For the past several weeks, I've been reading articles, editorials and letters from folks who have always opposed Joe Boylan but now feel empowered to give Joe unsolicited advice.

First, of course, we have The Pilot. The Pilot endorsed Morgan in the primary and Galloway in the general election and never writes anything about Joe that doesn't include some piece of negative spin. Now, suddenly, our liberal scribes feel entitled to criticize Joe for not "reining in" me and others who are holding disloyal GOP officials accountable for their actions.

Then we have the MCGOP executive committee, scrambling for relevance, issuing a resolution to Joe, and demanding he appear before them to discuss "party unity"! The authors of this "resolution" were the same folks who attempted to decimate our party with a third-party candidacy during the general election.

After issuing this pompous demand, in private session, John Owen immediately began to declare that "Joe won't return my phone calls." Caller ID being what it is, Joe did seem to have trouble getting through to Mr. Owen.

After getting a sense that Owen was dodging his calls, Joe sent John and dozens of GOP members an e-mail accepting their "invitation" to discuss party unity. Joe even persuaded me to attend "with an open mind."

Upon the realization that Joe insisted on an "open session" so everyone could participate, the meeting was canceled. The rescheduled meeting did not include an invitation to Joe.

The Morganite-heavy MCGOP Executive Committee was totally irrelevant during this election. Joe won by bypassing diehard politicos and taking his message directly to the people of Moore County. He went door to door and phone to phone and welcomed everyone to join his campaign. He plans to win again in two years by having a voting record of which we can all be proud and by going directly to all people in Moore County, not just those who profess to have "status."

At last week's swearing-in ceremony and subsequent events, Joe received adulation from Republicans around the state for ridding the GOP of Richard Morgan. Joe has not only received a warm welcome, but also a prestige seat next to party leader Paul Stam. Joe has been approached by two candidates for the state party chair to give their nominating speeches.

One such candidate has even approached me to express support for our efforts here in Moore County. Any time anyone heard we were from Moore, we received hugs and enthusiastic thank-yous.

Through it all, Joe never fails to credit the voters of Moore County. Republicans here and around North Carolina are uniting around Joe Boylan with the realization that he is the future of the MCGOP.

If there are former opponents here who truly want to abandon the politics of revenge and whispered lies to support Joe, then come on over! We will welcome any sincere show of support. Contact me. I'm in the book, or Joe@boylanforhouse. com.

The Boylan campaign will welcome all citizens who would like to help a good man become a great legislator!

Those of you, who insist that your "status" exempts you from party bylaws can maintain your self-destructive, Cleavon Little in "Blazing Saddles" approach. But keep your self-serving advice and your bitterness to yourselves.

Ed Kennedy lives in Pinehurst.