Due to some media questions and leaks, the following is an edited transcript of a recent discussion between the GHC Steering Committee, Chairman Jeff Davis and Director of Governmental Affairs Randy Phillips. It is now available for IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Question: Since we are non-partisan, what is the current atmosphere with the two major parties in Georgia?

Davis: I wish I could answer more in the positive as we would like to work more closely with both parties on several heritage related issues. Unfortunately, some Republicans seem to want to inflame a heritage war which has been the hallmark of the Democrats for some time.

As you know, we're seeking a cessation of the war on heritage and culture. The Republican leadership seems to be stepping up the anti-heritage rhetoric as indicated by some recent comments by Eric Johnson, President Pro Tem of the Senate.

On the other hand, we have been getting some favorable signals from the Democrats. Believe it or not, we may be able to work with the Black Caucus on a real heritage issue, the developers in the coastal islands disrupting and taking over the property of the Gullahs and the Geechees. They have as much Georgia culture and history as anyone. To disrupt, displace or destroy this is as bad as the revision and elimination of Georgia colonial and Confederate history. We are willing to work toward legislation to give these folks adequate protection for their homes, lands and culture.

Phillips: I'd like to add this. If we join with a political party on this Gullah-Geechee issue it will give us an opportunity to demonstrate several things, first, we are interested in all heritage regardless of race or ethnicity, and that we do have a broad based influence on the right issues with Georgia voters.

Question: Randy [Phillips], what kind of voter influence are you talking about?

Phillips: It's becoming more and more evident. First, GHC is an organization of members, most of whom belong to at least one or more of the ten or twelve heritage organizations in the state. While we are all autonomous, we do have lots of issues in common. GHC serves as sort of a coordinating clearing house for joint efforts. Our main functions are legislation, governmental affairs and public relations. Other heritage organizations with whom we work do well in manpower, signs, bumper stickers, public demonstrations, monuments, historic landmarks, historic events, etc.

There is no question we influence elections when we're motivated. The Political Science Department at the University of Georgia identified about 168,000, I believe, votes of irregular origin in the last governor's race. Sonny Perdue won in an upset by around 106,000. Our own combined count statewide based on internet subscribers and links is around 250,000. Under aggressive campaigning, we're capable of putting together around 10,000 or more votes in the average Georgia House District outside the Atlanta area, but including the suburbs. Many races are settled by less than two or three thousand votes.

Question: With what you said about the attitudes of the political parties, where is this leading in our candidate support or opposition?

Davis: It's too early to talk about a complete read out, and Randy's team will be announcing primary election choices soon. I will say this much. We are looking very closely at firing a shot across the bow of the Republican leadership in the Senate. It is very possible we will put a heavy effort on both Eric Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem, and Majority Leader Bill Stephens. Both have strong opposition in the primary. They both had opportunities to work with us in the past. Eric was close to arrogant, while Bill was friendly and helpful until pressure developed from the governor's office.

If we're going to to take 'em out, the place to do it is in the primary where votes are lighter and a coordinated interest vote means more.

Phillips: We should emphasize the Georgia Heritage Coalition had commitments in the last session from a majority of the Senate Republicans for our Fair Vote bill when they pulled the rug on us. Intimidation from the top became so fierce even our most ardent supporters couldn't afford to be the top line signer.

Question: With the top level intimidation and the uncertainty of new district lines, was it hard to get that many Republican Senators to sign on to the Fair Vote Act?

Davis: Of course it was. And initially, we did have some help from the leadership, not [Eric] Johnson, but [Bill] Stephens. Virtually all agree though the flag issue will not be over until the people get a fair vote. Also, many agreed a fair vote including the 56 flag was the only real solution, regardless of their own personal choice. GHC agrees with this and still remains willing to accept the chips falling where they may. Every Republican in the Senate knew it was the Republican Senate which set up the motion toward removing the 1956 flag from the referendum, making it a totally rigged referendum, so they know they have that cross to bear. Worse, they traded the '56 flag out of the referendum for votes to pass the tax increase.

Eric Johnson tells his audience the flag issue is over. What he won't tell the folks is only about a quarter of registered voters paid any attention to the phony referendum, and only about 16% supported the so called Perdue substitute flag. This is the overwhelming "landslide" Senator Johnson tries to hide from the public.

Question: What kind of chance do the opponents of [Eric] Johnson and [Bill] Stephens have in the primary?

Phillips: Better than most people know. Rene Kemp who opposes Johnson is a veteran legislator who got switched into the same district as Eric [Johnson]. Our combined heritage groups can furnish more than a thousand signs, plus dozens of workers in the final month of this campaign. Our combined websites and their voter guides will reach around 30,000 viewers in this district. We will also be doing some mailing and phoning.

Lauren "Bubba" McDonald is a veteran Democrat legislator and former Public Service Commissioner. He is well- known, well-financed and lives in Forsyth County, which makes up 70% of this district. Forsyth has not had a state senator in decades. Leader Stephens lives in Cherokee County and finds his new district has a lot of strangers.

Question: How would it affect the Perdue administration if one or both of these leaders went down?

Davis: I think after they came out of a period of depression, they would do an agonizing reappraisal of their positions and policies. The governor has put his heart and soul into these primary races which sort of destroys the 11th commandment, but we know his record for veracity. The question would be whether such defeats, if achieved, would be enough to restructure the Perdue political atmosphere which is more dominated from Washington than from Georgia. This could change drastically after the presidential elections this year. Whichever way they go Perdue will be in a survival mode and he will search for his old base, of which we and our constitutients were a large part. If the Democrats are half as smart as I credit them to be, they'll seek a truce in the heritage wars and work for some reconciliation with our community.

Phillips: As a former Democrat member of the House of Representatives I'll say this; If the Democrats don't make some remedial moves, Zell Miller will have his title for his first new book after his retirement. It will be "The Georgia Democrats, a state party no more".

Davis: And I'll say this as a former Repblican state campaign Chairman: The Republicans may think they have an upper hand but they're stepping deeper into it every day. They're really not winning, the Democrats have set themselves up for extinction. If the Democrats corrected, we'd be back to two party politics which I worked so hard to establish in the sixties.

Question: We began to see some legislative progress after all these years during the recent session. How does the future look?

Davis: Hard to say, a lot depends on the upcoming elections, but the tide is definitely turning. The Civil Military Protection Act was a solid victory for us in 2004. This legislation went through both houses with only one negative vote. We worked very closely with leadership in both parties who understand their support for this doesn't provide cover for previous negative votes on heritage matters. It also shows what can happen when all heritage organizations work together as was the case with us and HPA. Strategy and organization-wise we're way ahead of where we were in past years. Our big victories are yet to come and more will as we elect more friendly legislators and keep the communication and cooperation healthy within the heritage movement.

Phillips: Our Campaign 2004 [issue planks] is being used by a number of candidates and more will be added up to the November election. This alone is the basis for building a solid Heritage Caucus under the Dome. Yes, we're making progress but much remains to be done.

Davis: Folks we've run out of our conference call time limit. Regrets for not being able to get into Boycott Downtown Atlanta but it's on the way. Thanks for your questions. We'll be providing a summary.