NRA, in response to candidate mailer, denies giving Eichenbaum an “A” rating

In response to a claim made by Dr. Dan Eichenbaum‘s campaign of an “A” rating given by the National Rifle Association, the nation’s largest gun lobby released a statement today denying that it had ever given out such out a rating to Eichenbaum or any candidate in the Republican primary race in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

The supposed rating appeared prominently on a mailer to Republicans with the words: “A” rating from the NRA. Member, NRA, Gun Owners of America. The NRA Statement indicated that ratings and endorsements in this race will be released “at a later date” and will come from the The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) directly.

Matt Hoagland, Eichenbaum’s campaign manager, told Xpress that a statement from the campaign will be forthcoming.

— Michael Muller, contributing reporter

UPDATE (6:51 PM)

The Eichenbaum campaign, in response to the XPress story, issued the following statement (reproduced in its entirety):

April 30, 2010
Eichenbaum will continue to vigorously defend the 2nd Amendment

ASHEVILLE, NC – It has recently come to the attention of the Eichenbaum campaign that there may be some confusion pertaining to a recent mailing espousing Dr. Dan’s unequivocal support of the 2nd Amendment.  On April 13th at 9:57am, prior to sending the mail-piece in question, the campaign contacted Jeff Freeman, Senior Federal Lobbyist of NRA Federal Affairs,  at the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) both to ensure that the NRA’s candidate questionnaire had been received and also to assess what rating, if any, had been given to Dr. Eichenbaum.  During the call, which lasted approximately 8 minutes, Mr. Freeman confirmed receipt of the candidate questionnaire and stated that Dr. Dan Eichenbaum’s questionnaire had received the highest possible rating, an “A”.  In addition, Mr. Freeman said that the NRA would not be making an express endorsement within the primary election.

Dr. Eichenbaum was pleased to have had the NRA rate his questionnaire with such high marks and was surprised to learn of the apparent miscommunication within the distinguished organization, of which he is a proud member.  “I remain proud of the NRA’s “A” rating on my candidate questionnaire”, Dr. Eichenbaum stated, “I am also proud my 100% rating by “Grassroots North Carolina”, our state’s leading advocate and defender of 2nd Amendment rights.”

In conclusion Dr. Dan stated, “The real testament of my unwavering position on the second amendment can be evidenced by the incredible outpouring of support, volunteers, and votes that I have received by the men and women of this district who feel as strongly about the protection of our right to bear arms as I do.  As your next congressman, I understand that the most important words in the 2nd Amendment are “…shall not be infringed.” and I will vigorously advocate for the protection of this important right.”

Dr. Dan Eichenbaum is, and will continue to be, the strongest of advocates for the 2nd Amendment and the preservation of our right, as Americans, to keep and bear arms. 

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For additional information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Dan Eichenbaum please contact Brian Umbarger at 828-216-6645 or via email at brian@drdan4congress.com

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14 thoughts on “NRA, in response to candidate mailer, denies giving Eichenbaum an “A” rating

  1. marrisasellers

    Poor Robert Danos – Who woulda thunk that the little ‘ol tea party candidate would be beatin the establishment’s pick. He’s working so hard with his “whisper” campaigns and the Miller camp to minimize the tea party pick with these pathetic distractions. It’s clear that Dr. Dan didn’t intentionally set out to mislead anyone. And when it comes to the Second Amendment, he gets an A+++++

  2. The highest possible rating is “A+” not “A”.

    Here is the scoring system used by the NRA-PVF:

    A+ A legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.

    A Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues.

    AQ A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.

    Source: http://www.nrapvf.org/WhatTheGradesMean.aspx

    Besides, the NRA has already endorsed a candidate in the 2010 race, Congressman Heath Shuler. http://www.nrapvf.org/Elections/State.aspx?y=2010&State=NC#U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  3. marrisasellers

    Dr. Dan’s team never insinuated that he was ENDORSED by the NRA so stop with your rhetoric attempting to make an issue out something that just isn’t. The simple misstatement was that he received an A rating and that was with regard to his questionnaire. There’s no doubt that when Dr. Dan IS the next congressman for this district, he will receive the NRA endorsement. Everyone knows he is the most pro-gun (pro-life, conservative, knowledgeable, non-establishment and politics as usual) candidate in this race. Go Dr. Dan!

  4. John Westmoreland

    I have begun to notice a pattern with Dr. Dan. He claimed to be the first candidate to raise 100K. That was a lie unless paying yourself counts as ‘raising’ money. He want to legalize drugs except chemical drugs to minors. What a great message to send to our youth. He just called the NRA a liar. After they said he never received an A rating. We don’t need this guy in congress. We need Aixa Wilson! You tea baggers need to come out from under the rock.

  5. marrisasellers

    Dr. Dan’s team never insinuated that he was ENDORSED by the NRA so stop with your rhetoric attempting to make an issue out something that just isn’t. The simple misstatement was that he received an A rating and that was with regard to his questionnaire. There’s no doubt that when Dr. Dan IS the next congressman for this district, he will receive the NRA endorsement. Everyone knows he is the most pro-gun (pro-life, conservative, knowledgeable, non-establishment and politics as usual) candidate in this race. Go Dr. Dan!

  6. UNaffiliated Voter

    There is NO other more qualified candidate to represent the 11th Congressional District than
    Dr. Dan Eichenbaum! Until we can have another party or independent candidate get exposure, then Dr. Dan is HANDS DOWN the BEST CHOICE!!!

    (you dont see these kinds of endorsements for the others, do you?)

  7. KtotheB

    Gun Control, to me, is one of those BS issues that people of, sadly, limited intellect make lots of noise and declarations about in order to avoid thinking or doing something of any real use to any of us. He got any bright ideas for scarin up a few jobs, or is he just hopin’ his unequivocal support for the 2nd Amendment will get us all through these tough times?

  8. Dr. Dan is an advocate, primarily, of individual rights, including the right of individual self-defense.

    If, after all that has gone before, anyone still feels confused or uninformed about his stand on a whole host of related issues, feel free to visit his campaign website to get a better sense of his well-rounded, integrated political philosophy:

    http://drdan4congress.com/

    Dr. Dan is endorsed by the Asheville Tea Party.
    http://ashevilleteapac.com/

    The Asheville Tea Party is an independent, local, voluntary, nonpartisan, grassroots political activist organization that stands for individual rights, limited government, fiscal responsibility and free markets; and was created by individual concerned citizens in response to the out-of-control growth of government power, scope, arrogance, recklessness and corruption.

    We stand for restoring the supremacy of individual rights in American society; for re-establishing an objective rule of law under a constitutionally-limited and accountable government; for fiscal responsibility that does not privatize profits and socialize losses. We stand for the full realization of an economy that is free from political interference and political controls. And we stand for tax relief for private individuals, business-people and entrepreneurs who involuntarily provide boundless resources to an unlimited and corrupted government.
    ………………………..

  9. marrisasellers

    Dr. Dan’s team never insinuated that he was ENDORSED by the NRA so stop with your rhetoric attempting to make an issue out something that just isn’t. The simple misstatement was that he received an A rating and that was with regard to his questionnaire. There’s no doubt that when Dr. Dan IS the next congressman for this district, he will receive the NRA endorsement. Everyone knows he is the most pro-gun (pro-life, conservative, knowledgeable, non-establishment and politics as usual) candidate in this race. Go Dr. Dan!

  10. Betty Cloer Wallace

    Gun Control, to me, is one of those BS issues that people of, sadly, limited intellect make lots of noise and declarations about in order to avoid thinking or doing something of any real use to any of us. He got any bright ideas for scarin’ up a few jobs, or is he just hopin’ his unequivocal support for the 2nd Amendment will get us all through these tough times?

    I, too, unequivocally support the 2nd Amendment and freedom and liberty and individual rights and family values and limited government and fiscal responsibility and the flag and mother’s milk and little kittens and all the rest.

    And I own guns, as do most of my neighbors, and I can shoot them, but my aim is not the greatest, and a gun in my hands makes me both more dangerous and vulnerable than most gun owners, criminal or law-abiding.

    But, as a political issue, so what? The historic meaning and purpose of gun ownership has been bastardized beyond belief, and John Wayne is irrelevant.

    KtotheB is right. Gun control and the 2nd Amendment are way overdone as macho hot-button straw-man arguments in political campaigns when more important issues need to be at the forefront and debated vigorously—serious economic issues that have direct meaning in the everyday lives of the majority of citizens. Even the need for true criminal justice reform has been overshadowed by superficial gun ownership noise.

    Jobs, health care, taxes, child welfare, and education matter. Guns don’t.

  11. marrisasellers

    Dr. Dan’s team never insinuated that he was ENDORSED by the NRA so stop with your rhetoric attempting to make an issue out something that just isn’t. The simple misstatement was that he received an A rating and that was with regard to his questionnaire. There’s no doubt that when Dr. Dan IS the next congressman for this district, he will receive the NRA endorsement. Everyone knows he is the most pro-gun (pro-life, conservative, knowledgeable, non-establishment and politics as usual) candidate in this race. Go Dr. Dan!

  12. Killarue

    Thanks to KtotheB and Betty, the conversation becomes more honest. I don’t own guns and don’t care for them, but I have no beef about gun ownership. Where is all this NRA rhetoric coming from; who is coming to take the guns away and why do people feel that they have to protect themselves so vigorously from the government. I know, maybe naive, but please stop the lying. BTW, where is this mythical Free Market society that allows businesses to do whatever they want. Human nature is human nature and TP candidates can be corrupted just as easily as donkeys and elephants. BTW again, TPs are not the only ones that have serious concerns about the state of this country, so don’t think that you own it. I am all about fair and honest debate but until some distance is added by TPs from their ‘radical fringe’, then I will not take them seriously.

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