Dear fellow Boston Tea Party members,

Later today, I'll be emailing each of you with a letter from Charles Jay, our party's presidential candidate. As is not unusual with such letters, this one requests donations for the presidential campaign. Some things have developed since the letter was written that I'd like to share with you first.

- Last weekend, Charles wrote the check to put our Tennessee ballot access drive in motion! It's a "small" drive -- only 275 signatures -- but in reality we'll need 550-600 signatures to ensure we get over the validity bar, and the petitioners will be helping round up elector statements, etc. as well. Up-front cost from funds personally raised by Charles: $1200. That's money spent that we need to replenish to keep the campaign in "forward motion" mode.

Speaking of electors, if you are a Tennessee BTP member and are willing to serve as one, drop me a line. As the name implies, if Charles and I carry the state, you'll cast votes for us in the Electoral College (hey, think positive!).

Yes, I said "Charles and I." With the ballot deadline coming up and no "favorite son or daughter" stepping forward to serve (as I've been encouraging in every state), I'll be privileged to serve as our VP candidate in the state of my birth. I'm hoping to make at least one campaign visit to the state this fall.

- Alabama looked like a long shot ...

... and frankly it still does. However, an entirely volunteer effort on the part of Darryl W. Perry and other BTP activists has apparently already collected several hundred of the 5,000 required signatures. If it looks like the volunteers in Alabama are going to be able put us within shouting distance, we'd like to have the money to get professional help for them.

We're on the ballot in Colorado. Insha'Allah and the creek don't rise, we'll be on the ballot in Florida and Louisiana as well. We're working to get on the ballot in Tennessee and have every expectation of succeeding. Alabama is starting to look like a possibility, and there are a few other states where we just might have a chance. But ... ya gotta show us the money to get these things done.

So, while you have it on your mind, please visit:

http://www.cj08donate.com/

... and make your best contribution to the effort. Your money will be used for ballot access, advertising and other real campaign work, not to buy $19,000 air conditioners. Thanks in advance!

Yours in liberty,
Tom Knapp
Boston Tea Party candidate for Vice-President