Repubicans: Raise the Volume on Ten Commandments; Judge Roy Moore Run for Alabama Governor

When former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justicein Gadsden. The committee has been focusing on a
Roy Moore acted on principle and refused to adherepetition drive, with the hope that enough signatures
to a federal court order that he considered was bothstatewide and nationwide will successfully result in
unlawful and improper, he never thought that hisencouraging Judge Moore to make the decision to
actions would lead to an overwhelming groundswell ofrun.The prospect of Judge Moore running for office
support from across the country. His stance madebecame a national topic of interest when he visited the
headlines and brought international attention to thisFox studios, where he was questioned by Sean
modern-day, David vs. Goliath showdown. Now, theHannity, of the highly popular Hannity and Combs
same group of political and religious leaders thatshow. Hannity asked Moore point blank about his
supported his actions then, are calling for Justiceinterest in running and this now famous dialogue
Moore to get back into the political arena and run forensued:HANNITY: All right. There is a lot of talk about
Governor of Alabama, where they believe his "noyou running for governor of the State of
nonsense" approach and strong personal convictionsAlabama.MOORE: There is a lot of talk. I've been
will clean up a state known for its "good ole boy"asked many times to run, and I am seriously
politics and special interest groups.Moore was forcedconsidering it. I'm praying about it, and I'll make my
off the bench in November 2003 for defying a Federaldecision sometime in the fall.HANNITY: Has the door
judge's order to remove a Ten Commandmentsbeen opened for you?MOORE: I think the door is
monument from public display in the state judicialopen.The show ended with Hannity asking Judge
building. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear theMoore to please come back to the show and reveal
case on appeal.Moore struck a nerve in the nation'sthe answer as to whether he would, in fact, run.For
psyche as evidenced by the reactions of the public,now, Moore continues to be showered by appeals by
both pro and con. Former senator, Zell Miller, flatlyboth statewide Republican officials and national leaders
stated, "Throughout recorded history, brave men haveto throw his hat in the ring. He says he may decide as
been called on to stand take a stand--sometimes forearly as October on a run for Governor. Meanwhile,
country, sometimes for family, sometimes for the Lordthe current Republican Governor Bob Riley's approval
above. Roy Moore is such a man."Formerrating was low in a recent poll that showed him running
Ambassador to the United Nations and Presidentialbehind both Moore and ex-Governor Don Siegelman in
candidate, Alan Keyes, went even further when hea 2006 re-election scenario.United States Senator,
was asked about his thoughts on Judge Moore, "ThereRichard Shelby (R - Alabama), who has been a vocal
have been times in American history when thesupporter of Judge Moore, was very clear about
courage or understanding of one individual opened theMoore when he stated, "Former Chief Justice Roy
door to the reform of major mistakes and injustices.Moore has raised critically important issues facing our
When Chief Roy Moore refused the unlawful order ofcountry today regarding the acknowledgement of
a Federal judge to remove the Ten CommandmentsGod. He reminds Americans that we cannot allow
from the Judicial Building in Alabama, he proved himselfactivist judges to continue their disregard of some of
to be such an individual. We cannot yet know the fullthe basic principles on which our country was
consequences of his principled stand . . . but it will befounded."In recent days, the volume has been rising
profound." There were certainly statements to thesteadily from other corners of the Republican party
contrary, voiced by the political left, but the ratio ofwhen Moore's name is mentioned. Prominent
detractors versus Moore fans was unbalanced inconservative writer Ann Coulter recently stated, "In the
Moore's favor, to say the least.Roy Moore stood upface of all our travails, Americans can take hope that
yet again on another controversial issue when certainGod has given us men like Roy S. Moore." Similar
special interest groups tried to impose on the citizensstatements were made by Oliver North, the host of
of Alabama a significant additional tax called "Equity"War Stories" on the Fox News Channel, when the
Funding," referred to by many as The Billion Dollar Taxtopic of Moore's faith was brought up: "Roy Moore is a
increase. Judge Roy Moore stood up to these specialproven fighter for his faith and freedom."The Draft
interest groups again when they tried to sneak byMoore Campaign has taken a new turn recently as
Amendment 2 in 2004 which would have given themany Moore devotees started asking about how they
courts the ability to raise taxes.As a result of hiscould help out. The demands for a focal point for
outspoken position during speeches around thepotential candidate Moore to run grew to such a level
country, quiet back room discussions about a possiblethat a web site was established to channel the
run for Alabama Governor started taking on a life ofenthusiasm. The site, aptly named is now being visited
their own. A committee was formed to draft Judgeby thousands of Moore supporters who wish to either
Moore for Alabama State Governor. Judge Moore,volunteer time or provide support in the form of
upon hearing about the efforts of so many people todonations. The site also features an inspiring video with
convince him to run, expressed an interest in the race,Moore, which includes some very surprising twists and
but is still officially undecided at this point. Theturns. You can watch the video by going to Moore has
Committee is being co-chaired by former Alabamaoften stated he is praying about his decision to run. We
State Senator Roy Smith of Gadsden, Alabama, andbelieve God will answer his prayer. Please join me in
by George Hundley. George Hundley served as Judgeshowing him our support.
Moore's bailiff and personal assistant in the circuit court