Rep. Steve Stockman--a Republican primary challenger to Sen. John Cornyn of Texas--might be the closest thing in this election year to a middle finger running for the US Senate by itself:
"If babies had guns they wouldn't be aborted," says a
Stockman campaign bumper sticker.
"The best gun lubricant around," read a posting on Stockman's campaign Twitter feed. It was accompanied by a photo of an assault rifle and a spray can marked "Liberal Tears."
"For every gift of $10 you make
right now," Stockman promised on his Web site, "I'll send you one of my Obama Barf Bags."
Stockman seems to be betting--again--on his talents for nation-scale insult comedy, for grabbing free publicity with over-the-top attacks
on the hard right's enemies. He holds a place in the Hill's modern lore as an innovator in the art of shock politics. Stockman has now been the wild-man newcomer of two different House classes, 18 years apart.
1993: Opposed federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound
In his first stint in Congress in 1994, Stockman became infamous for his conspiracy theories about gun control. He contended, for instance, that the 1993 federal raid on the
Branch Davidian compound in Texas was staged by the Clinton administration as a political gesture to bolster the case for an assault-weapons ban.
Source: Washington Post on 2014 Texas Senate race
, Jan 4, 2014
AR-15 giveaway: the perfect Mother's Day gift
Stockman's famously incendiary tweets are enjoying increased scrutiny. Here's a sampling:
The time Stockman gave away an AR-15 gun to a Twitter follower: "Want to give Mom the perfect Mother's Day gift? Win her a FREE AR-15!
I'm giving one away!"
His campaign bumper sticker (April 11, 2013): "Our campaign bumper sticker: If babies had guns, they wouldn't be aborted."
Source: MSNBC AdWatch, "Twitter posts", on 2014 Texas Senate race
, Dec 10, 2013
Consider impeachment for Obama's unilateral gun controls
Back in January, Stockman considered pursuing impeachment charges if President Obama implemented gun-control measures without congressional approval. Stockman called such executive action "an existential threat to this nation," because, "Under no
circumstances whatsoever may the government take any action that disarms any peaceable person--much less without due process through an executive declaration without a vote of Congress or a ruling of a court." President Obama did enact a series of
relatively minor gun-control measures by executive order, after losing a fight in the Senate to expand background checks on gun purchases.
Stockman noted, "Impeachment is one of the many options, including lawsuits and other actions, we can take to
defend the Constitution." Stockman said he has attorneys investigating whether the president has violated the Constitution, and, if so, then it would be time to consider that step. "But it's the last resort, and it's a very serious step," he cautioned.
Stockman opposes the CC Voters Guide question on the Second Amendment
Christian Coalition publishes a number of special voter educational materials including the Christian Coalition Voter Guides, which provide voters with critical information about where candidates stand on important faith and family issues.
The Christian Coalition Voters Guide summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Further restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms"
Source: Christian Coalition Voter Guide 12-CC-q10 on Oct 31, 2012