Virginia Gov Race: Kilgore (R) Refuses to Answer Gun Survey

Virginia Citizen's Defense League ^ | 10/04/2005 | Philip Van Cleave

[BlackRain]

The Virginia Citizens Defense League is non-partisan. We are only asking all the candidates to take a position on specific issues of concern to Virginia's gun owners, so that gun owners might make an informed choice. We believe this to be a reasonable request, and remain perplexed by the hostility that this has generated from the Kilgore campaign.

The emails on which I have been cc'ed from gun owners across the state run the gamut from *pleading* with Mr. Kilgore to answer the VCDL survey and take a stand on gun rights, to furious gun owners saying that they have removed Kilgore campaign signs from their lawns and offices and Kilgore bumper stickers from their vehicles.

The sheer frustration of gun owners is apparent in various Internet chat rooms. Here are a few samplings:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=24&t=211454 http://www.packing.org/community/laws_politics/listview/2632

BTW, the Kilgore campaign web site no longer has email links or contact info for the key campaign staff. Too much incoming email?

Technical snafu?

On the positive side Kilgore's site has put up a Second Amendment item link on the front page of the web site. I don't recall that being there before.

Russ Potts' web site makes no mention of firearms that I could find.

Tim Kaine has a Second Amendment section on his site.

The VCDL surveys (including Tim Kaine's survey) and the Delegate voting record for the last two years will be posted on the VCDL web site next week. I will send an alert as soon as it is up. VCDL's vice president, Jim Snyder, is working on this. I have seen a preliminary web page and it is going to be easy to use and really look great!

Candidates Kilgore and Potts still have time to get their surveys in. But that time is up the second that Kaine's survey, and the other Delegate surveys, are posted on the VCDL site.

Finally, I was asked, and quite fairly, by a member, "Would VCDL have put up this big of a fight to get a survey from *Kaine* if Kilgore had turned in his survey, but Kaine had not?"

YOU BET! If a candidate for Governor is running on being gun friendly and is asking for the support of gun owners, we are going to fight to get that candidate to turn in his or her survey until either we get it or time is up.

Tim Kaine stepped up to the podium. Now the question is will Jerry Kilgore and Russ Potts be no-shows or are they going to help us make an informed decision come November 8th?

[BlackRain]

"What the hell is the "Virginia Citizens Defense League", and why on earth should he answer their questionaire?"

You obviously don't live in Virginia and own a gun. They are a grassroots group that take's anti-gun legislation very seriously.


My question to you is why won't Kilgore answer these questions? What is so harmful? The Democrat candidate did answer and the Washington Times (not a liberal newspaper) called Kilgore on it!

Here is the survey:


http://www.vcdl.org/surveys/Statewide_Candidate_Survey_Kilgore.pdf


Background:

The Virginia Citizen's Defense League (VCDL) was founded in October 1994 as the Northern Virginia Citizens Defense League (NVCDL). The group experienced enormous growth in membership statewide and was incorporated as VCDL in May of 1998. VCDL is a non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians and, most importantly, the proposition that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental Human Right.

[BCR #226]

Sigh...

Guys look... Let's look at this election in a realistic light. We have control of the Legislature and the Senate as well as a pretty firm bet that we'll take the Lt. Gov. position with Bolling. In this light, the Governor's seat is going to be quite castrated. The end result is that if Kaine wins, he won't get any anti-gun stuff through unless we end up with a bunch of traitors in both the Senate and Legislature. I can see it in the Senate but the Delegates know better.

Think of this as a necessary loss for the greater good. We have a chance to really open the eyes of the GOP nationwide if we come out being the difference between a win and a loss for Kilgore. It isn't exactly a secret that there is a growing number of Democrats that are warming up to us gun owners... They see a vulnerable block of traditionally Republican voters that they may be able to take away if they play their cards right. Warner was just the tip of the iceburg in this matter and we'll be seeing it more and more. This means we'll have to scrutinize every candidate that much closer in the future and vote by issue only.

We are concievably the most powerful single issue voting block in the nation. We need to start flexing our muscles and making our presence known very loudly. By doing a write in campaign with Philip Van Cleave as the write in and we cause Kilgore to lose by a number of votes smaller than the write in numbers, we'll have the attention of every political whore in the country.

Do I want Kaine to win? Nope, it'll stagnate our progress for four years but that is about it. Do I want Kilgore to win? Yeah, but not at the expense of our gun rights... we can't afford to take that chance. At this point in time, Kilgore has become more of a liability to gun owners than Kaine could ever possibly be. The only acceptable and positive solution is if Kaine wins by a slim margin with the gun vote being the deciding factor.

I look at it like this... Kilgore has spit in face of gun owners and the one man who has done more for self defense and gun rights in Virginia than anyone. We need to stop this kind of crap in it's tracks. On election day, I'll be writing in "Philip Van Cleave" for Governor.

I'm willing to put our progress on hold for four years in order to advance our political power exponentially for the next two or three decades at minimum.

Philip Van Cleave for Governor!!!!

Mike

[BCR #226]

ping...

[Gabz]

My sentiments, exactly.

[Gabz]

Hubby has been taking notice there :)

[Gabz]

The NRA track record in Virginia is not good. They have been known to back anti-gun Republican incumbents over pro-gun Republican challengers in statewide and local elections and primaries.

That is not good to hear.

Until today I had never heard of VCDL - but will now look into it.

[Corin Stormhands]

Kilgore claims that Philip Van Cleave is irrelevant to gun rights.

Where does Kilgore claim that?

[Corin Stormhands]

Since Warner has been governor, most Republicans in Richmond have been as enthusiastic about tax increases as the Dems.

Hey pal, I AM "most" Republicans and your statement is at best a gross exaggeration.

We were betrayed by the RINO Senate (no argument there) and by 17 traitors in the House. But not until AFTER they were brow beaten to near death by Warner's incessant whining that there was a budget crisis which NEVER EXISTED.

The FACT is that Warner lied about not raising taxes in his campaign. He broke that promise 40 days into office and tried for three years until he successfully DID raise taxes.

And, you will never convince me that the RINO attempt (Potts and company) to raise taxes EVEN MORE was anything but a backroom deal to make sure the Governor's plan passed.

But "most" Republicans are NOT enthusiastic about taxes. I know several of the GOP Delegates personally and I know how hard they fought against the tax increase. And I know how hard some of us here in Free Republic personally fought against the tax increase.

Ollie North is a different story. And John Warner has never been a "mainstream" Republican.

[BlackRain]

"Kilgore claims that Philip Van Cleave is irrelevant to gun rights.

Where does Kilgore claim that?"

--

"While we have great respect for the members of the VCDL, their President Phillip Van Cleave unfortunately has no credibility on Second Amendment issues and that is why we did not participate [in the VCDL Candidate Survey],"

Mr. Martin [Kilgore campaign spokesman] said, declining to elaborate.

Source of quote:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050930-110728-7266r.htm

[Gabz]

I'm as pro RKBA and pro 2nd amendment as the next gal - but I will NOT take a chance on Kaine becoming governor just for one issue.......there are more things at stake here.

[P8riot]

Where does Kilgore claim that?

It wasn't Kilgore saying it. I was his campaign spokesman Tucker Martin. Right Here

[AuH2ORepublican]

"The real question is why Kilgore won't answer? What is he hiding?

The NRA rating is a simple endorsement and is NOT a reflection on Mr. Kilgore's public statements. Kilgore has avoided making any positions on gun control known in the Viriginia newspapers."

---

Really? Well, since Virginia newspapers apparently haven't publicized the numerous times that Kilgore has stood up for gun rights and declared his support for the Second Amendment, I'll help you out a bit.

Here's an article from 2002 explaining how Kilgore and 17 other state attorneys general wrote U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to express agreement with his opinion that "the text and the original intent of the Second Amendment clearly protect the right of individuals to keep and bear firearms.":

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3730/is_200210/ai_n9115409

And here's what Kilgore said about the right to bear arms just last week, as published by the (Fredericksburg) Free Lance-Star:

"Kilgore: The most important issue facing hunters in Virginia is continued access by law-abiding citizens to firearms for self-protection, hunting, other sport shooting and collecting. I am a lifelong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I will work throughout my term as governor to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms."

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/092005/09292005/132737


And this is from the August 31, 2005 Richmond Times-Dispatch:

"Also during the conference call, Kilgore said he would consider backing legislation similar to that enacted in Florida this year that would allow gun owners to use deadly force if they fear for their lives or safety outside their homes or businesses.

Kaine's campaign responded by saying such legislation is not necessary in Virginia. The new Florida law was meant to offset an existing law that required Floridians to retreat from an attacker, but Virginia has no such requirement, said Kaine spokesman Jeff Kraus."

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031784769126

So, do you still think that Kilgore has refused to give his opinion on the right to keep and bear arms? Or is this merely a case of him not answering a freaking questionnaire?

[Gabz]

The FACT is that Warner lied about not raising taxes in his campaign. He broke that promise 40 days into office and tried for three years until he successfully DID raise taxes.

And a Kaine win would GUARANTEE another 4 years of tax increases.

Anyone who could lie the way Kaine has about gun rights after what he has done MUST be defeated.......all I am seeing on this thread are people willing to allow him to be the next governor of Virginia.

[BlackRain]

"he would consider backing" - politician speak for straddling the fence.

"I will work throughout my term as governor to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms." - But, I will not tell you want I plan to do and I will trash talk Virginia gun associations that dare ask me.

[Cautor]

"But "most" Republicans are NOT enthusiastic about taxes"

My apology. When I posted that, I was thinking of the Republicans in Richmond, not the rank and file. Until April, I was one of those VA Republicans who was livid over those who raised taxes while we still had a surplus.

[Corin Stormhands]

Kilgore has avoided making any positions on gun control known in the Viriginia newspapers.

That's just simply not true. Jerry Kilgore may not be saying what you want or talking to whom you want, but he has not avoided the issue.

See How Jerry and Tim Compare on the 2nd Amendment.

Virginia Shooting Sports Association Endorses Jerry Kilgore
September 14, 2005

Kilgore: The most important issue facing hunters in Virginia is continued access by law-abiding citizens to firearms for self-protection, hunting, other sport shooting and collecting. I am a lifelong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I will work throughout my term as governor to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.
Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star
September 29, 2005

And a June Radio Commercial

"2nd Amendment" :60

JERRY KILGORE: I'm Jerry Kilgore, candidate for governor, and this ad was paid for by Virginians for Jerry Kilgore.

ANNOUNCER: Jerry Kilgore is a conservative leader who gets things done. That's not opinion, that's the record. As Attorney General he's defended our values, worked to keep children and families safe and fought to protect our second amendment rights earning him two endorsements from the NRA.

Tim Kaine's record is just as clear. Trouble is, it doesn't match up with what he says. In radio ads he says he's a conservative, but that's just flat-out false.

He vigorously supported gun control and wanted the city of Richmond to start suing gun companies. Then he used our tax dollars to send buses filled with protesters to an anti-gun rally in Washington, DC.

In fine liberal style, he worked closely with the ACLU and later opposed posting "In God We Trust" in our schools. An idea he called "ridiculous."

Tim Kaine says one thing. Tim Kaine's liberal record says another.

[Corin Stormhands]

We have control of the Legislature and the Senate as well as a pretty firm bet that we'll take the Lt. Gov. position with Bolling

WHAT???? CONTROL OF THE SENATE?

Pottsy is that you???

Stop it! I can't breathe!!!!!!!!!

Throw your vote away if you need to. But when Timmy comes for your gun, don't say I didn't warn you.

You may not gain what you want with Jerry Kilgore. But you will lose with Tim Kaine.

[Corin Stormhands]

Source of quote:

Well thanks. If Van Cleave is as whiney as his supporters on this thread, then maybe Tucker's right.

[Gabz]

Until April, I was one of those VA Republicans who was livid over those who raised taxes while we still had a surplus.

You are not still livid about the tax increases????????

[Cautor]

Not as livid as when I was paying them, but, yes, a little livid I think.