Friends-Now that we’ve had a few days to reflect and recover from this past Tuesdays historic election, I wanted to share some thoughts with you and let you know what you can now do to help our Party in Shelby County, in Tennessee, and all across the nation.

A new day for Tennessee

While the Presidential election dominated most of the news coverage, there was a significant historic event this past Tuesday here in Tennessee. With the help of you and so many hard working Republicans, we gained control of the Tennessee State House and earned a bullet-proof, working majority in the State Senate.

For the first time in our state’s history, the dream of becoming the majority party is finally a reality.  The impact of this historic event will be felt all across our state, but no where will it have more impact than in Shelby County.  It is a fatal blow to the whims and will of the Memphis Democrat Caucus.  They will no longer be able to block much needed legislation that benefits our county for their own selfish interests! 

For years we have been at the mercy of a Democrat controlled Election Commission, and now we’ll be deciding where we Early Vote, cleaning up the voter rolls, and enforcing election law. We look forward to returning fairness and confidence to the voters of Shelby County! 

Thank you Volunteers!

Your local Party ran what is possibly the largest election effort in our county’s history.  With the able leadership of our McCain Team headed up by Commissioner David Lillard, Rieta Selberg, and Adrienne Stock, we helped deliver the largest number of votes in the entire state for John McCain and won our county for Lamar Alexander by over 15,000 votes!  Barbara Trautman and their dynamic team of volunteers made roughly 40,000 live calls in a three week time period!  Our Vice Chairman, Paula Sedgwick and the army of HQ volunteers led by Betty Rome ran the finest operation in the State.  Our own county volunteers made thousands of calls into Fayette County on behalf of State Senator-Elect Dolores Gresham and Representative-Elect Barrett Rich.  We are proud of them both and I am proud of the work that our volunteers did on their behalf.  It was truly a team effort. We commend the State Party, the House and Senate Caucus leadership, and all the hard working candidates and grass roots republican volunteers in the VOLUNTEER state!  We are a deeper shade of RED today because of you!  

Our gratitude for Senator McCain and Governor Palin

We should also be sure to recognize and appreciate the affect that our Republican American Hero, Senator John S. McCain and Governor Sarah Palin had on this historic moment.  The strong support they received turned out Republicans in record numbers in Tennessee and no doubt attributed to the Republican takeover of the State House.  While we are all disappointed with the national result, we must never forget the debt owed here in Tennessee for their sacrifice and hard work. Senator McCain’s service in the United States Senate and as a prisoner of war were never enough for the same left wing, liberal media that created Barack Obama.  And…even after the election, they continue to disparage and humiliate Governor Palin. These two fine people deserve to be treated with dignity and honor, just as they’ve acted in their public service and as they carried themselves in defeat.

Appreciating this moment in history

On January 20th (which just so happens to be my birthday (some years are better than others!), Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  He is our President.  Our fate now rests in his hands. As Americans first, we should offer him our prayers and best hopes.  Though our policies and beliefs differ greatly, we recognize the significance of this moment in our nation’s history.  One of my predecessors, Robert Church Jr., the forefather of the Republican Party in Shelby County, was the son of the the first African-American millionaire in the South, as well as a prominent business and civil rights leader.  While he would be proud that the color of one’s skin was no longer a barrier to our nation’s highest office, he would be as concerned as you or I about the President-Elect’s proposals that discourage entrepreneurship and personal responsibility.  For those reasons alone, we must continue to plow forward, together, fighting for the ideals that we hold dear. 

Congrats Kemp!

Here locally, we went head to head with the Democrat union machine and ultra-liberal Congressman Steve Cohen to defend and elect our newest Republican City Councilman Kemp Conrad.  Just a few short weeks ago, Congressman Cohen stated Republicans were “history” in Shelby County.  Despite his own failure to recognize that without Republicans, he would not have been elected to Congress, his contempt for our Party makes this victory even sweeter.  Kemp ran an incredible campaign and will make a very fine councilman indeed.  We look forward to working with him!  Kudos to all those who made this victory possible. 

We have each earned the right to be disappointed about the Presidential election and our Congress.  Our love and concern for our country runs so deep, it is only natural that we feel this way.  We must also be careful not to dwell on those things.  Our opponents are praying we do.  We must remember Who is in control and we must remind ourselves that we have much to be thankful for.  Recognize those things and glorify them.  I have always believed that the true test of character comes not from victory, but from defeat.  There is so much work to do. Find your place, get involved, and make a difference.  God Bless each of you, and I will see you somewhere soon on the campaign trail!

Humbly,

Bill Giannini
Chairman

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