Rome News-Tribune: Graves speaks to Floyd GOP about political philosophy background

With Congressman Tom Graves poised to possibly be the next representative for a new Northwest Georgia district, the Republican from Ranger visited the Floyd County Republican Party’s meeting on Saturday to address the group.
 
Graves’ discussed the importance of his Christian faith and abiding by the tenants of the Declaration of Independence, the
 
Constitution and fiscally conservatives principles.
 
“Our government is a reflection of who we are as a people ourselves,” he told the crowd at Western Sizzlin’.
 
Graves was raised in Bartow County and later moved to Ranger after he married his wife, Julie, while he was working in the private sector in finance.
 
As far as his political background, it began in 2002 when he first ran for the state Legislature. He said he won with the help and friendship of State Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville. When it came time for Loudermilk to run, Graves was more than happy to help him.
 
“I was helping Barry go door to door,” Graves said. “We were here in Floyd County and we were riding together. We pulled up to this one particular house and I said ‘Barry you need to hit this one,’ because we’d been alternating. He jumps out and gets halfway to the door and this big dog comes running out.”
 
Graves said he knows all too well the challenges the nation faces in the coming months and years, and asked for the support of the GOP members in Floyd County.
 
“We face some tremendous challenges,” he said. “It’s amazing to see the statistics and the numbers and see where we are as a nation. I can tell you, and I’m sure Phil (Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta) has shared this with you, that the future is really dependent on what happens in the next couple of months and maybe the year.”
 
Graves wrapped up his speech by expressing concern about where the country is headed.
 
“Each and every day, it’s shifting just a little bit more,” Graves said. “Every stimulus, every bailout, every buyout, every new program, every new agency, that erases just a little bit more liberty from each and everyone of our lives here.”