Always Finish Hard
By: BJ Lawson
In the immortal words of Bill Galloway, weight training and football coach at Lakeland High School: “Always finish hard.”
This simple credo from high school weight training accurately sums up the efforts of our fantastic team during the weeks of early voting. Thanks to a dedicated team, we staffed every allowable early voting station, and as the lines grew, so did our enthusiasm.
Not all the works was done during the daytime, however. Folks worked the night shift to prepare materials and sift through data to prioritize our efforts, as well:
Throughout early voting, we worked hard, played fair, and talked with thousands of voters. My favorite footage came from driving around the district and capturing video earlier in the week:
Getting to the end of the week, a final batch of 10,000 Constitutions disappeared in three days — voter after voter thanked us for acknowledging the deeply-held concern that something is wrong with our government, and expressed gratitude for reawakening the vision of what is possible if we indeed “follow the rules” with a government that serves the people.
The last day of early voting really summed it up. After rotating between popular polling stations earlier in the week, I focused all of my efforts at Cedar Creek in Morrisville on Saturday. I arrived before the polls opened at 10am, and found the closest parking about a quarter mile away in the adjoining neighborhood.
The line was about an hour and forty minutes when voting started. The day was a blur, but I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing the end of the line at about 5:30 as the last folks rounded the corner. Over seven hours of talking, listening, and shaking hands — with lots of pleasant surprises along the way.
We’re closing in on election day, and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken our campaign to this point. Special thanks to everyone who has donated to make the campaign possible, volunteered to work the polls during early voting, and those who will be working again on Tuesday.
We have the right message, at the right time. While other campaigns seek to divide the electorate and pit us against each other in the quest for 50% plus one vote, we seek to unite our District with a government that serves the people instead of corporate interests. While other campaigns hide behind personal attacks and divisive partisan rhetoric, we recognize that we are all Americans, and all on the same team to the extent we embrace the freedom and responsibility provided by our Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
This election is critical, and our job as citizens does not end on November 4th. We are not electing a king on election day. We are electing a president to head our Executive Branch, and Representatives and Senators to serve us in our Legislative Branch. Regardless of the results, this election must be about accountability. It is time to remind our elected representatives that our government derives its power by consent of the governed. Our leaders must be held accountable for their actions, and judged by their ability to advance a federal government that follows the Constitution and serves the people instead of corporate interests.
Ultimately, we must work to take back our country by taking back our District. We will be working tirelessly through this election to carry this message of principled change, and we’ll leave everything on the field on Tuesday.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Amazing, amazing.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
A government that follows the rules and serves the people…..imagine that!
We cannot stop until we get our country back.
BJ, thanks for your sacrifice, putting yourself out there, and most of all for “the message” of liberty, accountability, and restoration of principled government that upholds and respects our Constitution. It’s been a privilege being out there spreading the word on your behalf.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Great Job!
Everyone who volunteers for BJ or donates to his campaign is a HERO
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
God willing, we’re sending in a strong young legislatative soldier to fight beside you Dr. Paul.
Hold the flag high BJ!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
I can’t believe election day is finally here!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
I’m an out of stater (Oregon) constitutionalist that donated to BJ’s campaign. Its great to see guys like him starting to run for office and start trying to make government what is was intended to be. Go BJ!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
I have said a prayer for you every night since the primaries. Hopefully, I’ll say a prayer for Congressman Lawson on November 5th.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 am
BJ and Crew,
Gentlemen. This is the end game for the campaign. In a few hours it will be over.
As a long time observer, I am proud to have donated money and called in what little social capital I have to support Lawson For Congress. You have not let us down.
Best,
James H.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:10 am
BJ,
You and your staff have given hope to a lot of people, that a campaign based on integrity and substance can succeed. You’re an inspiration to anyone who cares about liberty, and I hope that your example inspires many more citizens to challenge the professional pork-barrelers in their own districts.
-jcr
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 am
It occurs to me, that separately from any political campaign, it would be a fine thing to make an organization to educate people about the constitution, which would give out the same kind of pocket-sized copies that you have, to anyone who promises to read it.
I’d love to see what happens to American politics if even 10% of the people in the country had read the constitution and the declaration of independence, and understood their meaning and their historical significance.
-jcr
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 am
I hope you get it… You rock.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 am
BJ, campaign staff, and volunteers,
Thanks for you hard work and great sacrifice. I’m proud that I donated my money and time helping fellow patriotic americans spread the message of liberty. You’ve all been an inspiration to many around the country and surely our numbers will grow because of your efforts.
Josh D.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:59 am
Thanks BJ! You have worked so hard and had a great campaign. Whether you win or not, your run has been such an encouragement.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
There is such an organization that educates people about the Constitution and its core values of life and liberty– Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty which is Dr. Paul’s organization formed from the excess in campaign donations he received on his presidential run. An organization that espouses a return to the fundamentals of the way the country is governed must be political in nature.
http://www.campaignforliberty.com
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
I LIVE IN THE WORST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY ( THE 9TH OF TENNESSEE) IT HAS BEEN DEMOCRAT, WILL BE DEMOCRAT, AND WILL ALWAYS BE RUN BY DEMOCRATS. CRIME IS RAMPANT. THANK GOD FOR SOMEONE LIKE DR LAWSON WHO IS THE ONE WHO HAS GIVEN ME SOME HOPE THIS ELECTION
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
BJ:
This post is a reminder of why I became a supporter of yours nearly a year ago now. Your compassion for others, your passion for change and your dedication to governing done right are inspiring.
We have less than 24 hours left until the polls open…and your army of volunteers will be there when they do. People are being convinced…the Obama-Straight-Flip folks seem to be making exceptions for you…its an encouraging thing to see.
Change has been such a hot button word in this election…on Tuesday I hope that voters in the 4th district will vote for the TRUE changemaker in this election, Dr. William (BJ) Lawson.
Best to you,
Justin
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
I feel the need to reply to Ed Owen:
I am sorry to hear about the corruption in your 9th District of Tennessee. Let’s remember though that there are countless examples of corruption in both the Republican and Democrat camps. Our country is suffering severely from a leadership deficit. The Lawson campaign is not about dividing the parties, but uniting all Americans!
It has been a privilege to serve this campaign and work among a truly inspiring group of people. I look forward to seeing and celebrating with all of you at the finish line. We have so much to be proud of.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 am
Ron & I had a great time at the Lake Lynn polling place. People were very open and receptive to the material. Even the democrat volunteers we spoke with had a high opinion of Dr. Lawson and many of them were voting for him.
We are behind you all the way and feel honored and blessed to be a part of your campaign.
Peace,
Sharon & Ron Ward
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Congratulations to all the hard workers on the Lawson campaign.
I’m an American working abroad who has traditionally voted democrat. My interest in the Ron Paul campaign and most recently B.J.’s led me to understand this movement transcends party politics. Like our founding fathers, who saw the constitution as that critical foundation on which all policy and all politicians should hinge, I see a new generation turning from those partisan interests that would lead us to a quagmire abroad and bankruptcy (moral as well) at home.
When I think of what can be, I see Dr. Paul, B.J. Lawson and a sheer wave of energetic and inspirational supporters who joined this campaign for liberty and I am genuinely comforted in knowing the hope my country needs isn’t lost…it’s just beginning.
I wish I could be there in person, but was happy to donate what I could to this campaign. I look forward to coming home next year and getting involved at the local level to bring about change. My thoughts are with you all. Good luck!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
I also donated to the campaign all the way from Portland Oregon. I wish we had someone up here that I could volunteer for. You guys are so lucky down there to have someone like BJ running for office!
Sean
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Sometimes you just KNOW you are in the right place at the right time…..and then events occur that add explanation mark!
I live 90 miles away from Cary, and I can not vote for B. J….so I donated money and encouraged others to do so. Also, for the past two weekends I drove down to his district to help in any way I could. Some folks questoned this long drive considering I could NOT even vote for B. J.
Anyway, Last weekend I passed out constitutions and Lawson literature at an early voting area on 15-501. This past Saturday, I was there again for about and 1 1/2 hours. After being relieved by another Lawson volunteer, myself and another supporter that needed a ride headed over to Lawson campaign headquarters.
As this fellow supporter and I were driving back to HQ, we chatted about how we had come to get involved in BJ’s campaign. Both of us had come by way of Ron Paul. As a matter of fact we had both been at the Rally for the Republic in Minnesota in early Sept.
Interesting, but, not significant you might think? Well, at the Rally there were several young men recognized for their amazing trek. from Wisconsin to Minnesota. These young men had walked from Wisconsin to Minnesota passing out Constituions along the way and spreading the word about Campaigin For Liberty, Ron Paul, ending the fed., etc.
I remember applauding them, as they stood to be recognized. They were seated right in front of me. Two of them were brothers, and their mother was seated in the same row as me only 2 seats away. It was obvious that she was proud of their accomplishment. These men were just part of the total 18,000 + attendees there to hear Ron Paul. I think I may have even shaken their hands. But, their faces….I could never had picked them out of a crowd again in my life.
Well, Michael, the young man I was giving a ride was ONE of those dedicated young men. I felt struck by the IMPACT of this. What was the likelyhood that our paths would ever cross again in just a few short months? So, I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I was supposed to be there in Cary, helping BJ and driving 90 miles was nothing compared to what Michael and hs buds have done. You see, Michael traveled here from Hawaii!
We all have to do our part to see that sincere, Constitution loving, honest pepple like B. J. Lawson are elected, to Congress, to the Senate, and also to local positions IF we are ever going to institute change.
Sometimes, we may need a nudge to get us going,……and sometimes we receive it!
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
It has been an honor volunteering with BJ and the campaign. Through the volunteer outreach program I have spoken to many people across the nation who support BJ. It has been a remarkable experience hearing their stories of the actions they are taking in their own areas. Many of them are involved in Campaign for liberty, and through it are supporting other liberty minded individuals running for office. Never in my life have I paid this much attention to a congressional race, let alone in a state I don’t live in. I have come to realize how aware people are becoming of the change that needs to be taken in Washington, and how much of a difference average people like you and I can make. Dr. Lawson is an average person like you and I, and just look at what he has accomplished with this campaign! This is truly just the beginning. Lets continue our fight for BJ, and others like him. We know what needs to be done, lets get out there and do it!
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
BJ,
I have been following your campaign very closely from all the way out in Minnesota. I have said it once and I will say it again: this is thee most important campaign this year. It is a campaign of honesty, openness, motivation, energy, and so much more. After reading your latest post, I am again inclined to say thank you to everyone out there working on your campaign. There are thousands across the country that wish we could be there, passing out constitutions and talking to others about what kind of change WE believe in. I hope for all the best today and tomorrow.
-David
http://www.davidcarlsonpolitics.com
November 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I donated to Mr Lawson and from Missouri—just wanted to let folks know that they are spending the bailout money on everything but the bailout. Didnt expect anything else from congress.
http://cbs11tv.com/local/fannie.mae.investigation.2.855510.html