Over the past several weeks, we have seen false campaign ads by Michelle Nunn about David Perdue. We have also seen a few polls. One showed Nunn leading Perdue by a little over 1% while another showed Perdue leading Nunn by 6%.
I have received quite a few calls and e-mails from folks concerned about the attack ads on David Perdue and wanting some kind of response. David does have a new ad that is showing now and there will be more.
Let me share a very basic truth with you about voters. You have more power to influence than millions of dollars worth of negative ads and endorsements from the biggest names around. For example, has anyone commented to you or asked you about the attack ads on David Perdue?
The fact that someone asked you about it or commented to you is an indication that your opinion is valued. Even if the person commenting to you is supporting the opponent, the fact that he or she said something to you is a sign that you carry weight in someone’s eyes.
There are people around you who will make a difference in this election because of you. You may feel like you have no influence at all but you do. This election year, your influence is vital to our nation. Someone may see an ad on television and then ask you about it. Your opinion will trump the ad on television.
Here is a very simple truth about elections and I will use this with respect to David Perdue for US Senate. Follow me carefully here.
Your job is not to persuade people to vote for David Perdue. Your job is to get people who would vote for David Perdue to go vote.
If someone wants to debate with you, then you probably are not going to sway them. If someone asks you about a candidate that you are supporting, then you likely have a very good shot at gaining their support. At that point, the conversation should shift from political discussions about the candidates to nailing down a commitment to actually cast a ballot.
It all comes down to who shows up to vote. Four years ago, I worked alongside Mike Keown in the race for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. Mike lost the election by a handful of votes because there was a high turnout in the urban precincts in Columbus and Albany. Mike told me that after the election he had several people admit to him that they did not vote because they thought he was going to win. If you don’t vote, your candidate cannot expect to win.
The latest poll shows Republicans leading in statewide races. Do not let the polling numbers lull you into a sense of complacency. Michelle Obama came to Atlanta to campaign for Michelle Nunn. She would not spend her time here if she did not think that there was a chance to win the Senate seat in Georgia.
Dekalb County, the most Democrat county in Georgia has decided to open polling places on a Sunday. There will be record breaking attendance in some churches on that Sunday as churches make a big event out of the day with busing to the polling place and dinner on the grounds afterwards.
Georgia is in the cross-hairs of the Democrat National Committee. They believe that they can do it and they are disciplined and diligent about doing what they have to do – get their voters to the polls.
We must do the same thing. It happens one person at a time. Most of your friends probably already know where you stand politically. Ask them to join you in making a commitment to vote. Ask them to vote early. There is too much at stake in this election to assume anything. Here are some key dates – note that there may be differences in your county:
Last Day to Register to Vote – October 6, 2014
Early Voting – October 13 – October 31, 2014 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM – M,Tu,W,Th,F
Saturday October 25, 2014 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Commit now to be registered, be ready, and go vote on the first available day for early voting. Do your civic duty and do not take the chance of something keeping you away. God has not promised any of us tomorrow. Commit to go vote and commit to encourage others who are like-minded to commit themselves to go vote.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts. I always enjoy hearing back from you.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Cole
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