Kay Bailey Hutchison

[jpierce30]

I agree about the bail out issue. It would be hard for me to support a Washington insider against a known value such as Gov. Perry. My democrat rep Lampson did'nt even vote for the bail out. I don't care for the Gov's stance on the Trans-Tex corridor or toll roads, but like Charles said he has really stood his ground for us. If the presidential election goes wrong, we may really need Perry.

[KBCraig]

Especially since the challenger has an NRA "A" rating.

Kevin, are you referring to Rick Noriega? If so, he doesn't have an "A" rating, he refused to return an NRA questionnaire.

As noted above, which prompted you to apologize for calling Noriega anti-gun:
2006: A
2004: A
2002: A
2000: B
1998: B

Remember, U.S. Representative Gene Green was an "A+" when he was in the Texas Legislature and he even carried a CHL bill in the late '80s or early '90s, if I remember correctly. But when he was elected to the U.S. Congress, he voted with his anti-gun Democrats and quickly earned a "C" rating.

If past ratings are not indicative of future performance, then the NRA ratings are utterly useless.

I don't think that's the case, but I'm surprised to see an NRA BoD member taking that stance.

[dawgfishboy]

Then welcome Senator Rick "I hate guns" Noriega to Washington.

And you can thank John Cornyn for that.

I have never in my life vote for a Democrat, but I will never again vote for John Cornyn. This breach of trust, breach of duty, and betrayal of the Constitution is unforgivable.

Did anybody watch the Texas Senatorial Debate last night on PBS?
Yvonne Schick seemed like a breath of fresh air to me.
I wonder why she hasn't been invited to the Dallas debate?

[Charles L. Cotton]

Especially since the challenger has an NRA "A" rating.

Kevin, are you referring to Rick Noriega? If so, he doesn't have an "A" rating, he refused to return an NRA questionnaire.

As noted above, which prompted you to apologize for calling Noriega anti-gun:
2006: A
2004: A
2002: A
2000: B
1998: B

Remember, U.S. Representative Gene Green was an "A+" when he was in the Texas Legislature and he even carried a CHL bill in the late '80s or early '90s, if I remember correctly. But when he was elected to the U.S. Congress, he voted with his anti-gun Democrats and quickly earned a "C" rating.

If past ratings are not indicative of future performance, then the NRA ratings are utterly useless.

I don't think that's the case, but I'm surprised to see an NRA BoD member taking that stance.

We weren't talking about past ratings, you said Noriega had an "A" rating and he does not. His rating is "?"

He refused to answer the NRA Questionnaire because his answers would have hurt him with pro-gun voters. It's interesting that his campaign office is telling callers that he does not have a rating with the NRA, but he has a current "A" rating with TSRA. That is false.

Past ratings are indicative of future performance when the candidate's voting record matches his rating and when he does not refuse to take a position on NRA issues. Such refusal is even more worrisome when a state-level candidate runs for an office at the federal level. (Rep. Gene Green's voting history in Texas and as a U.S. Congressman is an example.) As a State Representative, Rick Noriega never failed to turn in a Questionnaire, but now that he's running for national office, he refuses to answer it. He knows full well how important the Questionnaires are and he understands the significance of a "?" rating. Knowing these things, he still refused to turn in a Questionnaire, even when given extra time to do so. That is a change and it calls his future loyalty to gun owners into question.

Chas.

[KBCraig]

Charles, no matter how you try to dress it up, what you're saying is that past ratings tell you nothing about what a politician might actually do in office.

So, why all the fuss about whether a questionairre is returned?

I guess what I'm really looking for here is the true reason for knocking Noriega despite his record: he's a Democrat, and there are non-gun issues involved.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Charles, no matter how you try to dress it up, what you're saying is that past ratings tell you nothing about what a politician might actually do in office.

I'm not dressing up anything. You erroneously said Noriega had an "A" rating and I corrected that statement.

So, why all the fuss about whether a questionnaire is returned?

Firstly, Noriega not only refused to answer the Questionnaire, he gave his reasons. Further, history indicates that people who refuse to return an NRA Questionnaire tend to vote against us on our issues. This is especially true when 1) the candidate has no voting record; 2) the person is running for office in a new venue (city level to state level; state to federal); or 3) when a leadership change brings an anti-gunner into office. Many state and federal congressmen and senators have policies against answering any organizations' questionnaires, but they answer the NRA's. Why, because they are so important. Never before has Noriega refused to answer the Questionnaire and he has a reason for doing so now.

I guess what I'm really looking for here is the true reason for knocking Noriega despite his record: he's a Democrat, and there are non-gun issues involved.

I have given the "true" reasons why I don't trust Noriega; you just don't accept the explanation. We have very pro-gun Democrats like Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and many others with A or A+ ratings on the TSRA Voters Guide. I don't oppose him simply because he's a Democrat. I don't trust him because his actions as a candidate for the United States Senate are inconsistent with his prior actions as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. As the old saying goes, "those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I vividly remember Congressman Green's betrayal and I don't want to see it happen again in the United States Senate -- the body that will vote on Supreme Court nominees and UN Treaties.

Chas.

[dawgfishboy]

Firstly, Noriega not only refused to answer the Questionnaire, he gave his reasons. Further, history indicates that people who refuse to return an NRA Questionnaire tend to vote against us on our issues. This is especially true when 1) the candidate has no voting record; 2) the person is running for office in a new venue (city level to state level; state to federal); or 3) when a leadership change brings an anti-gunner into office. Many state and federal congressmen and senators have policies against answering any organizations' questionnaires, but they answer the NRA's. Why, because they are so important. Never before has Noriega refused to answer the Questionnaire and he has a reason for doing so now.

Noriega also refused to directly answer the question about handgun/assault rifle control last night too. Quickly said he was a member of TSRA and then awkwardly starred at the panel.
Cornyn said he was a sports hunter but thinks background checks are good.
Yvonne Schick said RKBA is a right protected by the 2a and that there was no question that our forefathers intended that it be an individual right...thus a handgun/assault rifle ban would be unconstitutional.

*edit - I'm paraphrasing what each candidate said

[Charles L. Cotton]

Noriega also refused to directly answer the question about handgun/assault rifle control last night too.

[jpierce30]

When the left leaning politicians get in with the rest of the socialists, then they will follow the crowd and lean further left. Remember politics is about keeping your office and power. They don't want to step on any toes and cause themselves grief. I have a hard time with someone who will not answer the tough questions.