While GOP candidates and party faithful focus on who can best beat President Obama in November, Craig Copland is rallying conservatives to take over the country - one dog catcher at a time.

"In November 2012 we can take back the White House, majority control of the Senate, more governors' offices, scores of state legislative seats, and countless local level offices," says Copland, author of the just released 2012 Conservative Election Handbook (www.conservawiki.com), a guide to winning campaigns at any level.

"It doesn't start with the office of president," he says. "That's where it ends."

Citizens who want to see conservative governance and policies throughout the fabric of the United States can make it happen by running for local office or volunteering campaign help for conservative candidates, Copland says.

"There are 600,000-plus elected offices in this country," he says. "If America is to remain a beacon of freedom and prosperity, then conservatives need to be elected as county clerks, judges, water commissioners, mayors, school board trustees, state legislators, and every other rank of public office in the country."

His new guide, researched and written with insights gleaned from his years of managing political and non-profit campaigns, lays out clear instructions for both political veterans and newbies, stepping up to do their part for the conservative cause.

Among them: Some foolish ways to lose an election.

• Sex: Voters will forgive divorce; they won't forgive active adultery. Don't get carried away by the headiness and pressures of the campaign trail and screw up.

• Lies: Do not lie. Not about anything. You will always be found out. Your credibility will be attacked. You will lose.

• Videotape: Once you become a public figure, everything you say will be on the public record - somewhere. If not on videotape, then audiotape, in print, or in a notebook. Emails, Facebook posts and tweets live forever. So be consistent, think before you speak, and don't let your guard down. It will reappear at the worst possible time.

• Do NOT Break the rules: Every election, every state, every district and every campaign will be faced with a staggering list of rules. Learn them. Follow them. Bring accountants and lawyers on board who are experienced with the rules. If you are caught breaking even one, it could derail your campaign.

• Avoid conflicts of interest: Never let yourself be caught supporting a political action in which you have an obvious interest. Voters will respect a candidate who believes in something because it's the right thing. But if you appear to be lining your pockets, it's game over.

• Do NOT fight losing battles: Don't waste a nickel or a minute trying to appeal to the group trying to repeal marijuana laws - they'll never vote for you. And you're not going to win a precinct that voted 90 percent liberal in the last election. Focus your time and money where you can make a difference in the vote.

Raising money, of course, is a big part of winning a campaign, but it doesn't take a lot to win a less dazzling local office. It's a good place to learn the ropes of fundraising and get some practice running a campaign without a lot of pressure, he says. And there's value in winning even the most down-ballot office.

"If conservatives set out to win every elected post in the country, all 600,000-plus of them, then America will be a truly conservative country," he says, "from dogcatcher to president."

About Craig Copland

Dear Patriot,

You may have already heard that I have officially endorsed Newt Gingrich for President of the United States.  My personal support for Speaker Gingrich does not alter or diminish my full support and endorsement of the American people ("We the People"), the ones who are truly the leaders of this great nation.

I put a lot of thought and prayer into this momentous decision and it is not something I have taken lightly. In addition to recently endorsing "We the People" I decided to publicly announce my support for an individual candidate because I believe the times dictate the importance. Once my internal decision of support was made, I wanted to let my friends and supporters know who I believe holds the closest positions to the ones I promoted during my campaign, including the support of my 9-9-9 Plan to spur economic growth.

I have great respect for all the candidates, but I believe Newt Gingrich is the best candidate to debate and defeat Barack Obama. While you and I may not agree with him on everything, we all share the same overall values and principles, and I believe Speaker Gingrich will make us proud as he represents us not only as the Republican nominee, but as President. 

I have always tried to promote bold and innovative ideas to solve our nation's problems. Newt Gingrich is also unafraid to support bold and innovative ideas, evidenced by his record. Both of us have shown a willingness and ability to buck the system to get things done. 

Now it is time for YOU to buck the system to get things done! Now is the time for the citizens' movement to come together and unite.  We must not let establishment rhetoric divide us.  We must stay focused on solutions and on truly solving the problems that face our country, including the problem of our burdensome tax code, which together we can overhaul through the implementation of my 9-9-9 Plan. We must stay focused and united on solutions!

You were very generous and supportive during my campaign, and it is my hope that you will consider doing the same now as we continue to build the momentum for my Solutions Revolution!

The liberal media attacks with a vengeance those outside the establishment. They do so because they know that outside-the-box leadership and innovative solutions threaten their power base.  We can't let them beat us!  "We the People" are still in charge of this country!

This Solutions Revolution is our chance to send a message that we are done with gutter politics and back-room deals. This is an opportunity for us to send a message to Washington, to the media, and to the political elites that "We the People" are in charge of this country and we are fed-up with politics as usual. We want results!

I cannot do this alone. I need your help.  This nation needs your help. Will you join me in bringing forth bold solutions to cut through the political double-speak? Will you join me in helping to build a nation of citizen leaders, all of whom will get involved to help our country become the beacon of hope and prosperity that it once was? 

Please consider sending your most generous gift today, which will help us promote the simple, efficient, and fair 9-9-9 Plan, Monetary Reform, and Regulatory Reform, in addition to other major solutions that will help our nation.

Remember folks, this is not about us. It is about the grandchildren. Let's unite together and create a revolution of brains and ballots that will secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.  Join me in this Solutions Revolution!

Thank you.  Together, we ARE America!

Herman Cain 

P.S.  You may be unaware that I gave the Tea Party response to the President's State of the Union address last week.  The liberal media and the Washington establishment tried to silence the message and it was not covered on network television.  Click here to watch a video about my speech.

You can see what we are up against.  Please send your most generous gift today to help us with the Solutions Revolution!

Dear Friends,

I know that most of you, as well as the media, are focused on the heated presidential election, but we can't lose sight of something that is as important as winning the White House - taking control of the Senate!

The Tea Party Express, the nation's largest tea party political action committee, is proud to announce its endorsement of Ted Cruz in his campaign for the U.S. Senate in the state of Texas.

November 2012 will go down in history as the defining election of our lives. With the White House and Senate up for grabs and the future of our nation hanging by a thread, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TAKE BACK CONTROL AND RESTORE THE PINCIPLES THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED ON!

Rock Island, IL - January 24, 2012 - Jonathan Wallace, candidate for State Representative in the 72nd District, released the follow statement about fourth quarter fundraising totals:

"While we formed our committee after all the other challengers, we are proud to report the most individual contributors," said Wallace. "Numerous individual contributors and in-kind donations show a great multitude of people contributing rather than a few special interests."

Wallace raised $10,992.04, $7300 in-kind contributions and $3692.04 in total receipts.  Of the total receipts $2442.04 are contributions under $250.

"Two-thirds of our receipts have come from small, grassroots contributions," said Rafe Thrasher, Treasurer for Wallace for Illinois.  "The demographics of our contributors show that people are clearly fed up with Pat Verschoore and his tax increases."

Wallace added, "Our grassroots organization has become a well-oiled machine with a campaign office, staff, and an extensive volunteer list. We will continue to raise money to spread our message of individual liberty and fiscal responsibility in a State sorely lacking in both."

Jonathan Wallace is the new person running for State Representative in the 72nd District.

For more information about Wallace visit http://www.jonathanwallace2012.com.

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