TORONTO, December 2, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – US political wiz, Dr. Ralph Reed, addressing a Toronto gathering of religious and other social conservative leaders Nov. 30, urged them to organize effectively and on Jan. 23 “usher in the greatest victory in the history of this country.”
Dr. Reed, was senior adviser for President George W. Bush’s election campaign and as executive director of the Christian Coalition built the most influential grassroots organization in recent U.S. politics. He was invited to address the Wednesday evening banquet of the three day 2005 Canadian Values – Embrace Democracy conference organized by the Institute for Canadian Values.
The banquet was attended by a wide range of leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups and leaders of social conservative advocacy organizations such as Campaign Life Coalition and Canada Family Action Coalition (co-sponsors of the event).
Reed warned his listeners, “We’re not trying to change a church into a political party, and we’re not trying to change a political party into a church, but if the people of the church don’t get involved, somebody else will.” He followed with some tips on how to win an election.
“How are you gonna do it?” he rhetorically asked and gave four points.“Number one”, he emphasized, “you have to build a grassroots organization that will touch every single voter in the country between now and election day”. Point two was “train your people to be effective”. Next was set and meet “achievable goals” and lastly Reed told the assembled group of leaders anxious to influence this crucial election that they had to work very hard “to get out the vote”.
His very attentive listeners were challenged by Reed to “get on your work boots and tennis shoes and go out there like it all depends on you, pray like it all depends on God and let’s usher in the greatest victory in the history of this country.”
A few Conservative candidates from the Toronto region also attended the event, including Ontario PC Jim Flaherty, John Carmichael, Rondo Thomas, Michael Mostyn, and Tim Dobson.