A New Day for Liberty in Washington

   Dear Friends,

   Last summer and fall, I exhorted you to work your will at the ballot box on election day.  For many of us who value the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, that was a pretty successful evening.  NRA endorsed candidtes won approximately 85% of the time and together we in the 2nd Congressional District managed to replace a champion of the poor, misguided anti-gun agenda with a woman new to politics who centered her candidacy on restoring liberty.  As Bob Etheridge fades into the sunset, it is a new dawn for the citizens of the 2nd District and for America.  We worked hard to elect a pro-gun candidate and I have no doubt that your efforts put Renee Ellmers in the US House of Representatives.

   Renee Ellmers was sworn in about an hour ago.In a rare example of governmental efficiency, her Congressional website is up and running.  There you can subscribe to her electronic newsletter, send her your comments and ideas and otherwise keep an eye on what she is doing to support and strengthen our liberties.

...and you thought the election was over

     Dear Friends,
     With a little luck the election for the US House of Representatives in the 2nd Congressional District will finally end today.  This past Wednesday I had the chance to observe the recount in Vance County on behalf of the NRA endorsed candidate, Renee Ellmers.  The process was conducted by the County Board of Elections and started promptly at 9:00 and didn't end until 5:15.  Ballots were taken out of storage, machines were zeroed and then each and every ballot cast was fed into the machines again using the same process that was used after voting was completed on Election Day.  There were 10 people there observing the process on behalf of Mrs. Ellmers in addition to a lawyer from her legal team.  Mr. Etheridge was represented by a member of the NC Democratic Party, the chair of the Vance County Democratic Party as well as a lawyer from the Etheridge campaign.  The count was done without rancor with all of the participants working together to make sure that every ballot was counted in accordance with state law.  There were just a couple of minor disagreements that were resolved to everyone's satisfaction on the spot and in consultation with the NC State Board of Elections where necessary.  While it was tedious and about as much fun as watching paint dry I think that all who were there believed it was important and worthwhile.  I'd like to commend the Vance County Board of Elections for their professionalism and the diligence with which they conducted the recount.
     After tallying 4,414 votes cast, the result of the recount added just one vote for Mr. Etheridge while the tallies for Mrs. Ellmers and Mr. Rose were unchanged.  It struck me as remarkable that of the stacks and stacks of ballots that the resulting count was so consistent. I have no doubt that it was done fairly and equitably.
     Later today it is expected that the results of the recounts in all 10 counties in the 2nd District will be provided to the State Board of Elections who will in turn make the final tally from recount. They are expected to make that public later today.  If the process employed in Vance County is applied to the other nine counties is used, I am sure that the public and the respective candidates can trust that the results are fair and final.
     I am sure that all of us who have participated in this campaign will be happy to see it come to a conclusion and that we are looking forward to seeing our new Congressman at work representing our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

Election Results

     Dear Friends,
     It was a long night and a short morning, but here are the results from our quest to safeguard our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
     Senator Richard Burr handily won re-election defeating Elaine Marshall 55% to her 43%.
     The US House of Representatives District 2 race is a bit murkier.  Renee Ellmers (NRA "AQ") received 91,920 votes while 6 term incumbent Rep. Bob Etheridge (NRA "D") received 89,821 votes and Libertarian candidate Tom Rose had 3,418.  Ellmers appears to have won by 2,099 votes or 1.13% but Etheridge has not conceded and news reports indicate he plans on calling for a recount.  Election law "experts" on local news discussions have said that an automatic recount is triggered if the margin is less than 1%.  Etheridge is 247 votes short of that point. We must remain vigilant to ensure that the verdict of the majority of the participating voters across the district prevails.
     In the North Carolina State Senate, there were 11 contests with 7 NRA endorsed candidates.  Of those, 6 of won and 1 lost.  Congratulations to Senators Berger, Jackson, Rouzer, Stevens, Meredith and Blake.  In the State House of Representatives, I'd like to congratulate the Representatives Collins, Daughtry, Wray, Crawford, Dollar, and Lewis. There were 19 contests with 9 NRA endorsed candidates where 6 of those won.
     All in all, it was a pretty good night for the supporters of the 2nd Amendment.  Together we were able to let Washington and Raleigh know that we value our rights and those who work against them had better find something else to do.  Last night was not the end, but rather another beginning as we continue to fight for freedom and restore the full intent envisioned by the founders of our Republic.  I invite all of you who value this important freedom to join me in continuing to support these fine men and women and to assist them on the frontlines as they advance the cause of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

Ellmers Defeats Etheridge; Burr to Serve Second Term in Senate

     Dear Friends,
     Renee Ellmers, the NRA endorsed candidate, defeated 6 term US Representative Bob Etheridge in a race that surprised local and national pundits. Etheridge (NRA grade of "D") was widely expected to be re-elected. Ellmers campaign was buoyed by the NRA endorsement that was announced the Thursday before election day in a timely Grassroots Alert. Clearly, the NRA members made a decisive difference in a race where the margin of victory was 1.1%.

Of 185,189 votes cast, Ellmers won by 2,099.

Senator Richard Burr, our pro-gun voice in the United States Senate handily defeated anti-gun challenger Elaine Marshall to earn his second term.  He earned 55% of the vote compared to her 43%.

Thanks to all of you who volunteered, voted and stood tall for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.  Please join me in congratulating our new Congressman!

Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe

More results for our RNA endorsed candidates will be posted in the morning.

Today is THE Day

     Dear Americans,
     The talk has ended and the ball is in your court. The power is yours.  Not just today, but every day by watching your elected representatives, seeing how they vote and holding them accountable for implementing the will of We the People.

     Please consult the NRA Voting Guide. Select these fine liberty loving candidates, print out enough copies for you and your families, friends and neighbors as you go to the polls together.  Please vote for Richard Burr for Senate and Renee Ellmers for Congress. On the NRA Voting Guide you will find great candidates for the North Carolina Senate and House.
     If you can't recall where you should go vote, that information is available on this link to the North Carolina Board of Elections.
     Please Vote Freedom First!
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

Freedom's Voice Will Be Heard Tomorrow

     Dear Americans,
     I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that tomorrow is coming.  As a former soldier, I took an oath with each enlistment to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.  Standing at attention with hand held high, I got goose bumps as I repeated that sacred oath to defend freedom. Tomorrow we all have a chance to do the same thing - with our votes. We will be faced with a choice - to vote for candidates who support freedom and liberty, or those who favor "common sense gun control" or some other attempt to place limits on the liberties that men and women are fighting for in Afghanistan or Iraq even as we speak. My brother-in-law is one of those warriors.  I'll be voting in honor of his service and his sacrifice. I may not be able to wear the uniform and carry a rifle anymore to defend freedom, but my ballot is every bit as powerful  and just as necessary to stop tyranny, oppression and subjugation now and in the future.  Whether you are a teenager voting for the first time or you cast your first vote for during World War II, together we stand in defense of freedom.  Our voice will be heard.
     If you think your gun rights are not being challenged, consider the case of a lawman in Maine - in full uniform with his gun - who was denied the right to vote.  The reason: he had a gun.
     Freedom depends on you.  If not you, who?  If not at the ballot box, where? If not tomorrow at the polls, when will you ever have a better opportunity to support liberty?
     Remember, Richard Burr for Senate and Renee Ellmers for US House of Representatives.  They need your vote.
     Sincerely yours,
     -Tom Goffe
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     Tip of the Day:  When you go to the polls tomorrow, please be sure to take your family, friends and neighbors.  Before you leave, go to the NRA Endorsement Page, click next to each endorsed candidate, or in cases where no endorsement has been made, select the candidate with the highest grade.  Then print it out and be sure to have copies to pass out to the people going with you.  You might also want to take your kids with you so that they can see democracy in action. Set the example and share with them the joys of being free people who can vote in the greatest country on earth.
    

What an NRA Endorsement Tells You About A Candidate

     Dear Friends,
     It is easy to dismiss an NRA endorsement of a candidate as being just limited to how they stand on the 2nd Amendment.  While that is the sole issue that concerns America's original Civil Rights organization, it actually is a good proxy for understanding where a candidate stands on the role of government.  In this election, the NRA has been asking you to "Vote Freedom First."  With their grades and endorsements, the NRA is letting voters know whether a current or aspiring legislator fully supports the liberties given to us in the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, or if they believe it is good to refine, modify, limit or even deny them to us.
     Over the last 221 years, the freedoms that the founders of our nation have bequeathed to us have been changed and even denied based on what were thought at the time to be "rational reasons based on (then) current needs."  As we have added to our experience as the freest nation in the history of mankind, we have made mistakes, learned from many of them and applied remedies.  Slavery, the denial of the vote to women and the internment of citizens based on their national heritage are just a few examples. What the NRA does is stand as a bulwark against efforts to "interpret" the right to keep and bear arms against currently fashionable impulses that could result in a similarly egregious denial of liberty.  Candidates who fully support the 2nd Amendment in both word and deed show that they understand the original intent of the founders. They demonstrate that they believe "all men are created equal." Anything less is reason enough to deny a candidate the opportunity to enjoy the privilege and great responsibility of representing us, "We the People."  Take a look at the NRA's grades and endorsements to get some insights on how candidates value freedom. In the 2010 election, they have endorsed Richard Burr for Senate and Renee Ellmers for Congress representing the 2nd District.  The NRA Political Victory Fund web site also has a comprehensive list of candidate grades and endorsements for the North Carolina Senate and House.
Voters need to indeed Vote Freedom First.  Voters need to remember that on Tuesday.
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

Registration Deadline is TODAY

     Dear Friends,
     Today is your last day to register to vote in the 2010 election.  That's the bad news - the good news is that you can vote at the same time with one-stop voting!  Please double check your voter registration status here and be sure to make your voice heard both here in North Carolina and in Washington.  You can also look up where to vote online if you prefer to vote on Tuesday, November 2.
      I'd also like to invite you to take a look at the NRA Voter Guide for North Carolina or see my 2nd District Voter's Guide for federal office as well as for the NC Senate and NC House.
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     Tip of the Day:  If you use the NRA Voter Guide for North Carolina, you can click your mouse on each candidate you like, then print out your personalized list of candidates and take it with you into the voting booth.  Just another example of the NRA going the extra mile to ensure that you get to the polls for vote for freedom.
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

In Case You Missed the Rally Friday Night

     Dear Friends,

Smithfield Rally Oct. 22, 2010

     Turnout was fantastic and exceeded my wildest expectations.  I don't know whether it was great candidates or free BBQ, but one thing is for sure - it was a memorable evening.  Sen. Burr, Renee Ellmers, Sen. Rouzer, Rep. Daughtry and about 4,000+ good people were there.  Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory was the emcee and the speakers knew what the crowd wanted to hear: short, hard-hitting messages supporting our traditional liberties.  To repeat - short and to the point.  In case you couldn't make it, you can get an idea of the size of the crowd {tip of the hat to Mayor McCrory}
     Please be sure to give your relatives and friends a ride to the polls - whether you are participating in early one-stop voting or if you go on Nov. 2.
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

Good Food & Good Candidates Coming to Smithfield Tomorrow

     Dear Friends,
     Many of our NRA endorsed candidates will be coming to Smithfield tomorrow afternoon.  Senator Richard Burr will be at the Central Marketing Tobacco Warehouse, 1416 Wal-Pat Road on Friday, October 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Also scheduled to appear is NRA "AQ" rated candidate for the US House of Representatives for the 2nd District, Renee Ellmers.  State Senator David Rouzer, Representatives Leo Daughtry, a nice selection of candidates for judicial seats and Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell are also expected to attend.  There will be free BBQ, bluegrass music, and some really nice people.  To repeat, FREE BBQ!  Bring your appetite and I'm sure that these fine supporters of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms will not be disappointed if you bring your checkbook.
     I look forward to seeing you there!
     Sincerely yours,
     Tom Goffe

US Senate and 2nd Congressional District Voter Guide

     Dear Friends,
     These two fine candidates have earned the NRA's coveted endorsement based on their support for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. I hope you will support them at the ballot box today.  This page has been updated to reflect Renee Ellmers recent endorsement.    

US Senate

   Richard Burr (A) NRA Endorsed “Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues.”   Campaign Web Page,    Facebook Page,    Legislative Web Page

   Elaine Marshall (?) “Refused to answer the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire, often an indication of indifference, if not outright hostility, to gun owners' and sportsmen's rights.”

US House of Representatives

District 2 (Chatham, Cumberland, Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Sampson, Vance and parts of Wake Counties)
   Renee Ellmers (AQ) “A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate's responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.” Campaign Web Page  Facebook Page
   Bob Etheridge (D) “An anti-gun candidate who usually supports restrictive gun control legislation and opposes pro-gun reforms. Regardless of public statements, can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues.”

NRA Endorsed Candidates in Our District

Dear Friends,
As it stands now, the following candidates have received the endorsement and support of the National Rifle Association.  I've included their campaign web sites as well as their official legislative office sites so that you can become acquainted with them.

United States Senate: Richard Burr (campaign web site)
US House of Representatives, District 2: Renee Ellmers (campaign web site)
North Carolina State Senate, District 7: Doug Berger
North Carolina State Senate, District 11: A. B. Swindell (campaign web site)
North Carolina State Senate, District 22: Harris Blake (campaign web site)

In the days and weeks to come more NRA endorsements should be forthcoming and I will update this list accordingly.  There are many races that are important to all of us where an official NRA endorsement has not yet been announced.

One thing that every candidate for office has in common is that they are competing for OUR vote. They want to work for us, and just like a job interview we as the employer need to evaluate their resumes, question them and make an informed decision on which one will do the best job for us as supporters of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. For now, I invite you to become acquainted with these candidates and to consider how you can lend your talents and efforts to their campaigns.  One great way to help out is to join the NRA's Frontlines - a group of concerned 2nd Amendment supporters dedicated to ensuring victory in the 2010 election.

Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe