“As the son of a Vietnam War veteran, it only makes sense that people who are willing to die for their country should be able to have a beer or glass of wine on base, especially in time of war,” said McKinney.

HR 5958, introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) in July, would allow active duty service members aged 18 to 20 to consume beer and wine at restaurants and enlisted clubs on military bases. The bill would not allow sale of beer or wine to minors at convenience stores and base exchanges on base.

“I certainly believe men and women who are responsible enough to risk their lives in defense of their country can be trusted to drink responsibly,” said McKinney. “I understand some GOP House members don’t agree, but I support my friend Jack Kingston on this issue.”

Kingston represents the neighboring First Congressional District.

“In 2007, John Barrow took to the floor of the House to declare his opposition to the troop surge initiated by President Bush,” said McKinney (R-Lyons). Now President Obama and the Democrats are taking credit for ending the war. It’s disingenuous to take credit for an accomplishment brought about by a military action they opposed by a President they tried to thwart at every turn.”

McKinney continuted, “If Obama and Barrow had been successful in their opposition to the surge, more troops and civilians would have been killed and the U.S. would have left Iraq in disgrace and defeat. They would have had blood on their hands.”

McKinney said he’s very concerned that as combat troops leave, violence is continuing and escalating and the Iraqis have failed to form a government six months after the election.

“Frankly, I think the President is declaring victory prematurely,” said McKinney. “I believe there’s a real possibility U.S. combat troops will have to return to quell violence and stabilize the situation so an effective government can be formed.”

In his speech to the nation from the newly redecorated Oval Office, Obama called on the country to turn to solving its domestic problems, especially the economy.

“The problem with that is the policies being pushed by Obama, Barrow and the Democrats are killing jobs, and many economists believe we are on the verge of a double dip recession,” said McKinney. “What is needed is for our leaders to embrace solutions that work: cut spending, reduce taxes, and ease burdensome regulations. Only then will our country be able to get back on track.”

“I have a message for Mr. Barrow—we’re coming for you next!” McKinney told cheering supporters at his victory party in this suburb of Savannah. McKinney, 48, a nuclear energy project manager from Lyons, garnered over 62 percent of the vote and won 20 of 22 counties in the Republican primary runoff against Thunderbolt volunteer fire chief Carl Smith. McKinney creating jobs is the main issue of the general election campaign.

“Jobs are fleeing the 12th District, tackled by higher taxes, and our energy dependence is greater than when Barrow took his seat from a real conservative,” said McKinney in his victory speech. “We the people are tired of these politics and these job killing policies. John Barrow must go!”

Over 22,000 voters participated in the Republican congressional runoff, an 80 percent retention rate from the July 10th primary vote. McKinney pointed out the re-election results show the conservative base in the district is energized and poised to win in November. “Our campaign will be one of positive solutions. Getting my neighbors theirjobs back is priority one. My platform is simple: cut spending, cut taxes,create jobs, and protect liberty. I will get the job done.”

His opponent decided to make the long, out-of-district drive to attend the debate while Ray was represented by an empty podium. This gave Smith the perfect opportunity to focus on the issues; however, he instead used the time to spread misinformation and attack Ray – who he named and nuanced far more frequently than he ever mentioned Democrat incumbent John Barrow. Later, off camera, Carl made egregious allegations to members of the press that were an outright assault against staff members and volunteers of the McKinney campaign that were all later debunked.

Here’s an excellent post from Icarus Pundit on PeachPundit. Click here to read: Empty Podiums and Arrogance.

Here’s fact-checking Carl Smith:

Vidalia, GA—After finishing a notable first in Tuesday’s Primary Election, Ray McKinney took time to express his overwhelming gratitude to the many people who supported him.

According to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s office:

• Ray received 42.6 percent of the vote, nearly 15 percentage points higher than his nearest competitor.
• Ray carried 18 of 22 counties in the district.
• The strongest county percentage-wise was Toombs, where he received 67 percent of the vote.
• In Chatham, Ray finished in second place, just 119 votes behind the leader. That was much better than expected, since his three challengers were all from Chatham.
• 27,458 people voted in the Republican Primary compared to 16,686 in 2008. That’s an increase of nearly 40 percent!
• Turnout in the Democrat Primary was down 43 percent! In 2008, 59,190 Democrats voted compared to only 33,666 in 2010.

A McKinney victory over Barrow is very possible, but who turns out to vote is the key. What’s needed is an energized conservative base combined with support from Democrats and independents who are tired of high taxes, record deficits and high unemployment.

The Tea Party Express (website: www.TeaPartyExpress.org) announced its endorsement of Ray McKinney (R-GA) for congress today.

“Ray McKinney is a true conservative and a homegrown Georgian,” said Amy Kremer, Chairman of the Tea Party Express. “We are proud to support someone who will fight for the constitutionally conservative principles we stand for.”

McKinney is vying for the opportunity to face incumbent Democrat John Barrow in this year’s general election. Barrow has voted with Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in congress on countless times, rebuffing the conservative leanings of his district.

“We cannot stand idly by as John Barrow continues to support Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat agenda,” said Bryan Shroyer, Political Director of the Tea Party Express. “Unlike his opponent, Ray McKinney does not support bailouts or Obama’s stimulus plans, and we’re glad to support his campaign for congress.”

The Tea Party Express has been active in 2010, endorsing conservative candidates across the country.

The organization is perhaps best known for its three national Tea Party Express bus tours, with well over 100 tea party rallies taking place as part of these tours. The rallies have drawn several hundred thousand participants and featured the likes of Gov. Sarah Palin, Joe The Plumber, Rep. Michele Bachmann, conservative author and pundit Ann Coulter, Rep. Joe Wilson, and many others.

Bryan Shroyer
Political Director
Tea Party Express
Mobile:  (916) 596-0299
E-mail: Bryan@TeaPartyExpress.org
Website: www.TeaPartyExpress.org

“Garden City depends on trade and manufacturing, and I’m pleased Mayor Quinney believes I’m the best candidate to take on the Democrats in November.. I am committed to bringing about a better economy that creates jobs by reducing government spending, easing regulation, extending the Bush tax cuts, and simplifying the tax system.”

McKinney, a nuclear power project manager, an Effingham County native and former long time resident of western Chatham County, said he is very pleased with this key endorsement.

“Even liberal Democrats are admitting that Barrow is vulnerable, with one blogger saying a ‘true Republican’ will beat him in November,” said McKinney.  “President Obama’s press secretary has admitted that Democrats could lose the Congress this fall. If that’s to happen, Republicans need to win Georgia’s 12^th, and Mayor Quinney”s support will help in that goal. I’m glad that he trusts me to do what’s right.”

Vidalia, GA—Describing Republican Congressional candidate Ray McKinney as a “real fiscal conservative in the Reagan image,” Lew Uhler, president and founder of the National Tax Limitation Committee is supporting the nuclear power project manager in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District.

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Ronald Reagan; we brought about some very real fiscal change,” stated Uhler. “I see that same commitment in Ray McKinney, a true, seasoned, proven job creator. He can beat the Obama and Pelosi choice, incumbent liberal Democrat John Barrow.”

Uhler has been a pioneer at the head of national movements for tax limitation and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. The National Tax Limitation Committee is a grassroots organization devoted to limiting spending in state and federal government.

“Mr. Barrow earned a ‘D’ on the National Tax Limitation congressional scorecard for his voting record over the last two sessions,” said Uhler. “He clearly doesn’t represent the fiscal conservative dimension of the district where he’ll say one thing, but votes with Pelosi when he’s in Washington, D.C.”

McKinney said he is very pleased to have Uhler’s support.

“For over four decades, Lew Uhler has been fighting the battle to reduce taxes and cut runaway government spending,” McKinney said. “Barrow voted for bailouts, increased spending, faux budgets, and new entitlement programs which damage our economy and working families. I will work to be a tireless champion of the taxpayer. My goal is to create new jobs through a restored economy.”

That’s all well and good (after all, casework is a proper function of congressional offices) but while he congratulates himself, he fails to address legitimate concerns of his spending. For example, what about the so-called stimulus packages, supported by Barrow, that mostly funded pork projects to help get Democrat incumbents reelected?

With real unemployment approaching 20 percent, we have the right to ask John Barrow:  ”where is the $1.1 trillion you owe us?”

We need to move beyond all of the name calling and nasty politics that I see happening in this primary race. Republicans too often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with the “circular firing squads” of inter-party decision. We must make sure that in this and all primary contest that we put forth the strongest Constitutional Conservative possible for the general election in November.

We cannot afford another choice between the “lesser of the two evils” during this all important mid-term. This could be the most important election in our lifetimes. Let’s not let dirty “inside politics” and ambitious politicians distract us from what we must do to save our country.

We need 41 seats to take back the House from Nancy Pelosi. Ray McKinney is our best hope in Georgia’s 12th district. Let’s not blow it.

“Ray McKinney is the ideal conservative candidate,” said Kelly S. Eustis, Executive Director of One Nation PAC. “With a professional career in the energy industry and civic involvement as a Tea Party activist, Ray truly understands the values that Georgians and Americans are seeking in a U.S. Representative in Congress. He is the best choice to defeat vulnerable incumbent John Barrow, a tax-and-spend Democrat.”

McKinney was a candidate for the 12th Congressional District in 2008, but came in second in the Republican primary against an establishment candidate who was heavily-funded. Knowing his calling was to fight against out-of-control spending in Washington and bring the Republican Party back to its conservative roots, Ray became an activist and was once again called upon to run for Congress earlier this year.

“We are behind Ray 100% and look forward to seeing him elected this November,” said Eustis. One Nation PAC is a conservative political action committee dedicated to the ideals of lower taxes, limited government, strong national defense, energy independence, common sense healthcare, and family values.

For more information, please visit OneNationPAC.org.

McKinney received national attention last month by releasing a concise plan for resolving the gulf coast BP oil spill, earning the endorsements of two tea party-related organizations, Liberty First PAC and and One Nation PAC. Liberty First founder Eric Odom, a national tea party leader, has given his personal endorsement.

Most recently, Ray locked in an official endorsement from Tony Powers of the Augusta Tax Day Tea Party. While many tea party organizations in Georgia do not endorse candidates, local tea party activists behind Ray include Ken Baxley of Effingham County, Ann Lindholm of Chatham County, and Cheri Wagner among others.

“I guess you could say I was tea party before there really was a tea party,” said McKinney. “In the fall of 2008, I donated and worked with groups that organized on the internet to protest the bailouts and the Democrats’ refusal to pass energy legislation.“

In April 2009, McKinney was keynote speaker at the first ever Effingham County Tea Party and also that year was a featured guest at a private gathering of leaders among the free-market advocacy movement.

“I appreciate the civic involvement of tea party activists around the country,” said McKinney. “Even in the face of negative press coverage in the mainstream media, their energetic commitment to fiscal conservatism is an inspiration to all who care about the future of this country.”

McKinney recently won a debate hosted by the Vidalia Tea Party Patriots, where, in his closing remarks he said, “On July 20th, you’re going to pick one of us to take on John Barrow … and hopefully in November you’ll pick one of us to take on Nancy Pelosi.”

The Georgia primary takes place July 20th.

Our founders believed and built a system based on dialogue where issues are discussed, debated, and weighed. The US Constitution was founded on basic principles of freedom and liberty. The spirit of this document was the protection of these freedoms. They set an example that we have forgotten. They discussed, they researched, they sought the truth.

Politicians have been reviled and in many cases rightly so. They have lost their way but unfortunately anyone who runs for office now falls into the same public perception. As voters, we to have lost our way.

There is an antipathy for “politicians” at every level and many candidates, including myself, use the phrase “I am not a politician” to try and distance themselves from the others. We have turned this process on its ear. The fact is we are politicians.

We vote based on soundbites, innuendo, rumors, glitz, and catchy phrases. Instead of taking time to know our candidates we rely on the other candidate to define them for us.

We make instant assessments based on half truths or distorted “facts”. Today’s self proclaimed front runner gets 15% of the vote and comes in last next week. One candidate says the other is only in it for himself and instead of asking the other candidate why he is in the race or actually doing the research we believe what the other candidate says.

In a primary each candidate is supposed to define themselves as to why they are the best to represent their party but instead of viewing each candidate on his or her merit many of us rely on one of their opponents to tell us what they think. It’s comical that we would base our decisions about candidate A by what candidate B thinks of them. Doesn’t anyone realize if candidate B believed in candidate A then they would not be running? It’s the same as asking Boxer A if you should bet on Boxer B. How logical is that?

My point is simple. If you are frustrated with government then it is your duty to get involved in the process, become part of the solution not a continued part of the problem. If you believe in term limits then become the term limit, don’t wait for the politicians to limit themselves. Don’t vote for someone who says they are in favor of a balanced budget amendment, vote for the person who will do the right thing without an amendment. Know your candidates, research, ask questions, demand hard evidence when confronted with negative information. Rumors, gossip, and innuendo are not our friends in this process. Knowledge is.

Members of the audience filled out ballots asking who they thought won the debate: Ray received 51 votes, Carl 28, Mike 20, and Jeanne Seaver 9.

The public community event was sponsored by the Vidalia Tea Party Patriots. and Newstalk 970/WVOP.

The campaign is extremely proud to have the support of Toombs county again!

“This is a naked power grab by Mr. Barrow and his Democratic cohorts,” said McKinney. “Instead of focusing on putting Americans back to work, this bill actually kills jobs by restricting access to credit and raising taxes on banks that loan to small businesses and family farmers.”

The House-Senate conference report of H.R. 4173 passed on a party-line vote of 237-192. It is currently awaiting action by the Senate. The measure:

• Makes bailouts permanent and uses taxpayer dollars to bail out troubled firms.
• Allows firms to be designated as “too big to fail” and establishes a special regulatory structure and resolution process for certain Wall Street companies.
• Covers the $19 billion cost of the bill with TARP money and new taxes on banks.
• Creates several new government offices and agencies.
• Gives the FDIC authority to determine how and when creditors of a failed firm would be paid.

“It’s a basic tenet of free market principles that freedom to succeed must include freedom to fail,” said McKinney. “This bill takes away personal responsibility with the philosophy that some institutions are ‘too big to fail.’ So, when they make bad decisions, instead of forcing them into bankruptcy, we’re going to bail them out?”

McKinney continued: “Incredibly, the bill doesn’t even deal with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two institutions most responsible for the current financial and housing crises. The bottom line is that Barrow has voted for another tax increase and is thumbing his nose at Americans who want more jobs.”

“It’s outright dereliction of duty!” said McKinney (R-Lyons). “For the first time since the 1974 Budget Act, Congress failed to live up to one of its foremost responsibilities. House Democrats can’t continue to kick the can down the road, because we’re running out of road.”

McKinney called on Rep. Barrow to join with Republicans and other Blue Dog Democrats to pass a fiscally responsible budget before he comes home for the holiday.

“Barrow calls himself a conservative Democrat and on the campaign trail he talks about the need to get spending under control,” said McKinney. “Now is his chance to show he really believes it and that it’s more than just talk. Now is the time for Barrow to go against the wishes of the liberal Democrats controlling the House and do what’s right for Georgia and the nation.”

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, has
proposed a budget with $1.3 trillion in spending cuts, including:

• Canceling unused bailout funds
• Canceling unused “stimulus” funds
• Freezing government workers’ salaries
• Reducing the number of government employees.
• Reducing and capping discretionary spending.
• Reforming Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac.

“Failure to pass a budget undermines the nation’s economy and stymies its ability to create jobs,” said McKinney. “Congressional Democrats have no problem working on weekends and holidays to pass Obamacare, taxes on business, and more government spending. Yet it plans to go on holiday this week without passing a budget. They’ve removed all doubt where their priorities lie: big government over what’s good for the American people.”

“As a lifelong hunter, firearms collector and longtime holder of a conceal and carry permit, I’m very honored to receive the highest grade the NRA grants,” said McKinney (R-Lyons). “Congressman John Barrow also claims to be pro-Second Amendment, but he supports Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who routinely pushes to restrict the right to bear arms. When I’m elected, she won’t get a bit of support from me.”

McKinney is a member of the Georgia Conceal and Carry organization, which lobbies for Second Amendment rights. He sums up his position on the Second Amendment as “What part of ‘shall not be infringed’ do you not understand?”