More than 14

Fayette County Republicans joined about 850 Georgia Republicans at Callaway

Gardens this past weekend at the Road to Majority Conference, aimed at

taking over the state Legislature and key offices in 2002.

Purpose of

the two-day gathering was to introduce candidates to supporters, encourage

grassroots Republcians to get involved, and to educate those who will

be involved in future elections.

Fayette County

Republicans attended sessions regarding various aspects of campaigning

and attracting new members to the party. A large contingency of black

Republicans also were on hand to share their successes in broadening the

appeal of the party.

Well-known

conservative columnist Dick Williams and Martha Zoeler from the local

television program "The Georgia Gang" cohosted a session on

dealing with the media and getting one's message out.

Fayette Republicans

attending included County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn, Commissioner

Peter Pfeifer, Jean Studdard, Chasity Mundy, Eric Manning, Ronnie Chance,

Ora Jean Gunnin, Olen Gunnin, Cathy Chamberlain, Charlie Harper, Marilyn

Watts, Lane Watts and John Wright.

Speakers and

attendees read like a list of who's who in the Republican Party. J.C.

Watts of Oklahomea, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Mac Collins, Bob Barr, Saxby

Chambliss, Johnny Isakson, John Linder, Charlie Norwood and Nathan Deal,

all from Georgia, were just a few of the congressional speakers who shared

insights and rallied the group for the upcoming elections.

Sean Hannity,

cohost of television show "Hannity & Colmes" on Fox News,

and John Kasich, former chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee, also

spoke to a packed room of enthusiastic listeners. Other speakers included

state House Minority Leader Lynn Westmoreland; state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh;

Jack Oliver, deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee; Wayne

LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association;

Ken Conner, president of the Family Research Council, and state Rep. Bob

Irvin, who is a candidate for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Max

Cleland.

Currently three

announced Republican candidates are vying to run against Gov. Roy Barnes.

Cobb County Commission Chairman Bill Byrne, state Sen. Sonny Perdue of

Houston County and state Superintendent of Schools Linda Schrenko spent

time talking with attendees and working to gain support.

State Sen.

Mike Beatty, Al Bartell and state Rep. Steve Stancil currently plan to

run for lieutenant governor. U.S. Rep. Saxby Chambliss and state Rep.

Bob Irvin are challenging each other for the spot to run against U.S.

Sen. Max Cleland. State Rep. Cathy Cox from Peachtree City and Mitchell

Kaye both hope to be the next state superintendent of schools.

The message

of the weekend was inclusion, moderation and congeniality. Although the

race between U.S. Reps. Bob Barr and John Linder for the newly created

congressional district is expected to be spirited, the message from both

was one that focused on the overall goals of the party. Repeatedly, Republicans

were admonished to avoid divisive primaries and to keep the ultimate goal

in mind attaining the elected office in November.

"The Democrats

have shown us how to win and we've shown them how to lose," said

Cobb County's Bill Byrne.