I introduced my traditional WarOnGuns Political Candidate Questionnaire to Gun Rights Examiner readers in July. In August, we saw Republican congressional candidate Chris Bunch give us the unequivocal answers we were looking for. That race has been decided, and David Harmer (who incidentally, has a scholarly understanding of the Second Amendment) secured the spot on the November ticket.
That was not unexpected, the demographics of California's Tenth Congressional District being what they are, and Mr. Harmer has an uphill fight against the odds on his hands. I'll return to that race in the coming weeks, but for now I'd like to look at another contest where the numbers appear to favor us.
It's a bigger race. It's one we can win. And if we do, it will topple one of our most powerful politicians and shake the Senate to its core.
I'm speaking of Danny Tarkanian's challenge to Harry Reid in Nevada. The "liberal" Senate majority leader (and prime mover with Nancy Pelosi on forcing Obamacare down our throats) can be defeated. Per The Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Although Reid's job as Senate majority leader makes him the highest-ranking politician in state history, his approval rating with Nevadans is just 37 percent, according to a statewide poll last week by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research...
In the Mason-Dixon poll, voters also said they preferred Republican Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas to Reid, 49 to 38 percent.
OK, but isn't Reid our friend on guns? He is according to the National Rifle Association:
"He is a true champion of the Second Amendment," [Executive Vice President Wayne] LaPierre said of Reid.
Gun Owners of America takes a less charitable view. They give Reid an "F." Much of that seems to be based on Reid supporting anti-gun nominees for the Supreme Court, the State Department and Attorney General, and those are legitimate concerns the NRA assessment appears blind to. Why shouldn't supporting our antagonists count?
And as the Review-Journal article reminds us:
Tarkanian consultant Jamie Fisfis says Tarkanian is as pro-gun as Reid and doesn't have the political baggage of unpopular government spending and an expensive health care reform proposal weighing him down.
"I don't want to minimize the fact that most of the people who are strong Second Amendment supporters object to just about everything else (Reid) does," Fisfis said. "It is not going to be enough."
I'll go so far as to say Tarkanian is more "pro-gun" than Reid. He not only would not support anti-gun appointments, he's also answered my questionnaire. And he did a good job.
Here's the Q&A:
1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
DT: I am a lifetime member of the NRA. I believe that not only is the Constitution the supreme law of the land, but it has been frequently misinterpreted for the benefit of those who have big government agendas, who would try to limit our freedoms and reduce our liberties. I call myself a “constitutional conservative” for that reason.
2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?
DT: Absolutely. There are too many politicians who do not understand the limitations of government. They see government positions and their power as a license to “social engineer” and infringe on people’s rights.
3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.
DT: The Second Amendment means what it says and those who would try to undermine it have the burden of proof to show that any “gun laws” are not prima facie infringements on the clear language of the Second Amendment.
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
DT: The Supreme Court was correct in DC v. Heller to strike down the overreaching DC handgun ban – which of course was completely ineffective in reducing crime rates.
5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?
DT: Yes.
6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern, and will you use the prestige of elected office to publicly promote that right?
DT: Yes.
7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
DT: I oppose registration of guns because it is a step towards confiscation.
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?
DT: Same as above.
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
DT: Unfortunately, there are many, many gun laws that infringe on the Second Amendment. During my campaign I will be releasing a specific list of which ones I will be working hardest to repeal as your Senator. Please stay attuned to our campaign for the release of that list.
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
DT: Yes - as an example, right away, if it has not yet been passed, I will work to pass the Right to Carry Reciprocity Bill, which has already received bipartisan support.
Just looking at this from a political tactics perspective, supporting Tarkanian makes sense. Nevada is a pro-gun state--Reid doesn't dare cast overt votes against the right to keep and bear arms. This really is a case where we can have our cake and eat it too--elect a pro-gun Senator who also won't be propping us up with one hand while undermining us with the other.
But understand: The reality is, do not expect NRA to distance itself from Reid. They place a lot of stock in incumbents they have relationships with. Access is everything when you work the Beltway circuit. Which means we won't be able to count on the loudest voice in the gun community to pass the word along, let alone acknowledge there's a superior candidate.
Still, am I not forgetting someone? What about Nevada Republican Party Chair Sue Lowden? Isn't she also good on guns? Hey, Tarkanian is in the race. She's only considering. If she enters, there will be time for us to do our own considering, and this questionnaire seems as good a place to start as any.
2010 may seem a long way off, but it's not. Danny Tarkanian needs our help now if he is to establish himself as the one who can persevere in this challenge. Which means, at a minimum, if NRA maintains an expected silence, it will be up to you to help spread the word on this, assuming you agree. If you do, please share the link to this column with bloggers, with forums, with "mainstream" news outlets and with your friends-- and ask them to do the same.
While the choice will ultimately be made by Nevada voters, I'm sure many of us living in other states can see the advantage ousting the current Senate leader would give us all, and why it's in our interest to mobilize and help out now.
Filed by David Codrea/Gun Rights Examiner: 09 September 2009
Comments
What is your plan for defeating Dick Durbin in IL? He will be Senate Leader if Reid loses and forget about any pro-gun bills or amendments to bills and look out for the anti-gun bills.
To defy any edicts he passes. What's your plan? To obey them?
In other words, the best way to advance conservatism is to ignore good candidates and support liberals instead? That's YOUR plan?
And you assume this is the only race where we could make a difference?
David, I really admire your work, but I think you were a bit overly testy with Melancton. He or she asked a legitimate question and got a heap of sarcasm in return. I'd appreciate knowing how to oust Durbin if you can offer some constructive advice.
I wasn't being testy, I was being candid. If we are going to let considerations like that throw a monkeywrench into supporting deserving candidates, we might as well just surrender now, because that's a political bridge to nowhere.
Not everything can be fixed. I can't fix Illinois. What I can do is support unequivocally pro-gun candidates.
If we support Tarkanian we can have one more Repub and one less Dem. And if we can do this with more races, and particularly take advantage of the issues Mr. Tarkanian represents, such as opposition to much of the democrat overreach, we could take back the Senate and Durbin won't BE the successor.
Go into every battle to win.
Does he have any track record?
I included a link to his campaign website so readers could then learn for themselves about his positions. He ran for Sec of State in '06, but has not held office--so no track record of votes on guns if that's what you're asking. That's the risk I guess we take with citizen-statesmen instead of career politicians. We know how the latter has worked out for us.
Really? REALLY? Dave drops a bomb like this and all you people can do is whine about some other criminal in the senate? This is great news. If we can get a few more votes for our side (not necessarily republicans, but Pro-Freedom) then our side says who the Senate Leader is. BTW, this is me being a little testy, keep your heads up, we are winning, and stop defeating yourselves before you get to the fight.
It would be a beautiful thing to get that piece of trash Reid out.
Danny Tarkanian ran in Nevada for state Senate in 2004 and Secretary of State in 2006 -- both times earning a "?" rating from the NRA for refusing to complete and return their state candidate questionnaire. In the latter race, since his opponent was pro-gun, the NRA endorsed that candidate. The Brady bunch endorsed Danny Tarkanian who then ran radio ads touting their support of his candidacy.
Truth, two points: If we're going to compare questionnaire responses, let's. I've posted my questions and his answers. We need to compare this to the NRA questionnaire and his answers. In re Brady, Tarkanian is quoted in the 8/31 Review-Journal Political Notebook as saying he doesn't know why, as he was an NRA member by that time. Regardless, you bring up points that the candidate must address, and I am forwarding your comment and my response to him with an invitation to clear things up.
1.NRA shows up in town to support their guy Reid.
2.Danny becomes a threat, and pro-gun advocacy makes him more so.
3.An email suddenly is circulated about Danny's NRA Q&As.
4. NRA is now not returning the Review Journal's calls or emails asking them to clear it up.
Somebody is playing hidden politics here. Danny needs to respond and give us his side. His answers to this Q&A seemed straightforward. Let's see if his answers here do as well.
What has Harry Reid done for us on any of the other liberty issues? His "fidelity" to the Second Amendment only happens once every six years at re-election time. As far as Durbin goes, there is always Ben Franklin's dictum about the alternative to impeachment. What? You think you can possibly run an alternative and beat the Chicago machine in that state full of welfare staters, union thugs and useful idiots? Give me an alternative (and not pie-in-the-sky prayer ruggery) to their institutionalized violence and thievery that doesn't involve defensive violence on our part. So what if he becomes SML? Do you actually think that will make a difference in the long run? It is going to come down to a face off with guns, anyway. The only question is, will they blink or shoot? Whether or not Dick Durbin is SML is immaterial in the grand scheme of things. You hang onto politics as if it will save you. It won't. I'm all for politics if we can, but not at the expense of hard reality
I spoke to Danny Tarkanian at the Tea Party Express gathering in Las Vegas. He said he is pro 2nd ammnedment and a life member of NRA, though the paper carried him as a question mark. He said he never got the questionare (the dog probably ate it) and did not respond. He sounds like a sincere guy and an attractive candidate, but is pretty light on experience to be shooting at US Senator. I wrote the NRA-ILA with my concerns about giving Harry Reid an A grade. Their response is that the NRA is a one issue organization and he has always been strong on guns. and gun ownership. They do not care about his voting for anti-gunners for cabinet and court positions, because he has sworn not to let anti gun votes get out of the Senate while he is leader. On this one issue, he is the best man to have there. I don't agree with him on anything else, but if guns is your thing, we may need him in the spot. Something to consider.
Sharon Angle has a proven track record in Nevada!! Lets get it right this time.
You should check out Bill Parson's website. He is also running against Dingy Reid. He is a contitutionalist and a 27 year Marine veteran. He is not a politician like Tarkanian.
I don't know a damn thing about Danny Tarkanian, but I do know that a one-eyed syphillitic dog would be an improvement over Harry Reid, and at this point, I have no reason to believe Danny Tarkanian is a one-eyed syphillitic dog, therefore I should find him even more preferable.
I frequent ranges quite often, and I've never seen Danny Tarkanian at any of them. I once saw Sharon Angle at a range shooting her .44 Mag wheel gun and a .45 semi-auto.
If you want a true Second Amendment advocate go to www.wileyforsenate.com; Mike Wiley was on the front lines in Florida in 1994 and was key to helping Floridians retain their rights.
Supporters of other politicians posting recommendations here--I designed my political questionnaire so it could be used as a force multiplier by other activists. Obviously I do not have the time to approach every candidate for every office. But if YOU have a candidate you believe is worthy, send him or her the questions and see how they respond--and then publicize it. I said in my column I would send one to Sue Lowden--when she officially declares. I sent one last night to Mark Amodei and will post his response--or lack of one--at a later date. I'll look up Sharron Angle later today.
I can understand your not knowing that I am in the race for US Senate, but answering questions does not make someone a gun rights candidate. Visit my website and see the pictures of the 1994 Freedom Rally in which I led 7,500 gun owners to the state capitol to defeat 12 pending gun control bills. Call Larry Pratt of Gunowners of America or Marion Hammer of the Florida Sportsmen and ask them who I am? I not only speak the 2nd amendment I have raised an army to defend it. I look forward to your call.
Mike, of course answering questions alone does not make anyone anything. But it does establish a record, not only to demonstrate a candidate understands the issues, but also it makes it problematic to betray voters afterward because this leave very little room for saying they did not understand.
Have you filed for your campaign and are you officially "in"? So far, the only people I'm seeing listed are Titus, Tarkanian, Amodei and Chachas.
I don't see a contact for you, so go ahead and email me: dcodreaAThotmailDOTcom if you'd like to discuss this further.
Harry Reid is #1 on my 'Do Not Support' list. Sue Lowden is #2.
At the Nevada State Republican Convention, Lowden ordered Bob Beers to gavel the convention into recess(in violation of Roberts Rules of Order)because she couldn't allow Ron Paul supporters to garner 37 of the state's delegates to the National Convention.
Lowden simply follows orders, and will throw anyone under the bus if told to do so from above.
I just received the following statement from Danny Tarkanian:
“I have never supported nor ever contacted the Brady Campaign. Their disregard for Second Amendment rights is exactly the kind of misguided, anti-Constitutional agenda that we need to fight back and I will when I am Nevada’s U.S. Senator. My election would be their worst nightmare.
“Finally, I wish I could say that their decision to endorse a Lifetime member of the NRA and strong Second Amendment supporter means they are coming around to our point of view, but unfortunately I doubt it.”
I'm finding that since I live in the boyish blue NW, that in the contests that make a difference, such as opposition to Reid, I am more willing to contribute my $$$. I find it exhilerating to put some 'skin in the game' in more than one contest and be more than a one-issue donor.
What would it look like if everyone from all the states contributed to all the other contestants that they agreed with regardless of geography. Work locally, finance national, fight each battle as if it were the war. Enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Thanks for the link, I made my contribution, and I might even organize my own bus of volunteers to go 'help get out the vote' when the time comes. Who wants to go to SFC, there are some sad souls that need liberation :-)
aparently Danny never speaks for himself , he didn't answer questionairs his last two runs & I see some one else answered for him this time. Sharon Angle & the other two answered GONV on it's page . I hope every one else is looking for the most reliable person also . We do not need any one that does not communicate
"I see some one else answered for him this time."
Bo, that is absolutely not true and you don't know what you're talking about. I got these answers directly from Danny Tarkanian and have the emails to prove it. Ask GONV, they'll tell you I have been working hand in hand with them on every one of these--it's MY questionnaire. That is real irresponsible for you to be making anonymous accusations like this.
Go! Danny Go! Stick to "your guns!"
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE LIBERTARIANS IN OFFICE> IT SEEMS WE ALWAYS VOTE REPULIPUK DEMOCRAP AND WHAT HAPPENS THEY ARE ALL LIBERALS WHEN THE TRUTH COMES OUT> WHEN WILL ANY OF YOU LEARN.
WAYNE ROOT 2012 BOOK THE CONSCIENCE OF A LIBERTARIAN
Perhaps some of us have learned more than you give us credit for, Libertarian. For instance, LP presidential candidate Bob Barr never did explain his support for the Lautenberg gun ban bill. And Wayne Root was so unschooled on RKBA he had to reissue his position after gun owners beat him up on the issue.
That said, if you've been following this series, you'd know the questionnaire is intended to be used as a force multiplier--which means if you're truly interested, why not use it and get answers from candidates YOU support?
As the two prominent recent examples I just gave demonstrate, Libertarians don't get a pass just because of their party.
Hey there is an Independent Candidate out of Reno that you should look out for. Michael Haines is a true independent who supports all the Constitutional Amendments without any discrimination. He is a businessman out of Reno who was recentley on The Voicebox Radio show on 11/11/09 along with Mike Wiley who really stuck his foot in his mouth I thought. Good luck Mr Haines, you can defeat Reid if the people of Nevada can see what you really stand for.
Has he filed? I can't find him on the candidate list, can't find a campaign website, and per the FEC website, there is no candidate match by that name.
from Washington Times BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE For Immediate Release 11-3-06 Contact Peter Hamm,202-898-0792 BRADY CAMPAIGN ENDORSES DANNY TARKANIAN FOR NEVADA SECRETARY OF STATE Washington,DC-Danny Tarkanian today received the endorsement of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's leading gun violence prevention organization.Tarkanian is running for Nevada Secretary of State.Mr. Tarkanian has been a strong supporter of the Brady Law,and supports passage of a Federal Assault Weapons Ban."We're very pleased that Nevada has such a strong supporter of common-sense gun laws,"said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign."Danny Tarkanian knows how important it is to keep military-style semiautomatic assault weapons off the streets,and he's committed to fighting the good fight to keep our families and our communities safe."As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence,the Brady Campaign,working with
from Washington Times
SARAH ROBOCALL.
Danny Tarkanian (R), Nevada Secretary Of State.
Hi. This is Sarah Brady from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. We want assault weapons off Nevada's streets. Ross Miller, who's running for Secretary of State, opposes that, even though one was used to kill a Las Vegas policeman. I'm asking you to vote for Danny Tarkanian for Secretary of State. He supports common sense gun laws like a ban on military style assault weapons. I'm at 202-898-0792. Thanks for your time.
Flip Flop, by not telling the whole story, including Lowden's current consultant saying Danny T knew nothing about this, which the Washington Times article clearly stated, you are clearly cherry picking to mask the whole truth. That makes you a dirty trickster out to score a political hit by hiding the complete truth. That means I don't owe you a place to comment. Who's campaign are YOU a part of?
It's no myth - Tarkanian's 2006 campaign was endorsed by Sarah Brady and did run a Sarah Brady gun-grab robo-call. To suggest otherwise isn't straight shooting.
It is also true - Tark says he didn't know anything about it - that his mom made this incredibly critical decision without his knowledge. This raises to me a couple of questions:
1. Is this true? Did Tark's liberal-Democrat mom run at least this part of his campaign without his knowledge? Will she run his Senate votes,too?
2. If that's true, what does this say about Tark's leadership? I've run enough campaigns to know every candidate is ultimately responsible for everything done by his/her campaign.
3. If it's not true, is Tark throwing mom under the bus to avoid taking responsibility?
FWIW, I asked Tark this on his Facebook - he said he wasn't going to be distracted by Chuck Muth and wouldn't otherwise answer me.
Mostly, I like Tark, but as a life NRA member, any linkage with gun-grab Brady makes me v
Ned, you'll get straight shooting here, which is why we've not only discussed this here, I did a special column on it on Dec. 17. What is NOT true: "Tark says...that his mom made this incredibly critical decision without his knowledge."
He never said that. Others have. People seem to be skimming through the Washington Times article and drawing conclusions from it that it does not say--or hearing this from others and repeating it.
Look, I'm not married to DT. IF it turns out he is a "closet gungrabber" (as Muth's speculative headline referred to him-you had to read deeper in to find he takes DT at his word) I think we'll find out--the powers that be are into full behind-the-scenes politics mode, and if they'll nail a threat with whatever they can. I'll continue monitoring this, and if I get substantiating facts, I won't sit on them.
David, Danny keeps denying the Brady endorsement but he won't explain how it happened. As I said before if it was a "dirty trick" it would have gone out to Republicans - it went to Clark and Washoe Democrats. Brady says the Tarkanian campaign asked for their support. Danny won't explain.
I'd like to see him explain this too--and believe it will be an issue he cannot avoid as the campaign heats up. Voters will then have to determine how credible that is. But that's not the only issue I think needs light--I'd like to find out who turned Amanda Carpenter on to this story and provided her with the docs--and what their connections and motivations are. That seems something we should all want to know.
I read the Washington Times article where Lowden's campaign person, who used to work for Tarkanian, admits that Danny knew nothing about the Brady campaign phone call. I've heard Danny at events and he sounded very committed to the 2nd Amendment to me.
I've met Danny and his family, and have found him to be an intelligent, insightful person, who is willing to truly listen to your opinions. When I see him at a campaign meeting next week, I'll ask him to clarify his stance on this issue. He states that he is a "Constitutional Conservate", and I believe that he is, based on my discussions with him. There are a lot of fine candidates running against Harry Reid; but I believe that Danny will best represnet the people of Nevada.
I have met Danny and I trust that he is the best candidate to run against Harry Reid. He is a political outsider, and states that he is a "Constitutional Conservative". In my discussions with Danny, it is apparent that he means it. I trust in Danny, and that he will be the person we want and need in Washington.
Seemed a little early in the race to throw support to Tarkanian. He may, or may not, be the best candidate - however when it comes to the 2nd Amendment, both Pill Parsons and Sharron Angle appear to have a better grasp of the constitution and the 2A. That Tarkanian would want to expand the size of government by supporting the bipartisan Right to Carry Reciprocity Bill, makes him less of a constitutional candidate. We don't need more big gov't to specify our rights, over state sovereignty. We need someone who recognizes the 2A as law, who will nullify other unconstitutional gun control laws. BTW - Sharron Angle is also a lifetime meber of the NRA.
Crusade--the point is to give gun owners choices on who showed an understanding via the questionnaire. This is part of a series that you can access by clicking on the "Gun Rights Political Questionnaire" at the bottom of the post. If you do that, you'll also find links to these titles:
"NV Senate candidate Sharron Angle also deserves gun owner support"
and
"Bill Parson: Another NV Senate candidate who deserves gun owner support"
Check them out to see the outstanding job they did.
You can support any or all of these through the primaries based on whatever other considerations you know about, but the intent is, once that is over, you should be able to support any one of them in the main event.
And there are some others.
I will say of the three we're discussing, only DT has outperformed Reid in any poll--so it's incumbent on those campaigns and their supporters to raise the funds needed to compete.
I cannot believe that not one single candidate (Danny Tarkanian included) had a clue about the so-called 1986 F.O.P.A. USC 18 922(o) AKA: The Hughes Amendment... the first de facto gun ban in U.S. History (and still standing) signed into law by so-called uber conservative Ronald Reagan...
Not withstanding Brady Bill(s) ad nauseam...
The Second Amendment does not state "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" Except... IF your zip code is x, your standing at y, or the type or class of weapon/firearm is z; or you wish to carry said weapon openly or concealed...
Promising in writing & on camera to introduce legislation to repeal 18 USC 922(o), Brady Bill(s) ad nauseam...
Should be at the top of any Candidate's issues that claims to support the Second Amendment as it was written & intended by the framers...
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