imported post
Pace, I've been in an interesting back and forth with Dudley:
Me:
Dudley:
Since this directly contradicts what he told us in writing, I wouldn’t trust him.
Ask him why he changed his mind.
Then, ask him if he’s still opposed to a repeal of the Brady law.
Me:
Looks like he was giving you a hard time because of your dramatic 'editorialization'. Your questions were not always totally clear. I sent him a response to clarify--I'll let you know if he responds.
I saw him speak at a Tea Party rally and I've got a good feeling about him. Surely he'll be better than McInnis, who's playing a pretty typical career politician to me. If Maes wins the primary, I hope you'll still vote for him, if only to defeat Hickenlooper.
Dudley:
I don’t think I know you, so I can’t speak to your political acumen. But this isn’t my first dance – this is my 17[sup]th[/sup] year as a gun lobbyist. I know how politicians weasel around saying tough things or answering tough questions.
Editorialization? Hell yes. I’m an advocate, not some pointy headed intellectual. Dan read our editorialization, and certainly should be able to tell where we stood on an issue.
What is unclear on our survey? Please, tell me. RMGO has literally had hundreds of candidates for office answer our survey, many of them 100% pro-gun. Many of those are in office (Sens. Brophy, Harvey, Kopp, Schultheis, Renfroe, etc).
RMGO leads on the gun issue in this state, not politicians.
He might be better than McInnis (though, by their surveys, he’s worse). My “vote” is one. But we have thousands of members, most of whom look at RMGO for guidance on candidates and the gun issue. So, my job is to light up politicians who think they can get away with weak and broad generalities about how they are “in support of the Second Amendment.” That’s why we ask specific questions.
Me:
But why load up your questions with fluff and drama if you're trying to get an honest answer? Seems that it would just make it harder for politicians to take you seriously. You don't need to let them know where you stand. It's coming from the RMGO. It's pretty obvious. The 'editorialization' just serves to distract from being direct.
Did you even get an answer from the other candidates?
Dudley:
We always put a bit of background in the question. If we don’t (and even when we do), you’d be surprised how few candidates for office know anything about gun issues.
And then we get candidates saying “I need more information before I can answer this.” Maes responded that way to a Tea Party activist (and RMGO member) who asked him why he was opposed to repealing Brady.
Here is McInnis’ survey. As you can see, at least he didn’t get snide with his comments, and answered the “Vermont” question correctly.
Every election cycle, at least a dozen politicians whine about our survey being unfair, or that we’re too tough, or that they can’t answer the question (about repealing a gun control law) until they “see the actual legislation.” When we get that type of answer, we know what kind of person we’re dealing with.
Me: