“Put boots on ground” to convince voters, NY Senator tells Granger

Last Updated on Sunday, 22 March 2015, 13:34 by GxMedia

New York State Senator, John Sampson Saturday night gave Guyana’s opposition presidential candidate, David Granger some strong advice to win the upcoming elections- put “boots on the ground” to convince those reluctant to change.

Speaking at a fund raising reception in New Jersey, Sampson acknowledged that overseas support was key but argued that it is important to target those who are unwilling to change. He advised that campaigners should not merely talk about the issues facing the electorate but offer ways to deal with them.

“In order to do that you cannot do it in a traditional media. Everybody talks about Social Media and everything else but it’s about boots on the ground, getting back to the way politics is and politics is a retail business and all politics is local,” said Sampson.

He described the May 11, 2015 polls as a “life and death elections” for current and future generations.

“Brothers and Sisters, it’s not only important that you give money but you have to touch people, touch people where they have never been touched before so they understand the significance of this race,” said Sampson who is still facing several criminal charges by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Sampson was previously accused of receiving a US$100,000 loan from one of his clients, well-known New York-based Guyanese businessman Ed Ahmad.  Ahmad, who was convicted in the United States for mortgage fraud, is a very close friend of Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and still has eight pending charges before the court.

After receiving a thick envelope of undisclosed contributions from a group of Guyanese towards the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections at a reception held at Sandy Daly’s residence in New Jersey, Granger termed it an “investment” rather than a donation.

“Let me assure you that this is not a donation, is an investment in good government and in good governance,” he said to applause.

He promised that A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)-led administration would end the massive export of raw products such as gold, timber, rice, bauxite and sugar. “We are going to ensure – APNU and AFC together- are going to ensure that the riches of Guyana- that huge country in Caribbean terms- will be used for the benefit of our people, that we are not going to be pushed to the sidelines,” he said.

Granger stressed that “we are not selling out or country” but would exploit resources in a sustainable manner. He again  promised that the country would transformed from a confrontational political culture, cronyism, crime and backwardism.