Dick accurately states what is needed for this campaign. Writing a letter to the "Telegram & Gazette" would be a great way for you to begin. If writing a letter to the T & G is something you'd like to do, feel free to e-mail me
Please e-mail your T & G letters to: letters@telegram.com and write "letter to the editor" in the subject line. Also please be sure to include your phone number and mailing address.
So please take a moment to look over Dick's list of things to do and think about if you can help in any way. If you could do just one thing on his list you would be contributing towards getting Lew Evangelidis elected as the new leader of the GOP in the Massachusetts House.
Fellow Republicans,
You have probably heard that Lew Evangelidis is challenging incumbent Minority Leader Brad Jones for the position of minority leader. I'm writing to ask you to make a unique contribution to Lew's effort.
Please:
1. Write a letter to the "Telegram & Gazette".
2. Think of friends, relatives or business associates who live in other parts of the State.
3. E-mail or call your friends and ask them to write a letter to the editor of their local newspaper.
4. Send them the link to this blog with a brief explanation and ask them to e-mail the link and this message to their group of friends anywhere in the State. Your friends will be able to multiply this message. This is essential to become effective.
5 . If you know them well enough , ask them to cc you or me with their e-mail addresses.
6.Offer to write a letter for those friends who are too busy and have them send it to their newspaper.
This is a great opportunity to provide the Party with young effective leadership that can articulate our views to the electorate statewide. This will not be easy, however, everyone knows a change is needed and about half of the delegation is looking for change. All Lew needs is nine votes.
The following is a list of statistics and reasons you can use to convince your acquaintances that Lew is the right person at this time to be minority leader.
1. Lew knows how to win elections, and winning elections is essential to building the Party:
In this past election Lew was one of the only unopposed Republicans in the State. In his District Lew tallied over 80% of the vote, more votes than any other candidate on the ballot including all unopposed Democrats.
2. Lew knows how to attract Independents and moderate Democrats to the Party.
In 2006 Lew was opposed by a Democrat and posted 69% of the vote. Also in that same election, Lew received the second highest percentage of any contested race for the Legislature in the State.
3. Lew is an effective communicator.
Increasingly Lew is being asked to participate in local and statewide news and talk shows. Click on the link in the November 28 entry below to view Lew's latest TV appearance with Jim Braude on New England Cable News.
Lew presents an attractive, cogent and intelligent image, critical for a minority leader. Content is the most important, however, in mass media, image is essential. At 6' 7 " Lew combines memorable, attractive looks with reflective and articulate communication skills.
4. Lew presents effective alternatives to Democrat proposals.
Whether it is gas taxes, tolls, environmental issues, or social issues, Lew has succeeded in his district by consistently combining responsible fiscal conservatism with responsible social and environmental policies . He is against higher taxes in all forms, has outlined ways to achieve higher ethical standards in government and effectively supported his district's schools and land conservation efforts. He takes on the big issues and proposes fiscally conservative and socially moderate solutions that attract independents and middle of the road Democrats to our Party .
5. Lew is respected on both sides of the aisle.
Lew has a record of responsible cooperation with Democrats. He has worked successfully with Senator Harriett Chandler (D) on a number of local issues concerning environment and education. However, he is consistent in his opposition to higher taxes and bigger government. People on both sides of the aisle know where Lew stands and respect his views.
6. Lew is a fiscal conservative and a social moderate.
Lew has shown that you don't need to be against good schools, effective police and fire departments, effective local government and responsible conservation movements to oppose increased government spending and government growth. Election results show he has convinced his constituents that you can have effective public services if you increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government. As minority leader Lew can carry this message statewide.
7. Lew is a proven organizer.
Lew defeated a Democrat incumbent six years ago by organizing an effective grass roots campaign himself. He did it on his own. Since then Lew has organized a district wide network of activists unparalleled in the State Republican Party. He seeks to apply these skills across the State as minority leader.
8. Lew is effective.
Although the State Legislature is overwhelmingly Democrat, Lew has effectively represented his district, successfully proposing and obtaining large increases in state aid to district towns, schools and conservation organizations. He was named Legislator of the Year in 2008 by the Parks and Recreation Department. As mentioned above, he is the biggest vote getter in the Republican Party.
Over the last six years our numbers have dropped from 24-16. Republican representation in the State Legislature just slipped from 19 to 16 members. Not one new seat was won and three Republican incumbents lost their seats in the past election. TheRepublican message is neither clear nor heard. The Republican image is of a party against everything: schools, environment, parks, and taxes. As minority leader Lew will spread the message that you can be for the first
three and against the last.
9. It's time for a change.
Keeping the same leadership will gain us the same results.
House representatives will elect the minority leader on January 7th.
I'm asking you to convince two people a week outside of our district to write to their local paper. Please start today!
It would help me if you would send me the names and e-mail addresses of the people you contact for future reference.
We have just gone through a frustrating election cycle, when as Massachusetts Republicans, we could do nothing effective to change the outcome of the election. Now is a chance to do something that can strengthen our party and advance the career of an outstanding Republican.
Thank you for reading this long message.
I urge you to commit to this effort.
Dick Callahan
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