Ralph Reed seeks to lead Georgia State Republicans

Former Christian Coalition executive director Ralph Reed hopes to become the next head of the Republican Party of Georgia.

The 39-year-old Reed ran TV preacher Pat Robertson's political group for seven years before resigning in 1997 to form Century Strategies, a political consulting firm based in Atlanta. Most recently, he worked as an advisor to George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

On Jan. 22 Reed sent e-mail messages to supporters throughout Georgia announcing his intention to seek the chairmanship of the state GOP. He told The New York Times, "I want to help lead the party to majority status in Georgia."

A few days later, Reed kicked off his campaign by attending a rally of far-right groups at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs. During his speech, Reed made no direct references to his run, instead spending his time attacking ex-- President Bill Clinton. He later distributed campaign literature.

Sharing the stage with Reed was Larry Klayman of Judicial Watch, an organization that spent eight years harassing Clinton and his wife. Even though Clinton is out of office, Klayman told the crowd he will not let up, remarking, "We will bring the Clintons to justice. We will put them in jail, hopefully in the same cell."

Reed denies he plans to use the party chairmanship as a stepping-stone to elective office. "My focus is on electing other people and making sure their campaigns are well funded," he told The Times.

In other news about the Religious Right:

The Family Research Council has launched a new arm that will be more political in focus. American Renewal, as a 501(c)(4) organization, will be able to engage in lobbying full time, as opposed to FRC, which has a tax status that limits the amount of lobbying it can do. Gifts to 501(c)(4) groups are not tax deductible.

Copyright Americans United for Separation of Church and State Apr 2001
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