Yes - Mr. Schwarz was endorsed in the last day or so by NRA-ILA. Again, an endorsement is different than a grade.
There have been a number of comments and inquiries made of me regarding this. The following, which I sent to another list, responds to most of them.
My personal support for Tim Walberg is unchanged. I stand by my personal (and I emphasize, personal) endorsement of Tim. I speak only for myself.
David Coy
----- Original Message -----
From: David Coy
To:
[email protected]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 11:19 PM
Subject: Re: [MCGO] Dave B's reaction ??
I think you mean me, Dave C(oy).
I'm certain that NRA-ILA has considered their decision very carefully. They are highly professional, and they do not do things rashly. They do a fine job (miraculous work, against incredible odds, in many cases). I greatly respect NRA-ILA and all of their personnel. They have my complete confidence. I'm glad we have them, and I shudder to think where our gun rights would be without them.
With this said, my personal support for Tim Walberg is unwavering, and I stand by my personal endorsement of his candidacy.
I know Tim personally. Walberg is an NRA Life Member, an avid hunter and a shooter. It is a part of his lifestyle, and not an affectation or posture assumed merely to get votes. In the video on his website,
www.walbergforcongress.com, that is one of his personal shotguns, and he wears his own hunting coat. The golden lab in the video is his hunting dog, who will greet you when you pull into Tim's driveway (as the dog did earlier this week with me when I stopped by Tim's house).
Tim was a staunch supporter of the RTKABA, especially concealed carry, during his 14 years in the Michigan House. He had an A Plus rating from NRA-ILA for all of these years, which, in my experience, is not something NRA-ILA hands out casually.
I still personally believe Tim Walberg will be a superior advocate for RTKABA, upon comparison with Mr. Schwarz. I am mindful of Mr. Schwarz's excellent pro-gun voting record since he went to DC. However, on a personal basis, I can't get past the fact that he voted against concealed carry in the when he was in the Michigan legislature, and I can't forget all of the unkind things Mr. Schwarz said about those of us who want to carry a sidearm for personal defense. In contrast, and in the face of tremendous pressure from Governor Engler and Republican Leadership, Tim never wavered in support of concealed carry. I do not personally believe Mr. Schwarz has the same visceral and intensely personal courage of conviction regarding RTKABA that Tim Walberg does.
I have balloted already, via absentee ballot, as I will be at the Grand American Trapshoot in Sparta, IL, on primary day, Tuesday, August 8. My personal vote was for Tim Walberg.
I specifically note that these are my own personal opinions and representations. I am solely responsible for them. I speak only for myself.
David Coy