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.

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.

Gaining Traction

Here we go again. It's time for even more "rebranding". Earlier this year, the NRA decided to make a big splash with its own online TV channel. After all, that's where all 'dem 'dar "YUNG-GUNZZZ(!!!)" iz.

Ever since then, the NRA has been doing everything possible to "rebrand" both itself and the nature of gun violence. It's claimed "your dead kids don't trump our rights". It's tried to sweep away "unfortunate accidents" while redefining the English language. It's mocked the civil rights movement. Oh, and it's even demanded more guns at school while going Godwin.

We can't help but notice the NRA's rather interesting "rebranding" strategy unfolding just as Everytown and other gun safety advocates are taking their message to the streets... And to the phones. Last night, we stopped by a local Everytown for Gun Safety volunteer phone bank in Henderson. They were busy recruiting more volunteers to get out the vote this fall for pro-gun safety candidates. And no, they didn't need an online TV channel or a redefinition of various words to make their goals for the evening.





They just needed their cell phones, outlets, and snacks. That's all.

Perhaps that's because so many Nevadans support expanding background checks for gun purchases, keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of domestic violence perpetrators, protecting children from unnecessary harm, and other basic gun safety reforms. It's so much easier to state where one stands on securing our communities than to continually "rebrand" the source of so many senseless deaths.







We're not quite sure what the NRA thinks it's accomplishing with killer cop competitions, old fashioned duels, vitriolic personal attacks, and all around douchebaggery. But hey, if it ain't broke... Wait. The NRA may be far from broke, but it's increasingly sounding like a broken record.

And perhaps this is why gun safety advocates (locally and nationally) are increasingly gaining traction.