Noem Violates VoteSmart.org Rules in Tricky NRA Mailing

Team Kristi has more explaining to do. The Republican candidate for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat is already catching heat for its "unfortunate" misrepresentation of the National Rifle Association's endorsement of Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Now eager reader Jim Hock distinguishes himself as commenter of the day (sorry, Jim, no prize but praise!). Instead of listening to shouting, Mr. Hock takes the initiative to find, read, and list all of the reasons the NRA prefers Herseth Sandlin over Noem. Mr. Hock then checks the claims Rep. Noem supports with her citation of VoteSmart.org and observes the following:

Please note that Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or program in any partisan activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

Read that notice to candidates from Project Vote Smart right here.

I guess that's just one more rule Kristi Noem is in too much of a hurry to follow.

(And no, I'm not campaigning here; I'm reporting. I think, therefore, that my mention of and linkage to VoteSmart.org satisfies their rules. But if PVS has its lawyers call me, I'll understand... as long as they contact Team Kristi first.)

Portion of Mis-Representative Kristi Noem's NRA flyer, showing the political misuse of the VoteSmart.org name (not to mention the stunningly illogical apples-to-kumquats comparison Noem manufactures on Second Amendment issues) Click image to enlarge.

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Bonus Local NRA Note: For those who want to dismiss the NRA's endorsement of SHS by saying they just endorse incumbents, check out the State House races: the NRA gives incumbent District 8 Representative Mitch Fargen an A- and endorses him. However, they give Rep. Gerry Lange a C and do not endorse him (or anyone else on our local ballot).

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Update 2010.10.18 15:05 CDT: On further review, we discover that Noem misrepresents Herseth Sandlin's score from the Gun Owners of America. VoteSmart.org currently lists that rating as a D. The Gun Owners of America themselves currently list SHS's rating as B-. So which rating does Noem choose: the rating posted at the original source, or the lower rating at a secondary source that needs updating? Of course, Noem chooses her pitch over reality.