Change in candidate rating for Texas House District 45

[Charles L. Cotton]

Here is a message from the NRA concerning the lowering of a candidate's rating from an A to B+. This guy sounds like Sonia Sotomayor; testify one way in the confirmation hearings, then join a dissent in McDonald arguing exactly the opposite. And his excuse -- "I misstated my position."

Chas.

"At the beginning of this month, NRA Political Victory Fund candidate ratings and endorsements were posted live on http://www.nrapvf.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for this race and other state and federal-level contests in your area. NRA-PVF endorsed "A+" rated State Representative Patrick Rose for re-election, and continues to stand by this endorsement based on Rep. Rose's perfect NRA-PVF candidate questionnaire, his sponsorship and passage of the NRA-backed Concealed Handgun License confidentiality bill, and his voting record in favor of measures such as the NRA-supported Castle Doctrine law. His support for Second Amendment issues has remained consistent since he was elected to represent you.

NRA-PVF, at the time, had rated challenger Jason Isaac an "A" based on his completing and returning a solid candidate survey - which included a question on the issue of allowing CHLs to carry on college and university campuses. At a public forum last week, when the question was posed to both candidates, Rep. Rose's response tracked NRA's position in favor of changing the law to allow CHLs to protect themselves on campus. Mr. Isaac responded that he favored "local control" and allowing institutions such as Texas State to decide for themselves whether to allow CHLs to carry there. NRA-PVF adjusted Mr. Isaac's rating accordingly, based on his inconsistent policy positions on an issue which NRA (and many NRA members and CHLs) fought hard for in the 2009 session and will continue working hard to pass in 2011. You can view the change at the website link above.

Since that time, the Isaac campaign has issued a clarification of his position on his website, which you can view at http://www.isaacfortexas.com/2010/10/my ... -campuses/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. In an effort to make sure our members are fully-informed on the candidates' positions on issues of importance to gun owners and sportsmen, we thought it necessary to share ALL of this information with you, as early voting has begun this week and will continue through Friday, October 29."

[tallmike]

His wife came to my house to try to get me to vote for him. Never told me what good things he will do for me just how horrible Rose is. In response to my rebuttal "Patrick has done great things toward my gun rights and thats the main thing I have to fear from the state government. He is supported by the NRA and TSRA and has a perfect rating from them." she said "The NRA is supporting Harry Reid too" (this was before they withdrew their endorsement of him).

I was not impressed with her, and he has not impressed me since then.

I almost forgot to add: When I spoke to Patrick the other day he promised to work on campus carry next session, and he listened to me as i got angry for something else he did. Nice guy.

[gemini]

I'm not in his district, but the following is taken from his (Jason Isaac) web site (issues):

As a conservative I believe in less government and lower taxes, a difficult combination that requires fiscal responsibility and accountability to achieve. We need better schools and better teachers and a more secure border, all of which require more money. At the same time I believe we must lower the cap on property tax increases, which means less new money coming in to pay for our needs. How do we reconcile this dilemma? By better managing our revenue and creating an environment where businesses can prosper and employment can grow.

Although I will deal with multiple issues, the following will be vital during my first term as your representative:

Education –
Governor Perry ordered schools to spend 65% of tax dollars directly in the classroom. School districts, however, continue to fail to comply with his order. The legislature must act to mandate this requirement. Educational resources and curriculum must focus on classroom instruction to learn rather than simply testing well.

Taxes –
The appraisal cap on property taxes must be reduced from 10% to 3%. Texans are being taxed out of their homes. In this difficult economy families are finding it necessary to re-write their budgets and priorities. Local governments must learn to do the same. Taxes on small businesses must be cut to encourage job creation and investment. Tax cuts create jobs and economic expansion. Egregious taxes stifle growth.

Border Security and Immigration –
The longer this issue is allowed to languish the more difficult it will become. It is clear the federal government is unwilling to commit the resources necessary to seal the border so it becomes incumbent upon Texans to do so. We must commit whatever resources required to once and for all secure our border as the never-ending flow is costing the state untold millions.
Election Laws – Every citizen should be required to submit documentation verifying his eligibility to vote or to receive state benefits. This would help prevent voter fraud and guarantee the integrity of our election laws. The savings in state benefits paid to those otherwise ineligible to receive them would create an opportunity for the state to reduce spending.

Spending –
I believe the hallmark of being a Republican is being a fiscal conservative. As we face a projected budget shortfall of over $10 billion we must significantly cut spending. Our budget should focus on the needs listed above which will help insure our safety and the prosperity of our district and state for years to come.

Whether he "mis-spoke" or not...... I do like his stance on the above issues.

Lately I have received several ooo-ooo-oooo or Out of Area calls. Normally I won't answer,
but this time of year.... I can't resist. Anyway, as the boiler room operator starts reading
a sheet promoting this candidate or that..... I interrupt and ask "exactly how does the candidate
feel about the 2nd A." So far, no one has been able to answer. I then get to hang up. Oh, what fun
elections bring .......