Brennan's Smoke Shop

As we reflect on the hits and slaps we took from 2007 to 2009, it's our moment to begin a fight back for freedom, defense of property rights, warding off local, state and federal government regulation, ordinances that dictate where we can enjoy a cigar (where we would otherwise be welcome) and an effort to defeat onerous taxation that only results in further economic harm upon our communities. Now, is our time.

So, Cigar Rights of America launches Smoke the Vote 2010. This will be the first national effort to truly impact elections on November 2, 2010, from the cigar enthusiast perspective. It's a process. We may not change every seat we wish, but it starts – now.

On November 2, every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and 36 members of the U.S. Senate are up for election. In addition, critical races for Governor are being held in 37 states, including major races in states such as Arizona, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan.

How are we going to do this? Through the launch of the Smoke the Vote Grassroots Network. It's quick, easy, and free! All we need is the basic contact information for every passionate cigar enthusiast in America – and together we can change some elections.

From 25,000 to 50,000, and off to 100,000 and more, we can begin the process of rolling back taxation, smoking ban regulations, appeal for amendments to existing law, and send a message that spans from Main Street USA, to each end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Simply pass along the link to the Smoke the Vote 2010 Grassroots Network to all of your friends, family, co-workers, cigar club members, neighbors and others that love a great cigar, who are tired of government intrusion.

The issues are significant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is determined to bring cigars under their domain, potentially ripping the culture and soul from this industry. Local, state and federal efforts to further tax this legal product upon which thousands of jobs are dependent will not cease. And while they're taxing, they want to ban – the ultimate oxymoron in the political process.

The time is right. For the last twelve months, we have all been working to build the needed infrastructure to get to this moment. Now, CRA has members in all 50 states, we have CRA member tobacconists in 47 states, and membership is up 98% from this time last year. We need to build upon that success, learn from other interest groups that also exert their political muscle, and work to build new coalitions with other like-minded groups and allies.

We've all heard stories of the close election. George W. Bush beat Al Gore in Florida by 537 votes [which allowed President Bush to twice veto SCHIP taxes]. In 1974, John Durkin won a US Senate seat in New Hampshire by two votes. A 2008 election to Congress in Alaska was decided by one vote, and a 2007 state senate primary in Virginia was decided by 75 votes, when a local cigar shop owner rallied its customers to beat the advocate of a smoking ban.

It is time to change the cigar political calculus in America . With the ranks of CRA growing throughout the country, we are entering a pivotal time in protecting one of the great pleasures of life – a fine cigar. Let's work together to build the Smoke the Vote 2010 Grassroots Network.