home / blog

Tom's Blog

Read the latest entries on Tom's Blog.

Election Night Party at HQ

Pull
Election Night Victory Party at HQ

Tuesday August 10, 2010
7:30pm
103 Kelly Mill Rd.
Cumming GA

BBQ from Brasstown Pork
Smoked and Pulled by Ferguson's Meat Market
Sides From SmokeJack Southern Grill

Come to Graves Headquarters to watch the returns
and celebrate as we re-elect Congressman Tom Graves

RSVP to Anne Marie Sutherland at
annemarie@gravesforcongress.org

Posted: August 2nd, 2010 | Permalink

Strongly Opposed to Animal Abuse

In recent days, you may have received an email from my challenger criticizing a vote I made last week in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding H.R. 5566, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010.

As one who lives on a farm in Ranger, Georgia, and who has horses, raised cattle and consider my dogs Nilla and Moose along with our cats, Snickers, Wally and Oreo part of our family, I am a strongly opposed to animal abuse.

However, the legislation I voted on last week falls short in preventing animal abuse, as well as, it does not fall within the constitutionally, limited role of the federal government.

For the past 62 weeks, I have been campaigning and said if given the opportunity to represent you in Washington, I would read each piece of legislation and apply my 5-Way Conservative Test prior to voting in the U.S. House.

Unlike many of my colleagues in the Congress, I read this bill and found that it did not clear the first hurdle of my 5-Way Conservative Test: Adherence to the Constitution.

Nowhere in the Constitution is this authority given to the federal government. This is a state issue and that is why every state in the nation has laws on the books against animal cruelty. This is why I voted the way I did.

In addition, I opposed this legislation because it no way makes it a crime to harm any animals or film animals being harmed or punish those that actually film these heinous acts. All this legislation does is criminalize the sale, offer to sell, distribute or offer to distribute videos or images of animal cruelty, but only if it is traded across state lines.

While I've never seen any of these types of videos, I am completely disgusted by the thoughts of these horrible acts.

As mentioned before, every state in the Nation, including the state of Georgia already has laws on the books that make it a crime to harm or abuse animals.

Robust enforcement of existing law by law enforcement would be more than sufficient to reduce or eliminate animal cruelty, without requiring an expansion of the all powerful federal government.

My challenger says he is a "Constitutionalist" and "believes in the Constitution." Unlike him, I am under oath not just to "believe in the Constitution," but to uphold and defend the Constitution no matter the subject being considered... whether it is ObamaCare, bailouts, buyouts or animal videos.

I did not seek your trust to only cast the easy votes in Congress. And I will not shy away from the tough votes no matter how difficult they may be.

If we're going to get this country back on track, we must adhere to a limited government and a Constitutional foundation, no matter the issue, all the while, rejecting "Constitutional convenience."

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you on this important matter.

Posted: July 26th, 2010 | Permalink

Memorandum Regarding Primary Election Results

TO:                 Interested Parties

FROM:           Graves for Congress

RE:                 Primary Election Results

Congressman Tom Graves’ solid first place finish in the Republican primary election on Tuesday shows that his message is resonating with voters in the 9th District.

Congressman Graves has been the top finisher in all three races, indicating North Georgians are happy with his conservative philosophy and voice representing them in Washington.

Despite a crowded field of six quality candidates on the ballot, Congressman Graves exceeded all expectations when he came within 419 votes of winning the primary election outright.

A few interesting points on the unofficial results:

•   Congressman Graves received 49.5% of the vote with 38,823 votes in the primary.

•   Congressman Graves outpolled his runoff challenger by 22.8%. That is over 10 points higher than May 11th Special Election.

•   Congressman Graves won 13 of 15 counties in the district, only losing Lee Hawkins’ and Steve Tarvin’s home counties. In the May 11th Special Election, Graves won 11 of the 15 counties.

•   Congressman Graves won Catoosa, Dawson and Lumpkin counties, all three counties had been won by our opponents in the previous elections.

•   Congressman Graves increased his percentage from the May 11th Special Election by 14.1%. His runoff challenger only increased his percent by 3.5%.

•   Congressman Graves increased his vote totals in all 15 counties compared to the June 8th Special Runoff Election. However, his challenger in the runoff actually lost votes in 8 of the 15 counties.

•   Despite an increase turnout of over 6,600 votes in his runoff challenger’s home county of Hall, Congressman Graves maintained his 38.9% of the vote, while his opponent’s percentage decreased by 10.3%

•   Congressman Graves’ strongest county percentage wise was Gordon County, where he received 76% of the vote.

•   Congressman Graves won Forsyth County by a 2-1 margin over our runoff challenger, for the second time in three elections.

•   Congressman Graves broke 70% in two counties, 60% in two counties and 50% in three counties.

•   Congressman Graves has now carried every county in the 9th Congressional District except Hall County.

Posted: July 21st, 2010 | Permalink

Election Night Watch Party

ELECTION NIGHT
WATCH PARTY

JULY 20, 2010
7:30PM UNTIL
light hors d'oeuvres & beverages

103 Kelly Mill Road
Cumming, GA 30040

RSVP to annemarie@gravesforcongress.org

Posted: July 14th, 2010 | Permalink

Join Tom Aboard the Island Princess

You are cordially invited to join

BJ and Paul Hallock - Honorary Commodores

along with Hosts
Chris and Tom Crawford
Nanci and Dave Ebbing
Peggy and Jim Walters

and Sponsors
Anne and Dr. Glynn Bergeron
Susie and Ray Debrincat
Dr. Bill Morrison

on an evening cruise on beautiful Lake Lanier aboard (air conditioned) 150 passenger

"Island Princess"

in support of July 20th Primary election candidate

Congressman Tom Graves
Georgia's 9th District

Tuesday, July 6, 2010
7:00pm "All Board"
7:30pm Cruise

Congressman Graves, member U.S. House Transportation Committee. will update on Lake Lanier and waters issues in North Georgia

9:30pm Return to Port

Lake Lanier Islands Resort
7000 Holiday Road- Buford, Georgia

Cruise, Hors d'oeuvres, Drinks!

$250 individual/couple

RSVP: Anne Marie Sutherland (770) 519-4019
annemarie@gravesforcongress.org
or
Dave Ebbing (770) 287-3510
dodgerdke@aol.com

Posted: July 1st, 2010 | Permalink

McHenry Reception

You are cordially invited to join the host committee

Mr. Jack Bandy
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Boring
Mr. Carl Bouckaert
Mr. Craig Brock
Mr. Acey Cronen
Mr. C.J. Dodd
Mr. and Mrs. Chip Howalt
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kinard
Mr. and Mrs. H. Phillip Neff
Mayor David Pennington

at a reception to support July 20th primary election candidate

Congressman Tom Graves

with special guest

Congressman Patrick McHenry

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 5:00-6:30 p.m.
The Dalton Freight Depot City of Dalton Visitor Center
305 South Depot Street ~ Dalton, Georgia

Congressional Level $2,400 ~ Host Level $1,000 ~ Sponsor Level $500 Attendee Level $250
RSVP Anne Marie Sutherland 770-519-4019
annemarie@gravesforcongress.org

Checks may be made to “Graves for Congress” and mailed to 103 Kelly Mill Rd, Cumming, GA 30040 (or brought to the door).