[Mrfnews] 08LR10 - Leaders Report- May

[mrfnews at mrf.org]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff at mrf.org

May 15, 2008

NEW JERSEY MOTORCYCLISTS NEED YOU AND YOU NEED THEM!

Is this the end for Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)?  The Motorcycle
Riders Foundation Political Action Committee (MRFPAC) thinks that it could
be if you want it to be.  Frank Lautenberg has been the number one
proponent of a national motorcycle helmet law for many years.  The helmet
effectiveness debate aside, you must agree that making this type of law
should not be mandated by Washington, but should instead be decided in
your state capitol where you have a voice.  If Lautenberg had his way,
your voice on this issue would be silenced.

There are a few other things about Senator Lautenberg that you should
know.  First, Lautenberg currently either chairs or sits on every single
Senate committee and subcommittee related to transportation, without
exception.  Second, we are going to begin negotiating another highway bill
next year, and if Lautenberg is in charge we will see mandatory federal
helmet initiatives of many kinds.  Third, continuing the current 2010
motorcycle safety grant funds for which the Motorcycle Riders Foundation
(MRF), state motorcyclists' rights organizations, and motorcyclists
nationwide fought so hard in the last highway bill, and doing anything to
curb the lobbying activities of the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
will be nearly impossible with Lautenberg at the helm, and he will be if
he wins his next election.

Lautenberg can be defeated, but not without your help.  Lautenberg is
running for his 5th term in the US Senate, which would be his 30th year
serving in his current role, and he hasn't faced a strong opponent until
now.

U.S. Representative Rob Andrews, a fellow Democrat, announced his bid for
the seat just over one month ago.  Pollsters and pundits predicted that
Andrews' late start and rag-tag group of campaign staffers would fail
instantly.  The critics could not have been more wrong.  Andrews hit the
ground running and has only run harder and harder with each day.  He now
has a very legitimate chance of winning the June 3rd primary against
Lautenberg, and would then go on to face the Republican challenger.  The
GOP hasn't won a senate seat in the Garden State since 1972, and New
Jersey doesn't appear to be breaking from that tradition this year. 
Andrews is picking up endorsements from high-profile voting blocks left
and right. He is winning the support of New Jersey voters who are ready
for change and a new direction for their state.  Andrews could very well
win this race, but not without your help.

Andrews has also given his written commitment to motorcyclists that he
will NEVER support a mandatory helmet law of any kind and will continue to
fight for freedom of choice when it comes to personal protective
equipment.

Rob Andrews needs your help.  Closing the gap against Lautenberg, which
Andrews is doing, takes money.  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Political
Action Committee (MRFPAC) made one of the largest donations it has ever
made to campaign of any kind to Andrews for Senate.  MRFPAC is asking you
to do the same thing.  Anyone across this entire country can donate to
Andrews for Senate.  You don't have to be from New Jersey, and in fact the
motorcyclists of New Jersey can't do this without your help.  Andrews
needs money and he needs it now.

Donating to Andrews' campaign could not be easier.  Simply go online to
http://robandrewsforchange.com/ and donate as little $10 or as much as
$2300, which is the maximum donation for an individual.  Any amount you
can afford will help.  Federal PACs can donate up to $5000.

This is a rare political opportunity for the motorcyclists of this
country.  Some might call it the perfect storm.  Rarely does a rising
political star rock the boat of a Senior Senator and actually stand a
chance.  We have that chance with Rob Andrews, but we must act soon. 
Supporting Andrews financially is the best way to see him take
Lautenberg's seat in the Senate.

Paid for by Motorcycle Riders Foundation Political Action Committee
(MRFPAC) through voluntary donations from its members and their families.
MRFPAC has qualified as a multi-candidate committee. MRFPAC can only
solicit MRF members for donations. MRFPAC contributions are not tax
deductible.


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(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction
permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated
in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights
organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists'
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC,
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted
exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early
1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause
of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the
very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading
members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and
regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public
awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights
organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional
and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as
well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.