Ed. Note: Each week during the primary election season, the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt, have both been invited to submit a weekly blog entry. The following is from Tiahrt:
I was honored this week to receive the grassroots endorsement of the state NRA affiliate, the Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA). While my opponent was in Washington with John McCain raising money from their lobbyist friends at a DC fundraiser, the 3,500 member strong pro-Second Amendment, pro-freedom organization was backing my candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
Patricia Stoneking, who is the president of the Kansas State Rifle Association, wrote a letter to me this week that said, “As a member of both the Kansas Legislature and the United States Congress, you have demonstrated a loyal and unwavering commitment to defend the Second Amendment rights of all law abiding citizens. We are proud to boast that while serving in the Kansas State Senate you introduced the first concealed carry legislation and began a crusade that lasted fourteen years until your dream came to fruition as you inspired those who came after you to continue your legacy.”
In a sign than Congressman Moran’s campaign has gotten out of control, the chief of staff to Congressman Moran called and threatened Patricia saying “she would be sorry” for endorsing me if Jerry was elected to higher office. He tried to intimidate her into taking back the endorsement, but she refused Moran's Chicago-style gutter politics of intimidation -- something that has no place in Kansas.
Kansans expect Congressman Moran to stop making these kinds of threats – that’s not the way to earn the respect of voters. Unfortunately, as of the time I wrote this blog, Congressman Moran had yet to call Patricia and apologize for the threat or the angry phone call from his chief of staff.
As we head into the final days of this election, I appreciate all the Kansans who have joined Sarah Palin, Steve Forbes and all the other conservative leaders who have endorsed my Senate campaign. It has been incredible traveling our state meeting thousands of enthusiastic supporters, and sharing my vision for a stronger economy and a return to our Constitutional freedoms.
