Who Is Kris Steele, Speaker of the House?

When you look at the Republican Party, there are two issues that stand out as lines of demarcation between "conservative" and "establishment:"

1.  2nd Amendment Support
2.  Lawsuit Reform

Gun control advocates have consistently filed suit against firearms manufacturers with the express purpose of using the courts to decrease our access to firearms, to create an environment where the cost of firearms skyrocket as a result of defense of said lawsuits and finally, to disarm citizens.  Using the judiciary to accomplish what cannot be done legislatively, liberal gun-haters attack both of the issues that are important to conservatives; namely, frivolous lawsuits and the right to keep and bear arms.

And now, we have a Speaker of the House who may be inconsistent on both issues.

Kris Steele has seen his star rise in the Republican Party right along with his increased public support for 2nd Amendment issues.  For example:
*In 2000, he voted with the Gun Owners of America merely 36% of the time.  (Source)
*In 2002, he received an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund.  (Source)
*In 2008, he received an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund.  (Source)

In coming days, I'm going to take a look at these ratings, Speaker-elect Steele's views, his voting record, his quotes in the media to see whether or not his walk backs up his talk and since he's the Speaker-elect, he'll be driving the agenda.

And the two things on the Republican agenda are firearms and tort reform.