Beat the Polls or let them beat you

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To: John Shadegg's Friends

From: John Shadegg

This morning's headlines in the Arizona Republic and Wall Street Journal, which I'm sure are repeated all over the nation, proclaim a "Big Lead for Obama and Dems."

The story below illustrates how every Republican should respond. The detail makes it come to life. After you've read it, please forward it to every conservative friend you know.

It's absolute fact: In 1980, Conservative Republican Congressman Steve Symms challenged longtime liberal incumbent Frank Church for his Senate seat in Idaho. The race was intense. The Sunday before Election Day, Symms walked into his headquarters and noticed everyone in the building looked down. He spoke to several, and the defeatist attitude was overwhelming.

Finally, Symms asked his campaign manager what was going on. The manager asked if Symms had read the Idaho Statesman, the biggest paper in town and statewide. Symms responded that of course he had. His manager asked if Symms had read the poll; he said he had.

He then explained to Symms that everyone in the building, all of them dedicated volunteers, had given months of their lives helping Symms defeat Church, perhaps the most liberal member of the entire Senate. They were down because the poll in the Sunday morning paper showed Church beating Symms by 11 points. They were convinced their efforts were in vain, the candidate they believed in couldn't win now, and Church would return to the Senate.

Symms responded with shock: "that's it?" Symms instructed everyone to gather in one room. When they did, he spoke to the assembled group. Symms explained the paper hated him and wouldn't publish a poll showing him close, much less winning, if the paper's owners' lives depended on it!

He then t old them: "I'm not going to lose to Church by 11 points; I'm going beat him by double digits!" He said they needed to get back to work because they were on the verge of a huge victory for the conservative movement! Re-inspired, they worked harder than
ever!

On Election Day, Symms defeated Church. Steve Symms moved to the U.S. Senate and Church left, because Symms knew he could choose to let the polls beat him or he could beat the polls. He chose to beat the polls!

Every McCain supporter in America (as well as the supporters of all the conservative candidates for the House and Senate) needs to decide, are you going to let the polls beat you or are you going to beat the polls?

We can, and will, win if you make the right decision. Today is the most important day in this election by far! Don't just sit there! Work at a phone bank, walk your neighborhood and hand out literature today (we have lots left and so does your favorite candidate), volunteer to drive voters to the polls.

At an absolute minimum, talk to your friends and co-workers.

Personal conversations with people you know have been proven to be the single most important influence in every election. The consequences of this election will be with us for years. They are far too great not to get involved and go to work, now! Win or lose, it is up to you, not John McCain, not Sarah Palin, not me or the candidate you most care about.

It's now up to you! Thanks!

John Shadegg

P.S.Symms didn't win by double digits; he beat Frank Church by nine tenths of one percentage point. PPS Please forward this along to inspire everyone you know.

PAID FOR BY JOHN SHADEGG'S FRIENDS