Dear Friends,
The Sanford Herald is sponsoring a Candidates Forum at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center Lecture Hall at 1801 Nash Street, Sanford, NC on Thursday, October 7 from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m. Rumor has it that Congressman Bob Etheridge might make a rare public appearance.
This will also be a great opportunity to hear NC Senate District 18 candidate Wesley Meredith and NC House District 51 candidate Jimmy L. Love, Sr. Both of these fine men are NRA Endorsed candidates. I hope that you will join me in taking a little time to support their candidacies. For those of you who think the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is important just let me mention that the candidates opposing both of these men did not bother to answer the NRA's candidate survey. This event is a great forum to let them know that our rights are important to us and will be fundamental to how we vote on November 2. I hope to see you there.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
NRA Ratings Across Our District
Dear Friends,
As of today, the following list shows the official National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) candidate ratings. In those races where an endorsement has been made, I have highlighted that designation. Please note that the NRA does NOT make an endorsement in every race, nor do they consider the party of a candidate nor their stances on issues outside the 2nd Amendment in their endorsements. More detailed information about their grades and current endorsements are online at the NRA-PVF web site.
For the record, I am a volunteer donating my time and effort to support NRA endorsed candidates. I do not represent them in any capacity. I do not endorse candidates, never have and never will as a part of my duties supporting the NRA. I am not a party to the endorsement process in any way, shape or form. Those determinations are made by the NRA Political Victory Fund using an established endorsement policy. Members of the NRA or other citizens interested in the cause of liberty espoused by the 2nd Amendment should make their opinions and preferences known to the NRA by calling them at (800) 392-8683 or use the NRA-PVF online contact form. Candidates are listed in order based on their NRA rating.
US Senate
Richard Burr (A) Endorsed
Elaine Marshall (?)
US House of Representatives
District2
Renee Ellmers (AQ)
Bob Etheridge (D)
North Carolina Senate
District 7
Doug Berger (A+) Endorsed
Michael Schriver (B+)
District 10
Brent Jackson (AQ) Endorsed
Dewey Hudson (?)
District 11
A. B. Swindell (A) Endorsed
E. S. "Buck" Newton (A-)
District 12
David Rouzer (A) Endorsed
Jody McLeod (?)
District 14
Dan Blue (C+)
Geoffrey M. Hurlburt (?)
District 16
Josh Stein (B-)
Michael Beezly (?)
District 17
Richard Stevens (B+) Endorsed
David Donovan (?)
District 18
Roger Gerber (AQ)
Bob Atwater (B)
District 19
Wesley Meredith (AQ) Endorsed
Margaret Highsmith Dickson (C+)
District 21
Wade Fowler (AQ)
Eric Mansfield (?)
District 22
Harris D. Blake (A) Endorsed
North Carolina House of Representatives
District 7
Angela R. Bryant (C)
District 21
DeAnn G. Poirier (?)
Larry M. Bell (C-)
District 25
Jeffrey L. Collins (A-) Endorsed
Randy Stewart (?)
District 26
Leo Daughtry (A) Endorsed
District 27
Michael H. Wray (A-) Endorsed
District 28
James H. Langdon, Jr. (C+)
Brian Allen (?)
District 32
Jim Crawford (A-) Endorsed
District 33
Paul Terrell (AQ)
Rosa Gill (?)
District 35
Don Frantz (AQ) Endorsed
Jennifer Weiss (F)
District 36
Nelson Dollar (A-) Endorsed
Robin Anderson (?)
District 38
Madison E. Shook (AQ)
Deborah K. Ross (F)
District 42
Marvin W. Lucas (A-)
District 43
Elmer Floyd (?)
District 44
Johnny Dawkins (B+)
Diane Parfitt (?)
District 45
Jackie Warner (AQ) Endorsed
Rick Glazier (C+)
District 49
Glen Bradley (AQ)
John May (?)
District 51
Michael Stone (?)
Jimmy L. Love, Sr. (A) Endorsed
District 53
David Lewis (A-) Endorsed
Abraham Oudeh (?)
District 54
Cathy Wright (B+)
Joe Hackney (F)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day - questions, comments or concerns concerning these endorsements should be addressed directly to the NRA at (800) 392-8683.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
As of today, the following list shows the official National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) candidate ratings. In those races where an endorsement has been made, I have highlighted that designation. Please note that the NRA does NOT make an endorsement in every race, nor do they consider the party of a candidate nor their stances on issues outside the 2nd Amendment in their endorsements. More detailed information about their grades and current endorsements are online at the NRA-PVF web site.
For the record, I am a volunteer donating my time and effort to support NRA endorsed candidates. I do not represent them in any capacity. I do not endorse candidates, never have and never will as a part of my duties supporting the NRA. I am not a party to the endorsement process in any way, shape or form. Those determinations are made by the NRA Political Victory Fund using an established endorsement policy. Members of the NRA or other citizens interested in the cause of liberty espoused by the 2nd Amendment should make their opinions and preferences known to the NRA by calling them at (800) 392-8683 or use the NRA-PVF online contact form. Candidates are listed in order based on their NRA rating.
US Senate
Richard Burr (A) Endorsed
Elaine Marshall (?)
US House of Representatives
District2
Renee Ellmers (AQ)
Bob Etheridge (D)
North Carolina Senate
District 7
Doug Berger (A+) Endorsed
Michael Schriver (B+)
District 10
Brent Jackson (AQ) Endorsed
Dewey Hudson (?)
District 11
A. B. Swindell (A) Endorsed
E. S. "Buck" Newton (A-)
District 12
David Rouzer (A) Endorsed
Jody McLeod (?)
District 14
Dan Blue (C+)
Geoffrey M. Hurlburt (?)
District 16
Josh Stein (B-)
Michael Beezly (?)
District 17
Richard Stevens (B+) Endorsed
David Donovan (?)
District 18
Roger Gerber (AQ)
Bob Atwater (B)
District 19
Wesley Meredith (AQ) Endorsed
Margaret Highsmith Dickson (C+)
District 21
Wade Fowler (AQ)
Eric Mansfield (?)
District 22
Harris D. Blake (A) Endorsed
North Carolina House of Representatives
District 7
Angela R. Bryant (C)
District 21
DeAnn G. Poirier (?)
Larry M. Bell (C-)
District 25
Jeffrey L. Collins (A-) Endorsed
Randy Stewart (?)
District 26
Leo Daughtry (A) Endorsed
District 27
Michael H. Wray (A-) Endorsed
District 28
James H. Langdon, Jr. (C+)
Brian Allen (?)
District 32
Jim Crawford (A-) Endorsed
District 33
Paul Terrell (AQ)
Rosa Gill (?)
District 35
Don Frantz (AQ) Endorsed
Jennifer Weiss (F)
District 36
Nelson Dollar (A-) Endorsed
Robin Anderson (?)
District 38
Madison E. Shook (AQ)
Deborah K. Ross (F)
District 42
Marvin W. Lucas (A-)
District 43
Elmer Floyd (?)
District 44
Johnny Dawkins (B+)
Diane Parfitt (?)
District 45
Jackie Warner (AQ) Endorsed
Rick Glazier (C+)
District 49
Glen Bradley (AQ)
John May (?)
District 51
Michael Stone (?)
Jimmy L. Love, Sr. (A) Endorsed
District 53
David Lewis (A-) Endorsed
Abraham Oudeh (?)
District 54
Cathy Wright (B+)
Joe Hackney (F)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day - questions, comments or concerns concerning these endorsements should be addressed directly to the NRA at (800) 392-8683.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Monday, October 4, 2010
The NRA's Election Target
Dear Friends,
Every day we hear the word "target" used countless ways. "Eli Manning's pass missed the target and was intercepted." "Politician "X" is targeting his message to undecided voters." "Spending targets are aimed at helping helping poor people." The list of how the word is used goes on and on. In this election season, the NRA is using the word as a way of implementing their strategy to elect people to office who support the 2nd Amendment. There is nothing unexpected or unusual about that. As athletes say all too often in interviews, now they are "taking it to the next level."
At the recent NRA Election Kick-Off Event near Charlotte there was the usual collection of bumper stickers, yard signs, bumper stickers and doughnuts. Nice, but not surprising or exciting. What caught my eye was that they were also giving out targets to promote the election. "Now that is a stroke of genius" I thought. Everybody who goes shooting is going to need targets. They might be paper, steel silhouettes, clay pigeons or old cans. But to print out a target with a reminder to "Vote On Target" was such a simple idea that I was hit with the "why didn't I think of that" feeling. At the top was an invitation to "Join NRA-ILA on the Frontlines!" and on the bottom was a place for Campaign Field Representative contact information. In our case, that would be Tom Korman. It has certainly resonated with folks as I found out last weekend at the Fayetteville Gun Show. Once the word got out that the "NRA guy" was giving out free targets, there was a constant stream of people asking for them. It didn't take long before I gave out every last one. For those who'd bought a new gun and a couple of boxes of ammo, it was a natural. More importantly, it helped us to get our message out. For those of you who couldn't get there and missed out - never fear. If you click this link you can get one and print out as many as your printer and ink supply can handle.
I wish you safe shooting, and hope that you will visit again tomorrow to learn more about the recently updated NRA candidate grades and endorsements.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: some readers of my blog might not have grown up with English as their first language. To help them out I've added a new widget on the right hand side that will allow them to translate this blog into the language of their choice, be it Spanish, German, Italian or even Swedish or Swahili. You can find it between the "Search" box and the NRA-ILA news feed. I hope that this new feature helps to make this easier for them to enjoy.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Every day we hear the word "target" used countless ways. "Eli Manning's pass missed the target and was intercepted." "Politician "X" is targeting his message to undecided voters." "Spending targets are aimed at helping helping poor people." The list of how the word is used goes on and on. In this election season, the NRA is using the word as a way of implementing their strategy to elect people to office who support the 2nd Amendment. There is nothing unexpected or unusual about that. As athletes say all too often in interviews, now they are "taking it to the next level."
At the recent NRA Election Kick-Off Event near Charlotte there was the usual collection of bumper stickers, yard signs, bumper stickers and doughnuts. Nice, but not surprising or exciting. What caught my eye was that they were also giving out targets to promote the election. "Now that is a stroke of genius" I thought. Everybody who goes shooting is going to need targets. They might be paper, steel silhouettes, clay pigeons or old cans. But to print out a target with a reminder to "Vote On Target" was such a simple idea that I was hit with the "why didn't I think of that" feeling. At the top was an invitation to "Join NRA-ILA on the Frontlines!" and on the bottom was a place for Campaign Field Representative contact information. In our case, that would be Tom Korman. It has certainly resonated with folks as I found out last weekend at the Fayetteville Gun Show. Once the word got out that the "NRA guy" was giving out free targets, there was a constant stream of people asking for them. It didn't take long before I gave out every last one. For those who'd bought a new gun and a couple of boxes of ammo, it was a natural. More importantly, it helped us to get our message out. For those of you who couldn't get there and missed out - never fear. If you click this link you can get one and print out as many as your printer and ink supply can handle.
I wish you safe shooting, and hope that you will visit again tomorrow to learn more about the recently updated NRA candidate grades and endorsements.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: some readers of my blog might not have grown up with English as their first language. To help them out I've added a new widget on the right hand side that will allow them to translate this blog into the language of their choice, be it Spanish, German, Italian or even Swedish or Swahili. You can find it between the "Search" box and the NRA-ILA news feed. I hope that this new feature helps to make this easier for them to enjoy.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Saturday, October 2, 2010
I Saw the Cost of Liberty Today
Dear Friends,
If you didn't make it to the Fayetteville Gun Show today, it will still be running tomorrow from 10:00-5:00. Stop by and get bumper stickers, buttons, campaign literature and even some of the NRA's newest yard signs - though supplies are limited. They have hundreds of tables and I can promise you one thing: mine is the only one that will give you something for nothing and won't ask for a donation! As you enter the door, look towards 10 o'clock for the American flag and that is where you will find me.
On a personal note, one thing made a huge impression on me today. I go down to Ft. Bragg every so often to the PX and Commissary and can't help but notice all of the license plates denoting that the owner has earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star or is a Disabled Veteran. As a disabled veteran myself I am kind of attuned to that sort of thing. But at the gun show I got to see and meet many of these young heroes behind the license plates. I was stunned at all the young men in wheelchairs, walking with prostheses, or with scars you won't see on the average college campus. You can't see that when you are just driving along the road. It really hit home the high price they are paying for our freedom - joining the ranks knowing full well what could happen to them as opposed to the Cold War Army that I enlisted in. And they do it anyway. Even now as I write this I have trouble keeping my emotions in check. I was overwhelmed with admiration, gratitude, empathy as well as sadness that what they do for all of us isn't properly acknowledged. Thanks guys - you are carrying the torch of freedom in the finest American tradition. Even if we are remiss now, history will right that wrong.
One way we can repay their sacrifice on the altar of freedom is to vote. These courageous young people don't offer excuses on the battlefield - they get out therr, face their fears and get the job done. In this day and age, there isn't one American citizen in North Carolina who is able to check a box that has an excuse for not voting. No excuses - just do it. Check your voter registration status. If you need to register, do it right now. You should view a sample ballot, make your selections and then vote - either absentee, during early voting (Oct. 14-30) or find your local precinct,and go to the polls on November 2. There - you have the tools, now exercise the freedoms these heroes have purchased for you at the cost of life, limb and blood shed on the battlefield.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: the new and improved NRA Political Victory Fund website is now fully operational. Among other things, it has official NRA candidate grades and endorsements available for your consideration. If you are an NRA member, please visit this useful online tool prior to election day and join me in supporting these candidates.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
If you didn't make it to the Fayetteville Gun Show today, it will still be running tomorrow from 10:00-5:00. Stop by and get bumper stickers, buttons, campaign literature and even some of the NRA's newest yard signs - though supplies are limited. They have hundreds of tables and I can promise you one thing: mine is the only one that will give you something for nothing and won't ask for a donation! As you enter the door, look towards 10 o'clock for the American flag and that is where you will find me.
On a personal note, one thing made a huge impression on me today. I go down to Ft. Bragg every so often to the PX and Commissary and can't help but notice all of the license plates denoting that the owner has earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star or is a Disabled Veteran. As a disabled veteran myself I am kind of attuned to that sort of thing. But at the gun show I got to see and meet many of these young heroes behind the license plates. I was stunned at all the young men in wheelchairs, walking with prostheses, or with scars you won't see on the average college campus. You can't see that when you are just driving along the road. It really hit home the high price they are paying for our freedom - joining the ranks knowing full well what could happen to them as opposed to the Cold War Army that I enlisted in. And they do it anyway. Even now as I write this I have trouble keeping my emotions in check. I was overwhelmed with admiration, gratitude, empathy as well as sadness that what they do for all of us isn't properly acknowledged. Thanks guys - you are carrying the torch of freedom in the finest American tradition. Even if we are remiss now, history will right that wrong.
One way we can repay their sacrifice on the altar of freedom is to vote. These courageous young people don't offer excuses on the battlefield - they get out therr, face their fears and get the job done. In this day and age, there isn't one American citizen in North Carolina who is able to check a box that has an excuse for not voting. No excuses - just do it. Check your voter registration status. If you need to register, do it right now. You should view a sample ballot, make your selections and then vote - either absentee, during early voting (Oct. 14-30) or find your local precinct,and go to the polls on November 2. There - you have the tools, now exercise the freedoms these heroes have purchased for you at the cost of life, limb and blood shed on the battlefield.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: the new and improved NRA Political Victory Fund website is now fully operational. Among other things, it has official NRA candidate grades and endorsements available for your consideration. If you are an NRA member, please visit this useful online tool prior to election day and join me in supporting these candidates.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Friday, October 1, 2010
Why Burr, Why Now?
Dear Friends,
On Sept. 14 the NRA Political Victory Fund endorsed Richard Burr's candidacy for a second term in the United States Senate. Throughout his first term Senator Burr has been a staunch friend of the 2nd Amendment working with great dedication and effectiveness for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. With everything else going on in our lives, it is sometimes easy to forget how much he has done for us.
+ He earned an "A" rating and endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.
+ He cosponsored and voted for the DC Personal Protection Act. That would repeal their gun ban and registration statute and restore the right of self-defense for law-abiding residents of America's capital.
+ Sen. Burr signed a "friend of the court brief," that contributed to the Supreme Court decision to strike down the gun ban in America's capital and reiterating that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right in the Heller case. {Read the full story on Wikipedia.}
+ Sen. Burr signed another "friend of the court brief" in the McDonald case that led the Supreme Court to decide that the 2nd Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that protects all Americans. {Read the full story on Wikipedia.}
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored legislation to reform the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity legislation that would extend federal protection of state Right-to-Carry licenses and permits across America.
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored and voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act which prevents outlandish lawsuits designed to bankrupt the American gun industry.
+ He cosponsored and voted for the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act which prohibits gun confiscation during states of emergency as happened after Hurricane Katrina.
+ He voted against confirming anti-gun Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan
Why now? The most compelling reason is that the pro-gun wing in the Supreme Court is a one vote majority. If another seat becomes vacant, we can assume the President will nominate yet another opponent of our 2nd Amendment liberties. We will need Senators like Richard Burr to stand strong in defense of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. His record is clear and he got the NRA endorsement the old-fashioned way - he earned it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: more about bumper stickers. Whether you have this year's Cadillac or a 15 year old Jeep like I do, you might be skittish about putting a bumper sticker on it or are worried about how to get it off (as if anybody would ever want to do that). One solution is to go to your local office supply store and get a magnetic sheet. They can be found near the computer printer labels. Put the bumper sticker on that, trim it with a pair of scissors and slap it on your car. If you decide to move it - no problem. Just lift it off and move it.
Don't forget to go to the Fayetteville Gun Show this weekend. I'll be joined by other volunteers passing out literature, bumper stickers, buttons, yard signs and talking up our endorsed candidates.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
On Sept. 14 the NRA Political Victory Fund endorsed Richard Burr's candidacy for a second term in the United States Senate. Throughout his first term Senator Burr has been a staunch friend of the 2nd Amendment working with great dedication and effectiveness for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. With everything else going on in our lives, it is sometimes easy to forget how much he has done for us.
+ He earned an "A" rating and endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.
+ He cosponsored and voted for the DC Personal Protection Act. That would repeal their gun ban and registration statute and restore the right of self-defense for law-abiding residents of America's capital.
+ Sen. Burr signed a "friend of the court brief," that contributed to the Supreme Court decision to strike down the gun ban in America's capital and reiterating that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right in the Heller case. {Read the full story on Wikipedia.}
+ Sen. Burr signed another "friend of the court brief" in the McDonald case that led the Supreme Court to decide that the 2nd Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that protects all Americans. {Read the full story on Wikipedia.}
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored legislation to reform the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity legislation that would extend federal protection of state Right-to-Carry licenses and permits across America.
+ Sen. Burr cosponsored and voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act which prevents outlandish lawsuits designed to bankrupt the American gun industry.
+ He cosponsored and voted for the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act which prohibits gun confiscation during states of emergency as happened after Hurricane Katrina.
+ He voted against confirming anti-gun Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan
Why now? The most compelling reason is that the pro-gun wing in the Supreme Court is a one vote majority. If another seat becomes vacant, we can assume the President will nominate yet another opponent of our 2nd Amendment liberties. We will need Senators like Richard Burr to stand strong in defense of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. His record is clear and he got the NRA endorsement the old-fashioned way - he earned it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tip of the day: more about bumper stickers. Whether you have this year's Cadillac or a 15 year old Jeep like I do, you might be skittish about putting a bumper sticker on it or are worried about how to get it off (as if anybody would ever want to do that). One solution is to go to your local office supply store and get a magnetic sheet. They can be found near the computer printer labels. Put the bumper sticker on that, trim it with a pair of scissors and slap it on your car. If you decide to move it - no problem. Just lift it off and move it.
Don't forget to go to the Fayetteville Gun Show this weekend. I'll be joined by other volunteers passing out literature, bumper stickers, buttons, yard signs and talking up our endorsed candidates.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
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