We have written about this before (HERE) … but it seems time for a reminder.
The #1 mistake we see new people and groups getting involved in the political process … the mistake we made ourselves (so not judging) … is people confuse “Power” with “Access”.
Access “feels” nice. You are listened to, you have a seat at the table, your phone calls are returned … they say nice things about you … but access really means you are “Never being perceived as a threat.” You may think you are friends with these people … but as President Truman said, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog!
Power however is actually getting a politician to do what you want them to do … even if that is as simple as getting them to do what they said they would do on the campaign trial … or to simply follow the Republican Platform.
[NOTE: Another novice “misunderstanding” is thinking people / politicians / GOP officials would never just outright lie to your face. Trust no one!!! Verify everything!!! Good people don’t mind you asking questions. Know that these people lie constantly.]
MAKING THE HARD “ASK”: But wait until you ask a legislator to do something … the basics … like provide us with Medical Freedom, take PORN Books out of our libraries and schools … or God forbid you ask them to give us CLOSED PRIMARIES!!!
Ask them specifically what they will do, and all of a sudden you will learn there are 1,000 “excuses” … and you will know the difference between “political access” and “political power”.
We have seen it with SCHOOL CHOICE. Kids are needlessly suffering, it is an easy fix, and even the most far right school choice supporters cower at the prospect of crossing the “establishment”. They know the issue, yet they won’t speak up. That is when you know their true character.
Once you ask for something objectively right to do, but against the power structure … you will find out real quick your “access” means nothing. We did!!!
Your phone calls will no longer be returned. You will finally understand that politicians only care about getting elected or re-elected … and you will learn that unless you have the ability to REPLACE THEM, what you want for “We The People” really won’t matter if what you ask for is “hard”.
On the wall at HQ:
“You have to be politically FEARED to be politically RESPECTED.”
As we stated the last time we discussed this topic … if you don’t see it yet, you will, so just give it time and keep asking questions.
But if you are still excited to get a “selfie” with Lindsey Graham, you are probably reading the wrong daily emails and might want to unsubscribe. 😉
RUN FOR OFFICE
It is time friends!!! We are seeing PATRIOTS all over South Carolina starting to announce campaigns against incumbents.
285 days until the June 11th, 2024 Primary Election Day.
If you are running for office, thinking about it, or just have some questions … let us know at team@mySCGOP.com.
It is going to be an exciting 2024 election season!!!
Unity of mission through humility, mutual respect and patience while recognizing boundaries and being able to put mission first creates a path to success in any undertaking. By stepping away from toxic behavior you model humility, refusing to contribute to gossip or drama protecting your character and influence. The scripture’s call to “make every effort” acknowledges that unity and peace require intentional mission oriented work, especially in a polarized environment.
” Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:2-3
To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), governments and leaders are part of His sovereign plan, even if imperfect. Our leaders’ responsibility is to govern justly, as their authority is a divine trust.
Coffee & Politics – August 22nd, 2025 – YouTube (HERE), RUMBLE (HERE) & X (HERE)
Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.
As we head into the 2026 South Carolina Primaries next June 9th, Republican (and Democrat) voters will be faced with picking which Republican (or Democrat) they want to represent them in the general election. It will be a choice we each have to make among the available options … the 2, 3 or 5 candidates that filed and are on the ballot … and there is no “None Of The Above” option. Sure, you don’t have to vote … but don’t complain later when you sat out the election.
We are seeing already … the jockeying by political consultants and their operatives to push their candidate (and tear down the opponents) … and the “PERFECTIONISTS” that complain about every candidate, but offer no solutions (and are not willing to run for office themselves).
A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH: Selection of a candidate to support is not easy. None of them are perfect, and how much can you really believe from what you hear on the campaign trail. What we like to encourage is that everyone think critically and logically about candidates and their campaigns, and steer clear as best you can of the emotional knee-jerk reactions that often dominate the discussions.
IT IS NOT JUST THE CANDIDATE – LOOK AT THEIR TEAM: While it’s tempting to focus solely on the candidate, it’s equally important to examine the people they surround themselves with. If you’re unaware of a candidate’s consultants (and their motivations), staff (and their roles), or the candidate’s supporters (who will inevitable have the ear of the candidate), it’s wise to hold off on offering your support. Ultimately, it’s not just about the candidate—it’s about their TEAM (or the “baggage” that comes with them).
We like to prioritize two key qualities when evaluating candidates:
(#1) Electability: A candidate (a) willing to run for office and (b) capable of winning. You may know the “perfect” person, but if they won’t run for office or are not capable of winning … what good are they?
(#2) Collaboration and Integrity: A candidate open to working with The People, with the grassroots, willing to listen, eager to include The People as part of their TEAM, and genuinely committed to doing what’s objectively right for the people—not just themselves (or their monied special interest backers). Here is where experience and judgment comes into consideration because you really don’t know what a candidate might do once elected. We have helped candidates get elected – and then never spoken with them again (not by our choice). Being lied to is a hard lesson to learn.
This process of selecting a candidate to back is both an art and a science, and while we may never find the “perfect” candidate, we can identify and support those who meet these two criteria and give us the best odds of promoting the conservative cause … at least until the next election when we will have another chance to try again.
THE TRUMP OF 2016: Reflecting on the field of “candidates” in 2016 … and the original “candidate” DONALD J. TRUMP … I believe that original candidate TRUMP, embodied these qualities, and that approach has proven effective in helping Save America.
STOP LOOKING FOR A “POLITICAL SAVIOR”: Most importantly, let’s remember, no candidate will save us. There is only one true “Savior”, and He is not running for office. Our work continues, so don’t think you are off the hook if your person gets elected. But having the right people – dedicated TEAM players – in elected positions from top to bottom can make all the difference.
Be smart … be logical … don’t be emotional … and don’t just complain, complain, complain.
Dum spiro spero (“While I breathe, I hope”)
Best,
Jeff Davis, JD, MBA, CPA(GA) Chairman & Co-Founder, mySCGOP.com Chairman, Greenville County Republican Party jeff@apogeetax.com 843-901-8036 (cell)
The NANCY MACE campaign released polling numbers yesterday showing a commanding early lead in the South Carolina Governor’s Race … 25% MACE, 17% Alan Wilson, 10% Ralph Norman, 6% Pamela Evette, 3% Josh Kimbrell … with 38% Lean / Undecided. You can see the full reports HERE & below.
The polling results show MACE separating herself from the crowd since officially launching her candidacy last week and announcing AUSTIN MCCUBBIN (HERE), the 2024 TRUMP Team Statewide Director, has joined her team. This all seems to make MACE the early odds on favorite to win the Republican Primary next June 9th, 2026 … 294 days from today.
You can find more details on FITSNews (HERE & on X HERE) … but the real story broke when President TRUMP himself shared the MACE Polling Lead on his TRUTH Social (HERE) last night at 9:29pm. When the POTUS shares your leading polling data with the world … that is a not so subtle message.
Good news for NANCY MACE … but and incredibly bad sign for Lt. Governor Pamela Evette who is in a distant 4th with 6% of the vote. The Lt. Governor has led folks to believe she has TRUMP’s endorsement locked up. Well, that claim did not seem believable at the time … and really doesn’t appear believable now. When was the last time TRUMP endorsed someone in 4th place??? We can’t remember either.
Stay tuned … it is going to be a fun 2026 primary season!!!
Governments and leaders are part of His sovereign plan, even if imperfect. Our leaders’ responsibility is to govern justly, as their authority is a divine trust. All authority is ultimately accountable to God. We always encourage and expect politicians and leaders on ANY level to act with integrity, knowing their role carries divine responsibility, and most importantly we urge ourselves and other citizens to hold leaders and their followers accountable to those ethical standards.
” Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.”
Romans 13:1-2
To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), our life choices have consequences. The meaningful decisions we make may not be the popular ones, often require efforts and sacrifice.
Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.