Last Call! Vote Today

There will be no House race runoff, so if you want Bill Gillespie to be our next U.S. Representative from Georgia's First District, and you haven't voted yet, vote today!

The VDT was confused about the runoff, but they weren't confused about Jack Kingston being in a precarious position. Help oust Jack and elect Bill.

If you have already voted, go on down to the Tybee Island office and help get the vote out.

Or go to your local Obama Campaign for Change office (such as 102 East Adair St., Valdosta) and help call to remind people to vote, join door-to-door canvassing to remind people to vote, or volunteer to give rides to get people to the polls.

These people waited 45 minutes to 2 hours Friday in Lowndes County to vote. People in Atlanta stood in line up to 8 hours. Are we in the 1st District going to let Atlanta outdo us? I didn't think so. Get out the vote!

Bill Gillespie Wakes Up the Candidates' Forum in Valdosta

Bill got applause for saying what needed to be said:


Video by Gretchen Quarterman

A few of my favorite bits from Bill Gillespie's speech at the south Georgia Political Forum in Valdosta, Oct 14:

"going from analog to digital ... new leadership, new opportunities; I want to be one of those new leaders that put people first",

"Iraq war... wrong war, wrong time; it's a money pit, money that we could be better spending right here on our own economy",

"it's sad to see our number one export, our children... we need to fix that",

"I knew when America was right, because we were respected around the world and we were respectful, and I want to able to be a Congressman that reinstates that around the world with our allies",

"we're not set up for the 21st century; why don't we make something again?"

"Lowndes County, you know about service industry jobs, because you have the lowest wages ... compared to the sixteen counties that come to Lowndes County for services",

"there are things we need to do with ... 21st century in terms of education; 40% high school dropout rate; we've got to do better",

"No Child Left Behind left many people behind",

"if the Blazers had a failing season, we would get rid of the coach. It's time for a new coach, I'd appreciate to be that next coach."

The audience loved it.

Bill Gillespie Impresses in St. Marys

Here's a good example of Bill Gillespie's effect when he talks to people:

I'll tell you right up front, we walked away from the conversation with nothing but positive things to say about him. He impressed us as genuine, sincere and concerned about the future of this district as well as the country. We spoke briefly about policies and I was impressed. Bill seemed to be very pragmatic and a real progressive. He understood the financial crisis this country is in, and approached the bailout with the skepticism that we all approached it with. It's a difficult decision for any lawmaker. I was convinced, however, that he had the best interest of the American people, and our district in mind.

All you people in safe Atlanta metro districts or from out of state, don't forget who Bill's running against:

George Bush did not do this alone. He had republicans carrying his water in the House and Senate. There is no bigger offender than Jack Kingston.

And here's why it's an uphill fight worth fighting:

So, stop by Bill's site and help out any way you can. If you can donate, please do. He's up against a candidate that is heavily entrenched. Along with that entrenchment comes lobbyists and special interest groups. Anything you can give will definitely help. If you can't contribute, then get involved some other way. As always though, keep talking to your friends and neighbors. This is our chance for real change. Don't let it slip away. Don't wake up on November 5, as say coulda, shoulda, woulda.

And remember, cable TV buys in GA-01 are among the cheapest in the country. Bill's busily fundraising, but you can help up the ante so he can flood cable with ads. The only thing Bill really needs to win is name recognition, and that would do it. You can help.

Stars Aligned for Bill in the Florida Time-Union

Great writeup in the Florida Times-Union:

Gillespie said he returned home from an Iraq war he considered a mistake to find a state he thought was unprepared for the economic challenges of the 21st century. He believes an unpopular president and a troubled economy could help him beat Kingston in a district favorable to Republicans.

"Every single star has aligned," Gillespie said.

Bill's the candidate for renewable energy and jobs:

Gillespie has pounded the dual issues of economic development and energy, saying Southeast Georgia could prosper from an increased focus on alternative energy and blaming Kingston for not moving aggressively enough.

"Jack is in the pocket of Chevron," he said.

The Democrat also rejects drilling for oil or natural gas off the coast of Georgia.

"There are certain places I do think we could drill more," Gillespie said. "Georgia's not one of them."

Georgia vacationers, do you want oil rigs off Jekyll and Tybee and Cumberland Islands, or do you want south Georgia turned into a renewable energy exporter that creates its own jobs?

You've all seen Jack Kingston on Colbert. You haven't seen Bill Gillespie there. Donate now for more name recognition for Bill.

DeKalb and Fulton County safe district voters: Congratulations on turning out in droves to vote early for Obama! Now how about donating or volunteering for Bill Gillespie in GA-01? You get more bang for your buck down here where TV ads are cheap.

Out of staters, maybe you think Obama's not a patriot because he doesn't always wear a flag pin or maybe you're for big oil or more wars. If so, Jack Kingston's your candidate. If not, here's your chance to replace him with Bill Gillespie, a better Democrat. If you're sitting in a safe state like New York wondering what you can do, how about invest in your country's future by helping Bill?

Clean Energy Produces Jobs and Clean Air

Bill gets it that clean energy produces both jobs and a clean environment. As he says, Invest in technology and infrastructure for a clean energy grid:

“Creating the new technology and infrastructure for a ‘clean’ energy grid would generate billions of dollars in economic activity and put hundreds of thousands of people to work in new jobs. In addition, our country must motivate business to wean itself off fossil-fuels, and can receive an economic boon while doing so. California’s 2006 state law—led by Silicon Valley venture capitalists—that requires fossil-fuel producers to limit green house gas emissions added 20,000 jobs and a $60 billion increase in gross state product.”

With Bill Gillespie supporting such a bill from Congress, there's no reason the Georgia legislature can't follow the lead of 16 other states (by now maybe as many as 23 other states) in passing a green house gas emissions law, which would not only clean up the air but also produce jobs. Companies are already scrambling to be green all over the country. Why build another dirty coal plant in Georgia when we could move ahead and become a leader in green energy?