Why "No Comment"?

Today, our big "H/T of the Day Award" goes to the one & only Gleaner himself, Hugh Jackson. What else are we supposed to add to this?

http://t.co/uPW6EQlry6 @beckyharrisnv campaign slogan: pic.twitter.com/e2MZvtKhYA

— Hugh Jackson (@JHughJackson) October 20, 2014

Well of course, we can always add this:



And now, ProgressNow Nevada Action and Progressive Kick are adding this. Becky Harris (R) has been trying her best to hide from the voters since June, along with her running mates Patricia Farley (R) and Michael Roberson (R). They're all running for State Senate (and in Roberson's case, running for reelection), yet none of them has spoken to anyone in the press since August and all of them have have been severely limiting public exposure since June. Why?

Perhaps ProgressNow is onto something. Who is Becky Harris? While we've been doing plenty of sleuthing ourselves to uncover her radical G-O-TEA allegiances, ProgressNow has uncovered even more damning evidence. She testified not only against marriage equality, but also domestic partnerships (??!!), at the Nevada Legislature in 2001. She even endorsed "conversion therapy", the horrifically dangerous practice of attempting to "pray the gay away" from LGBTQ people. So why are we now supposed to believe Becky Harris won't (again) pursue what she's already gone to Carson City to advocate?

But wait, there's more. Last week, we told you about Becky Harris' internship at the Utah Legislature during the early 1990s. Back then, she took part in crafting anti-choice legislation. Now we know she took part in creating the infamous Utah law that would have threatened 15 year prison sentences for doctors performing abortions... If the US Supreme Court hadn't overturned that and other severe state level abortion restrictions in 1992. But now that the religious right wrong is waging another War on Women, we're again at risk of seeing women's reproductive rights taken away. How do we know Becky Harris won't join in (again)?

And of course, we all remember Becky Harris' now infamous August interview with Steve Sebelius. Funny enough, this was her very last media appearance before "The Blackout". Perhaps that's because Becky Harris let it slip that she's vehemently against even modest legislation to close Nevada's background check loopholes that allow dangerous criminals to get their hands on very dangerous weapons. According to Harris, it's more important to argue over the definition of "transfer" than to keep dangerous firearms away from the next Jerad Miller and Christopher Dorner.

All this helps explain why Becky Harris' spokespeople (and their boss, Michael Roberson) are making "No Comment". They don't want you to know her real record. They don't want you to know what she really wants to do in Carson City. So Roberson is keeping Harris in hiding in hopes they can trick the voters of Senate District 9 into electing her.

Perhaps Roberson's operatives think they can enjoy some "political trick-or-treat-ing" here, but voters deserve better. They deserve to know what Becky Harris is actually running on. And they deserve far more than "No Comment".

They Can Run, But They Can't Hide

We had a feeling this was coming. They could run... From the media, from the voters, and from us. However, they couldn't hide from their own record forever.

Ever since the primary election, State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson (R-Chicken) has gone into hiding with his hand-picked running mates, Becky Harris (R) and Patricia Farley (R). He's hoping their silence will translate into Republican votes.

But why is the typically garrulous Roberson now so quiet? And why is he keeping his hand-picked running mates so quiet? Now, we have a better sense as to why. Just moments ago, State Senator Justin Jones' (D) reelection campaign dropped this very brutal ad.



And there's a reason why it's so brutal: It's the truth. Back in August, Becky Harris told Steve Sebelius she opposes SB 221, Senator Jones' background checks bill. While Senator Jones has been out front leading the way on curbing senseless gun violence...



Harris has offered nothing but occasional platitudes to the media and empty press releases. That's because she'd rather run as "Generic Republican" than run on her support for the "Ammosexual Agenda".

And speaking of agendas, let's talk about that other agenda Becky Harris has been all too willing to jump on board for. While Senator Jones has been quite vociferous in his support for marriage equality and LGBTQ civil rights in general...



Becky Harris has proudly stood behind the very same usual H8 filled suspects who have continually fought hard against any & all LGBTQ civil rights. She even took part in their campaign for the Question 2 marriage ban in 2000 & 2002!

But wait, there's more. Earlier this year, Becky Harris refused to respond to a Planned Parenthood PAC questionnaire. Is that because she didn't want to tell them about her work in the Utah Legislature? Is that because she doesn't want to admit to supporting the usual H8 filled suspects' War on Women? (FYI, Senator Jones earned a 100% score from Planned Parenthood's Nevada PAC earlier this year.)

It's easy to run around town spouting empty platitudes about being "not your typical Republican". It's much harder to have to defend that claim against an extensive track record proving otherwise. Michael Roberson & Becky Harris can run away as they want to, but they can't hide from their own G-O-TEA record forever.

Color Us Unimpressed

They're here! They're here. Yep, they made it. However, their opponents did not.

Last night, State Senator Justin Jones (D-Enterprise) and Assembly Member Marilyn Dondero Loop (D-Spring Valley) were set to debate their Republican opponents in their respective State Senate races on Ralston Reports. They showed up... But their opponents did not.

Last night, State Senator Michael Roberson (R-Henderson) had the opportunity to disprove the critics who've been calling his hand-picked running mates "spineless" for taking his marching orders to hide from the general public. He had the chance to prove to everyone that he & his hand-picked running mates have nothing to hide. But instead, all we heard from the reclusive Republicans was this.



Oh, and this. No really, Roberson apparently believes it's OK to leak internal poll numbers in lieu of actually appearing in public to answer questions from constituents. Does he actually expect us to believe it's OK for him and his hand-picked running mates to avoid public contact because his hand-picked running mates are "WINNING!!!"?

Not so fast. That poll is from Tarrance Group. Oh, yes. That's right. This poll is from the same firm that claimed Meg Whitman (R) was tied with Jerry Brown in the 2010 California Governor race (she ended up losing by 13%), and that Carly Fiorina (R) was tied with Barbara Boxer (D) in California's US Senate race that year (Fiorina ended up losing by 10%). In October 2012, Tarrance Group notoriously released a poll showing Danny Tarkanian (R) clobbering Steven Horsford (D) by 10% in NV-04 (Tark ended up losing by 8%). In addition, Tarrance released polls showing Republicans close behind or ahead in House races in California, Iowa, and New York... And those races were all won by Democrats in November 2012.

So Senator Roberson shouldn't be gloating right now. Even if "We predict 52-47 ROMNEY!!!" Tarrance Group had a decent reputation, it's never acceptable to substitute poll numbers for debate appearances. But since Roberson can't even release trustworthy poll numbers in lieu of releasing his hand-picked running mates, all we have to say is this. Sorry, but that is not how to properly remove a wig during a lip sync.

"People's Branch of Government"

We found them! They're here! They really do exist!

And here's what they have to say: Nothing. No, really. They're still saying nothing.

When spotted exiting a high dollar fundraiser, State Senate candidate Patricia Farley (R) replied with a mere "thank you" when asked her positions on important issues like gun safety and women's health care.



But hey, at least she politely refused to answer any public policy questions from the hoi polloi. When Becky Harris was asked, she just had her "paid muscle" shout "NO!" at the camera, then put his hand on the camera, then swiftly escort her away. Keep it klassy, Becky!



But hey, at least top secret Nevada Republican candidates Patricia Farley and Becky Harris finally appeared in front of any camera. We're still awaiting the return of State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson (R) to the public view. We know he has time to accept fake awards. Why doesn't he have time to debate Teresa Lowry on his favorite media pundit's TV show?



No wonder why even one "newspaper" columnist called Roberson and his hand-picked running mates "spineless". They refuse to debate. They refuse to answer any questions in public. They won't even come clean on what they actually stand for.

So why are they even running for office? Have they even looked at the job description for the office they're seeking? Right on top of the Nevada Legislature's web site is this slogan: "The People's Branch of Government". Roberson, Harris, and Farley are all running to serve in this "People's Branch of Government". Each of them is running to serve roughly 129,000 people in Carson City.

So why aren't they acting like it? Why are they hiding? If they want to represent people in state government, they need to stop hiding from the very people they're asking for votes.

Their Silence Says a Lot

"Not your typical Republicans." That's the meme Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson (R-Henderson) has been using in his quest to replace the "Minority" in his title with "Majority". And this meme isn't even true. It's all based on one dead horse he just can't stop beating.

But now, he's running scared. After Senator Michael Roberson pulled an outrageously misleading publicity stunt at local teachers' union headquarters, he's been pulling out of debates with Teresa Lowry, his general election opponent. And not only that, but he's encouraged his hand-picked G-O-TEA-in-disguise running mates, Patricia Farley & Becky Harris, to pull out of debates with their Democratic opponents as well.

So what are they hiding? And why are they hiding? Even Republicans like Former Nevada Republican Party Chair Amy Tarkanian are asking.



We don't often agree with Amy Tarkanian. But in this instance, she may be onto something.



Sure, we're now seeing our TVs light up (or darken down?) with misleading attack ads. And ironically enough, those attack ads are at least partially financed by the same person whose company's wrongdoing they want to tie to State Senator Justin Jones (D-Enterprise). Even Jon Ralston felt compelled to call BS on this.



Is it any coincidence that this ad dropped just as Senator Jones released his own TV ad touting the work he's been doing for his constituents? And is it any coincidence that this ad dropped just as criticism is mounting over Michael Roberson hiding himself, Becky Harris, and Patricia Farley from public view?



We've asked this before, but we must ask this again today: What are they hiding? And why are they hiding? These three Republicans want to represent a large portion Southern Nevada in Carson City. So why are they hiding from their voters?

Ironically, their silence says a whole lot about them.

Ready for Primetime

Earlier this week, we noted the absence of a once familiar presence from local media. Once upon a time, there was no way to peel State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson (R-Henderson) away from the TV cameras. Whenever he felt the urge to go on his favorite media pundit's TV show, he just went ahead and jumped onto the show.

So why are Michael Roberson and his hand-picked running mates now avoiding the very cameras he once cherished? Why are they now running away from the very media spotlight he once adored? When did Senator Roberson become so reclusive?

Has Senator Roberson suddenly developed a shy personality? Or has he just developed a deep fear of his general election opponent, Teresa Lowry?



We can understand why Becky Harris (R) is avoiding debating State Senator Justin Jones (D-Enterprise). We can also understand why Patricia Farley (R) doesn't want to debate Assembly Member Marilyn Dondero Loop (D-Spring Valley). Clearly, Harris & Farley are not ready for primetime.

However, Senator Roberson should have been ready for primetime since 2010. Hell, he spent countless weeknights prancing onto primetime TV in 2013! Why won't he debate his opponent now?

We doubt this has anything to do with shyness. Oh looky here, someone isn't ready for primetime.

Chicken

Normally, we don't do this. Normally, we don't post this kind of material here. But today, we must make an exception.

So here goes.

(Images courtesy of the Nevada State Democratic Party.)







After he took a quick post-primary victory lap (as in not even reaching 60% against an underfunded opponent), State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson (R-Henderson) suddenly clammed up. But why? He's become world renowned (well, among Carson City politicos) for his loquacious ways. What changed?

Now, we're hearing that he and his "hand picked candidates" are dropping out of debates. And not only that, but they're even avoiding debates hosted by Senator Roberson's favorite media pundit. What changed?

Is Senator Michael Roberson (R) too afraid to discuss his own record? Is Becky Harris (R) too afraid to explain where she stands on any issue (along with where she lives)? Is Patricia Farley too afraid to even reveal herself to local media?

What are they afraid of? Why are they now chickening away from any sort of public scrutiny? A while ago, the above mentioned media pundit claimed they were not hiding from media scrutiny, but rather taking time to be "groomed" before entering the media spotlight. So where are they now? And why are they even refusing to do his show?

"Not your typical Republican(s)"? No, this is very typical behavior. In fact, this is typical for any politician of any stripe who has something to hide.

And we know exactly why they're all in hiding. It's far easier to blanket the Las Vegas Valley with glossy mailers and glitzy A-frame signs than to meet the voters and face local media. And it's more convenient for them to continue beating their prized dead horse (via their campaign ads) than to actually explain their real policy plans.

We get what they're doing, but we won't let them get away with their ridiculous game of chicken.

The Final Say

So it finally happened yesterday. The first signatures were recorded for the The Background Check Initiative. State Senator Justin Jones (D-Enterprise), Victory Baptist Church Pastor Robert E. Fowler, Former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young, and Safe Nest Community Relations Director Lisa Lynn Chapman were the very first Nevadans to sign at Victory Baptist Church in Las Vegas. And they'll be far from the last.

Nevadans for Background Checks must collect at least 101,667 signatures by November 11. This means they must collect at least 25,416 signatures from each of Nevada's Congressional Districts by November 11. That's one tall order.



However, that's an order they're confident they can fill. And why's that? Check the poll numbers. Well over 80% of Americans (and Nevadans) support expanding background checks for gun purchases. And for the first time ever, gun violence was one of the top concerns for American parents in the University of Michigan's national poll on children's health.

Of course, the actual campaign going forward may not be as easy as those national poll numbers suggest. After all, we know the NRA will do anything to stop even modest gun safety reform (and spend plenty of money while doing it). Despite the NRA's own history of supporting gun safety reform legislation in the past, it now even fights against expanding background checks.

Already, Senator Jones' Republican opponent is trying to have it both ways on gun violence. While she claims she "hasn't made up her mind yet" on The Background Checks Initiative, she stridently opposed SB 221 (last year's bill on which the new initiative is based) because she wanted to argue over the definition of "transfer". Apparently, she hasn't read the initiative. And apparently, neither she nor her political mentor will admit that someone who's planning to use firearms for nefarious purposes does not "volunteer" for background checks.

So it's finally happening. The Background Checks Initiative is moving forward. Signatures are now being gathered. And despite the best efforts of the usual G-O-TEA suspects to obfuscate and delay this matter to death, the people of Nevada are about to have the final say on this matter.

Sign of the Times?

Who knew this one sign could cause so much trouble for a campaign?



This is just one of the Becky Harris campaign signs I pass by in my neighborhood. Here's another one:



As we discussed last week, Republican AD 21 candidate Becky Harris faces a competitive primary, and she will face a competitive (though more uphill) general election if she makes it past the primary. But yesterday, her big plans and lofty ambitions hit a bit of a snag thanks to the above pictured signs... And a rival campaign who apparently knew more in's and out's of Nevada campaign law than this lawyer did!

Candidate Becky Harris received a letter from the [Nevada Secretary of State's] office telling her that her campaign signs violated state law by not clearly identifying her as a new candidate for the Assembly seat.

“Based on the pictures of your campaign signage provided to this office in the complaint (enclosed), not using the terms “for” or “elect”, your sign is clearly in violation of (state law),” said the letter from Deputy Secretary for Elections Scott Gilles on behalf of Secretary of State Ross Miller in the letter dated March 27.

Harris said today she will add the word “elect” to her signs by about April 20 to make it clear she is not an incumbent.

Another Republican candidate for the seat, Swadeep Nigam, said today that Harris’ signs have not been changed since the letter was issued by Miller’s office.

“Ms. Harris has placed signs of various sizes throughout her district that give the clear implication that she is the incumbent in the assembly District 21 race,” Nigam said in a press release. “I would certainly hope this was not an attempt by Ms. Harris to deceive the voters of the district, but simply a matter of her being brand new to politics and ignorant of election law.

“However, if it is a matter of her not doing her homework on election law, I think it speaks volumes of her readiness to serve in the Assembly. Ms. Harris is a lawyer and if she can’t research and follow the Nevada Revised Statutes how can we trust her to write them?” Nigam said.

Although incumbent Assembly Member Mark Sherwood (R-Henderson) has endorsed Becky Harris to replace him in the new (and more Democratic leaning) AD 21, that still does not make her an incumbent. And frankly, considering the current political climate, I'm surprised anyone is really fighting about being considered the incumbent.

Especially when considering Harris' legal background, it's funny to see how Nigam caught her in this campaign law SNAFU. Maybe his background in the Clark County GOP led him to realize Harris could run into trouble over her campaign signs?

Without a doubt, the race here in AD 21 promises to be exciting all the way to Election Day in June... Then, it may continue to be exciting all the way to Election Day in November. And I won't be surprised to see candidates continue to find ways to trip up rivals to get ahead. However, this does surprise me at least a bit. I guess this is just a sign of what's to come as so much is at stake in the race for Nevada's Legislature.