mike Huckabee.

Strang: What’s next on the agenda for you?

Huck: Talks about the people who supported him in his presidential run and how they need someone who will continue standing for their conservative values. Talks about how he'll continue pushing the FairTax...the economy is suffering. Mentions that we need strong families...a breakdown in the family necessitates more government.
To answer the question, what’s next is to make sure that we don’t lose the momentum we conservatives gained in the past few months. We need to use our momentum to elect other conservative candidates this year.

Strang: agrees…says that’s why he endorsed Huckabee -- because he was the one standing for and articulating conservative principles and values.

Strang reads questions from viewers:

Christy: Disheartened by bias toward Huckabee from GOP elite. What is Huckabee's advice to those who feel that the party has left them?

Huck: My advice is to remain active, don’t give up, don’t be weary in well doing. If we give up, who will stand up for life, stand against racism and on and on? Don’t reflect on what we didn’t do, but what we did do. We outlasted the ones who the pundits said would win and supporters should feel proud. Dust yourself off, get back on your feet, and fight for another day.

Gail: Who do you believe is God’s choice for President at this time?

Huck: Never claimed to be God’s choice...every believer should hear from God on this issue. Personally will support McCain over Dems. Talks about how Obama and Hillary would raise taxes...the government is already taking too much. It's very important for all of us to work for state and local candidates who share our principles.

Carly: Would you be McCain's VP and is McCain open to that idea?

Huck: Doesn’t know, wouldn’t turn it down, doesn’t know if he’s on the list, isn’t expecting it.
Has volunteered to help and campaign for McCain and is waiting for instructions. Can’t apply for the job and personally thinks it’s rather unbecoming to say “Yeah, I’d like to be VP.”

Evan: Your views on healthcare, economy (he mentioned others that I didn't catch) were fresh to conservatives and were an appealing part of your platform. What will you do to highlight these more before 2012?

Huck: Too many people thought it was hard to define him and his record was distorted. Wants people to know where he stands, and believes these issues are appealing to a new generation of Republican voters. On the environment: as Christians, it’s a matter of stewardship. We have no right to misuse or destroy the earth, because we don't own it. It is sin to put self above others.

Eric: What do you think about how people are trying to remove God and Christianity from the public forum?

Huck: America is supposed to champion individual rights and freedoms. Doesn’t want a society that doesn’t respect Christians. It's not just evangelicals being attacked, but Catholics and Jews too. Talks about Catholics championing the rights of unborn. Now Muslims are getting more respect and religious freedom than Christians. Not being able to say "Merry Christmas" is absurd. Those who don’t like it can work on Dec. 25 if they don't want to observe a Christian holiday.

Valerie: Illegal aliens are causing problems and draining resources. How can we deal with the issue of illegal immigration?

Huck: The government has a responsibility to secure the borders and it has failed us. All other countries have secured borders, physical barriers, checkpoints and searches. Talks about his experience crossing borders in other countries and all he had to go through to get from one country to another. He didn’t mind because he was a guest. Our open borders make us not respected and people who enter the country without being under the law will live here without obeying the law.
To fix the problem we close the border first. Secondly, we have a process where illegals return home, fill out paperwork and only come back legally, pay taxes and live by the law. Immigrants can’t just walk in. They have always had to go through the front door, even back when we were welcoming immigrants at Ellis Island.

Greg: What can be done about the gas prices?

Huck: Gas prices are sky-rocketing, now averaging $3.28 a gallon. This is hurting all of us, but especially those who make their living driving or using gasoline. Their paychecks aren't changing to match high fuel costs. Air industry is really struggling.
To deal with this problem we have to become energy independent in ten years with renewable sources of energy. If we want to do it, we can! It can become reality if we will see it as a priority. Our gas dollars are going to pay both sides of war… it's absurd. Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia are not paying what they promised to help in the war against terrorism.

Halfway through call: advertisements for Charisma Magazine and some discussion about Gov. Huckabee's books.

Strang: Huckabee didn't have much money, and the key was his grassroots support. Why didn’t grassroots support turn into fundraising? Why is it hard for voters to part with funds?

Huck: His supporters were not the traditional establishment supporters who write checks for $2300. His supporters were the janitor who gave $20 and the lady in Michigan who couldn't give money but gave him her ring. He wouldn’t trade those small contributions because they’re more powerful than the $2300. His supporters sacrificed to give. Finds it interesting that when pundits started saying "This guy could actually win!" more money started coming in. It’s distressing to him that the political process (fundraising) has become more important than the principles. Many just wanted to support the winner. We should learn to help the candidate who stands for our values instead of the one who has the money. Talks about how the Christian leaders who speak about faith and miracles and Gideon, David and Elijah wouldn't have faith themselves. They worship at the altar of electability instead of supporting who they know they should support...their thinking is more secular than many in the world.

Strang: Mentions that the conservative leaders who failed to stand up and endorse a conservative candidate may not be considered leaders anymore.
How can we change the process so next time we have more money? How can we win local and state elections?

Huck: Positive thing was that people saw that their voices matters and that their efforts really had an impact. For example, homeschoolers from other states came to Iowa for 2 weeks and volunteered at the campaign headquarters. He doesn't have to convince them that they made a difference.
We didn't lose, the game ended before we got finished playing. It won’t have to be the same next time. Two important lessons for us: #1 - Every person and every dollar makes a difference. #2 - If you’re going to make a difference, do it EARLY. The Democrats have an organization called EMILY - Early Money Is Like Yeast. We need to get involved as soon as possible. He longs for the day when conservatives don’t wait for the trends and the polls to tell who’s doing well, but will make their decision early and base it on principles. A lot of people said they weren’t sure he could win, but if he could get some traction they’d help him because they really wanted him to be President. He says those people who think he'd be a good President ARE his traction! Those who believe a candidate is the right one need to step forward now and make their convictions valid!

Tom: (didn't get the question, but it was something about Huckabee being the only candidate to have a plan to change the tax code.)

Huck: One of the most troubling things in our society is the tax code. Congress and lobbyists have too much power because they get to manipulate the tax code and create winners and loser. What you penalize you get less of and what you reward you get more of. We need those who are productive. We are rewarding criminals and illegals by our present tax system and hurting our own businesses. The fairtax is structured, will bring jobs back, will encourage people to work, will help small business, and will have everyone paying taxes.

Lamario: African-Americans are normally conservative and family-oriented. Why isn’t the GOP getting more of the African-American vote?

Huck: This is one of the things that makes him frustrated with the GOP. They aren’t building relationships. He got 49 % of the African-American vote in AR, not because he stopped by in October to ask for their vote in November, but because he showed that he cared. We have to earn the votes instead of just getting them. Talks about working with African-Americans in Arkansas in areas like healthcare. He also showed equality in the criminal justice system. Says that GOP could be getting the majority of the black vote if they would care about them and reach out now.

Kendall: Will you run in 2012?

Huck: Flattered that someone wants to vote for him again, but not making premature announcement now. The immediate goal is the 2008 elections, but he will not rule out a run in 2012. Who knows? He noticed several times that he was the youngest guy in the Republican field.
Next Tuesday he will be launching new website and encourages everyone to check it out on April 15th. He is writing a new book and will be campaigning and speaking. You’ll find out more on April 15th.
He's realized that his supporters are not a campaign, but a community. A great lesson he learned from his campaign was that this is an amazingly wonderful country with some of the greatest people on earth. Was heartened by it and wants to see it continue.

Strang: Huckabee energized voters and restored our confidence.

Huck: Thanks to all. Encourages people, especially believers, to subscribe to Charisma Magazine.
To supporters: "God bless you all. I appreciate you more than I can say."

Huckabee Update

What has Gov. Huckabee been up to lately? If you haven't looked at the mikehuckabee.com website recently, you should!

According to CNN, Gov. Huckabee has signed a contract with Creative Artists Agency. You can read the article here.

You can hear Gov. Huckabee for yourself tonight! Steve Strang will be hosting a tele-conference call with Gov. Huckabee as the guest at 7:00 CT. Click here to sign up for the call.

Sign The FairTax Petition!

We are only a few thousand signatures away from the goal of 100,000 names on the FairTax Petition that will be presented to Congress later this month. If you have not signed the petition yet, go to www.changedc.org and sign it. Please encourage friends and family members to sign it also!

Baptist Press Article

The Baptist Press posted an article about Gov. Huckabee yesterday. Click here to read it.

Vote for Huckabee in TIME Magazine Poll

TIME Magazine is taking a poll of the 100 most influential people of the year. Click here to go to Huckabee's page. Be sure to drag the rating at the top left to 100 to give him the highest rating. Right now he is in 23rd place.

Washington Times Article

The Washington Times has an article on Gov. Huckabee today. Here's the link: http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080325/NATION/67454600/1001

United States Supreme Court to consider Ten Commandments Cases this week

Pray for the Supreme Court this week!

On Friday, March 28, the Supreme Court of the United States will be considering two cases involving Ten Commandments displays. These cases have been taken to the Supreme Court by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).

In order for the Court to grant review in a case, it is necessary to obtain a four-Justice vote in the conference. You can review a copy of each of the briefs the ACLJ has prepared for the Supreme Court: Pleasant Grove City v. Summum (No.07-665) and Duchesne City v. Summum (No. 07-690).

The following is part of an email from Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ:

"As you know, our teams have put in tremendous hours preparing, researching, and meeting pressing deadlines for these two cases. We feel that the Supreme Court should grant review.

These are extremely important cases, and the results of the Tenth Circuit's decision should be reversed. The idea that next to the Statue of Liberty the government would be required to erect a ''Statue of Tyranny'' is wrong. That is the logical outcome of the Sixth Circuit's flawed reasoning.

Please pray that we will get the four-Justice vote in Pleasant Grove City v. Summum (No.07-665) and Duchesne City v. Summum (No. 07-690).

Thank you for standing with us in prayer."

Senator Wilder Will Not Seek Re-election!!!!!

State Senator John Wilder(D) announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to the District 26 Senate seat that he has held for 44 years. Senator Wilder was first elected in 1958 and served for 2 years. In 1966, he was elected again and has held the position ever since in our district, which includes the following counties: Chester, Crockett, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, McNairy and Wayne.

After nearly 50 years of the same Democratic representation in the State Senate (ever since Lyndon B. Johnson was President!), we Republicans in the 26th district were already preparing to take back this seat in November...and now that we don't have to run against an incumbent, it will be a lot easier! There are 3 Republicans who have announced their intention to seek the seat: Representative Delores Gresham (Somerville), Dr. Tim Linder (Selmer), and former Savannah Mayor Bob Shutt.

Our family will be checking into the candidates in the next few days and making our decision about which one we will support.

An Easter Message from Governor Huckabee

By Mike Huckabee

The story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection has deep meaning to Christians for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it is the defining moment of the Christian faith. But for the resurrection, Christianity would be nothing more than a legend, not unlike the stories from Greek or Roman mythology. As the Apostle Paul notes in I Corinthians 15:17-18, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." Indeed, our very hope of eternal life depends upon the resurrection of Christ!

Beyond this, however, the resurrection is the supreme reminder that the biggest victories can come from the greatest defeats.

When Jesus walked the land of Palestine, the Jews held fast to God's promise of deliverance. Oppressed by the Romans, the children of Israel eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah—the Savior who would overthrow their tormenters and restore the Throne of David. Many of the Jews who followed Jesus believed that He would do just that. However, when He died by the most humiliating way—death on a Roman cross—their hopes were dashed. Even as Jesus' blood poured down the tall, wooden cross into the parched ground below, their hope of salvation slipped away—or so it seemed.

We know the rest of the story. Jesus rose again. He overcame the grips of Death and Hades. Caesar did his worst, but it was not enough to keep Jesus down. As a result, salvation from sin and reconciliation with God became available to all who choose to come to Christ in faith. What was meant for evil, God turned to good. Jesus' humiliating defeat became the vehicle for the greatest victory in all of human history.

Today, our nation is going through a difficult time. The ever burgeoning number of home foreclosures have created an economic crisis not unlike the Great Depression itself. And with gas prices at record highs, the dollars in our pockets have been stretched to their limits. If this weren't bad enough, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan—although necessary to preserve our national security—have taxed the patience of our people to their limits. To borrow from Thomas Paine, "these are the times that try men's souls."

As difficult as these times may be, though, we may look to the story of Easter for hope. Just as God used the greatest evil (the death of Jesus on the cross) to birth the greatest good (salvation for mankind), so will God use the problems we now face as a springboard for our greatest victories.

You may be going through a difficult time right now. Maybe you have lost your home, or perhaps your loved one is serving our country proudly in a war zone. You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If so, just remember that God knows right where you are. If you will only trust Him, He will lead you through this time of testing and deliver you from evil. Like a woman in childbirth, the heartache and pain you experience today will precede the greatest happiness you will ever know. Just believe.

Memories of an Incredible Political Season

Here is a slideshow of memories from our family's involvement with the Huckabee campaign.



The YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq8EimVZXzU

Sign the Fair Tax Petition

With Tax Day rapidly approaching, we want to send a message to Congress about America's need for the FairTax. Americans for Fair Taxation has prepared a FairTax Petition which will be delivered to Congress on April 15th.

Will you join over 40,000 Americans who have signed this petition? Click here to read and sign the petition.

Governor and Mrs. Huckabee sign the FairTax Petition in Houston a couple weeks ago.

Gov. Huckabee on The O'Reilly Factor

Here's the link for Gov. Huckabee's interview last night. http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=d3bfe8b6-7235-419d-9d9d-5051259b1fbf

Update from Gov. Huckabee

Today's update from Gov. Huckabee can be found here.

ATTENTION TENNESSEE RESIDENTS: Immediate Action Required

Please read the following letter from David Fowler, President of the Family Action Council of Tennessee.

Help stop obscenity on cable TV in Tennessee. Your action is needed before noon on Tuesday, March 11.

Dear Friend of Tennessee Families,

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11, at noon, the House Civil Practice subcommittee will vote on HB 1108. This bill would criminalize the broadcasting on television, satellite and cable of obscene programming and the advertising of obscene materials. It would also restrict the time in which material harmful to minors could be broadcast.

There are two members we believe are on the fence and they need to hear from you today.You may recall the bill came before this subcommittee two weeks ago. It did not appear that a majority of the subcommittee would support the bill. But the hundreds of emails that came in from so many of you and other concerned citizens gave some members pause.

Some members began to rethink their opposition to the bill. They wanted to find some way they could vote for the bill. So for the last two weeks, we have been working with the bill's sponsors, Sen. Doug Jackson (D-Dickson) and Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville), to try to draft an amendment that would satisfy some members of the House Civil Practice Subcommittee without undermining the bill's purpose. It seems that some members want to let the cable companies off the hook and only go after the "networks" that run the bad programming. But too many of these networks do not have enough of a "connection" to Tennessee to be prosecuted here.

That is why the cable companies must be included. Certainly the cable companies have a moral responsibility for how they allow their property to be used. Just like "landlords," cable companies should make it clearly known to their "tenants" (the networks whose programs they air) that the leased property is not be used to broadcast or advertise obscene materials.

Two weeks ago your emails made a difference. Now, though, the wealthy cable companies and the powerful Tennessee Broadcasters Association are lobbying against the bill. Tennessee families need you to be a lobbyist for them!

Two weeks ago your emails snatched this bill from defeat. But if it is to pass, you will once again have to make the difference.

Please contact Rep. Henry Fincher and Rep. John Lundberg today. Their votes are critical.

David Fowler,President

Click the following link to send your message: http://votervoice.net/target.aspx?id=factn:21624982

Homeschooling Under Attack in California - Please Sign Petition

On February 28, 2008, the California Court of Appeals issued a ruling in a juvenile court proceeding that declared almost all forms of homeschooling in California in violation of state law. Moreover, the court ruled that parents possess no constitutional right to homeschool their children.

Home School Legal Defense Association will be formally petitioning the California Supreme Court to depublish this case. Click here to sign the HSLDA petition to show that many other people, not only in California, but across the country, care deeply about homeschool freedom in California.

We haven't been able to bring ourselves to take down our Huckabee sign yet...