There has been much discussion over the NRA endorsements of incumbent Democrats who have been supportive of our 2A rights. The last count I saw was 58, many of which are in key battleground districts.
As this flies in the face of the GOP in many closely contested races, do you feel the NRA is correct with these endorsements ?
The GOP may not like it, but I believe the NRA is acting properly. How far would they get protecting our civil rights if they bailed on supportive incumbent politicians come election time ?
Interesting question. Are you inferring NRA should stand for the National Republican Association?
Inferences are not customarily terminated with a question mark are they ?
Usually, but in this case the question does infer a view point, “AS this flies in the face of the GOP…” It seemed logical to think you were inferring there was an issue having the NRA endorse candidates other than GOPers. If you’d like to clarify by all means do so.
So backing a Democrat incumbent is something that gives the GOP the warm-and-fuzzies ?
Btw, the writer implies, the reader infers.
Semantics, especially for a blog.
So what does the writer think? Should the NRA be called the National Republican Association? Should the NRA only endorse candidates that give the GOP warm and fuzzies?
The NRA endorses incumbents who have a proven track record on their issue , the 2A. They are for the most part a single issue organization looking to advance their cause. Their cause will on occasion have overlap with other single or multiple issue groups. They weight each endorsement on a case by case or race by race basis. As a staunch conservative and Republican, I myself have had issue with certain NRA endorsements based on the totality of the endorses positions other that the 2A. At times I believe the NRA does pull back and sit on the sidelines based on issues outside the 2A. Their non-endorsement of Harry Reid being a perfect example. Reid has and continues to run as a pro-2A democrat despite his utter nitwittery on virtually every other subject under the sun. Here I believe they have taken a 30,000 foot view taking into consideration many issues. They may believe for strategic reasons that his exit may very well help their issues in the long run. I agree with their decision to let Harry hang alone.
My opinion is that the NRA should endorse those candidates that have earned it with their voting records. The intent of my post was not to put forth my opinion, but to solicit those of others.
Do you have an opinion, or are you going to continue questioning the question ?
Sounds appropriate to me. I am assuming you’d allow some speculation if it is a new candidate without an in-office voting record.
I fully support the efforts of Associations to promote their issues in an open and transparent way.
If the NRA never endorses a Democrat, then they will never vote favorably on 2nd Amendment issues, because doing so will discredit them with their base, and still not get NRA endorsement.
Stone is right, these problems lie within any single issue advocacy group. I also agree with Dan that the NRA policy of supporting incumbents over challengers when the ratings are equal in any given race is proper.
I’m not thrilled with the NRA endorsing a Democrat that may be better than his opponent on 2A issues, but otherwise supports and votes with his party leadership. I’m not a single issue voter though, but 2A is at the top of my list.
BO, no matter how many times you repeat National Republican Association – no one is taking your bait. I suspect if one of your favorite advocacy groups endorsed a Republican you’d be having a hissy fit. I won’t guess which advocacy group might rank for you, but I suspect it is not the NRA or GOA.
CMac, you’re chasing catnip again. You obviously don’t know my opinion of the NRA or 2A.
The real reason is not as obvious as you think: it’s probably all about those Democrats who supported a special exemption for the NRA in the DISCLOSE Act, which is an effort to stifle corporate political speech.
Your posts on TC give you away again BO. You are not 2A friendly, as a matter of fact – I’d call you ambivalent on the Second Amendment and openly hostile to 2A advocates. I can recall probably half a dozen times you ripped into Stone and others on that site on gun issues, even when the topic was not 2A related.
Your catnip comments are so cute.
BO, Feel free to clarify anything I said. It would be welcome and the FIRST time you ever did so.
Start with what you consider reasonable gun control and your thoughts on the most recent Conceal Carry Laws passed in Virginia in July of this year. We are all waiting for your reply.
CMac,
I support 2A. There is a line, and I wish everyone could get together and try and eliminate the illegal acquisition of guns. There’s a problem and it’s not as simple as only criminals will have guns if rights are taken away. We need stronger controls against criminal access to guns. I think there is a balance, and it ain’t all about arming everyone so then can shoot criminals when the encounter them. The NRA is a perfect organization, a noble organization, to enter into that discussion to come up with a reasonable answer.
You again are trying to make this a black and white, left or right issue. I completely understand how you can’t deal with my viewpoint.
I’ve had my fair share of time behind a gun, at the shooting range and I enjoy it. I am also not against self defense facilitated by a firearm. Here’s a little fact, I won first place in the Fauquier County Issac Walton League shooten match. Beat out all my law enforcement family and friends at that event. Got myself a nice pile of pork chops and 78 bucks.
Stoner is a gunslinger from the 19th century living in present day Loudoun County. He’s a “my way or the highway” type guy. Perfect for the wild wild west of the late 1800’s. Transparent, but at least we know where he’s coming from. He’d make a good character in a Larry McMurtry novel. I love those books!
oh yeah….me and my partner are gun slingin’ fags…can we play reindeer games? 
BO, But NRA did, they drove NICS.
“We need stronger controls against criminal access to guns.”
Like what, exactly?
It is already illegal for convicted felons to have guns. It is illegal for them to buy guns. Tell us, what more do you want? (And don’t bother suggesting gun registration — the Supremes have already ruled that people who are not allowed to own guns cannot be charged with not registering their guns, because registering them would be self-incrimination.)
Jay, at first glance, thought you wrote FAQS….
“There’s a problem and it’s not as simple as only criminals will have guns if rights are taken away”
Can you name one place in the US with draconian restrictions where this is not the case ?
Not thrilled to see Democrats endorsed for any reason this year, but I guess I understand. I hope voters will ignore the endorsements. The policy of always supporting an incumbent is annoying, probably why I let my membership lapse from time to time, including this year.
Sure are whistling a different tune now BO, except for the gunslinger slam on Stone. That is par for the course with you. I couldn’t care less that you won a shooting contest, congratulations. That proves nothing on your 2A views, only that you are a good shot. Why don’t you go more in-depth on Dans’ question about criminals and guns – because this is where it will get hinky. Also, if you’d care to comment on the July 2010 laws in the Commonwealth on Conceal Carry that will probably be revealing. This is interesting: ” I think there is a balance, and it ain’t all about arming everyone so they can shoot criminals when the encounter them.” So what is it all about Alphie? Do tell.
BTW – You are completely obnoxious with your “viewpoint” mantra – constantly pointing out how unique you are. It’s bizarre that on every subject it is all about you. Why don’t you just discuss a topic? Nobody else prefaces their discussion points with “I am special, hear me roar”.
I fired perfect scores with the lies of SS Foreign Missions guys and SS rank and file for 15 years. I had to….to maintain my employment. Toilet seats were for the other guys– and they worked for companies a couple rungs down the ladder.
I generally support the right for every citizen who feels comfortable with it to obtain and train for Concealed Carry. Only when criminals can somewhat calculate that one in three of their “victims” is probably packing….will they readdress their Risk/Reward Ratio.
Gun control advocates such as BO love to tell you about their Grandfathers shotgun as proof they are OK with guns. They go on to tell you they only want “commonsense” gun control laws. It is only when you begin to define “common sense ” that the truth begins to make its way to the surface.
How is that repeal of the Restaurant ban working out ? Where is the carnage ? Where are the gun fights born of drunken rage ? They don’t and will not exist..
Gun Control , the solution to a problem that does not exist.
Been there , done that.
Joe, I think it comes down to support demonstrated vs. support promised.
Ride the horse that brung ya…
“Gun Control , the solution to a problem that does not exist.”
And the solution that creates it’s own problem.
Where is BO to educate us on his special 2A positions? Come back BO, answer the questions posed to you.
The democrat party is now the party of socialism, and those that don’t speak out against it, are just as guilty of shredding the constitution. Their endorsements are meaningless.
seriously.
I don’t have any specific suggestions. It’s a very complicated issue, but I certainly would like to hear ideas debated that can somehow control guns being used in crimes, or guns getting into the wrong hands. Gun registration seems undoable. I think it’s close minded to just saw forget it there’s nothing that can be done to curb gun violence.
There IS something that can be done to curb gun violence — arm the law-abiding citizens, and train them to use those arms.
I’ve seen plenty of single issue organizations support a person of a different party from the norm. Right to Life organizations will support Dems when appropriate … sometimes with regrets as can be remembered by those that changed to support the Obamacare abortions.
The NRA does the same with 2A. It is within their scope to be truly single issue. The fact that someone is steadfast pro 2A is what they look for in candidates.
Fully worthwhile as well. It is called holding an issue above any party. I look at that as more true to principle than those that hold party above issue. Holding to party above issue is called power grab. Sorry, no thanks. Those that support the issues completely with the record they hold, and consistently and constantly support and say they support the issues I support will have my support.
Kevin, if you really are standing in that same place (“The democrat party is now the party of socialism, and those that don’t speak out against it, are just as guilty of shredding the constitution”) then I salute you.
No, the NRA is not correct to endorse liberals who happen not to have voted against our second ammendment rights yet. This is a very tough election. We conservatives expect to fight the liberal media, George Sorros, etc. We DON’T expect to be fighting the NRA. I cancelled my endowment membership.
Randy, to be fair: I object often and openly with The NRA and phone them with my displeasures. As a member, it is my obligation to allow the board to have understanding of its membership. Do they do good? Damn straight they do. We have re-obtained the freedoms set forth by the Bill of Rights which we had at the beginning. Is there more to do? Yes, and a one issue organization is what is necessary to do it. The NRA has the money, legal counsel and the membership to get these things done.
To the original question: The NRA usually doesn’t endorse all that many candidates BUT gives a “score card rating” on their votes or how they’ve answered a questionaire. Look at Va.’s governor election. “Gun-Ban Bob” againest a stanuch 2A Democrat. Did the NRA lose on that one? No, and for much of the reason that Cooch was a very PRO 2A candidate. Look how Bob deals with the issues now. The NRA is looking out for the future of its organization. It does make a difference in some elections but do you think many NRA democrat union members didn’t vote Obama? Course they did because they were trying to save their livelyhood-the union. Let the NRA do what it does. If you can’t see the other side of it or don’t like it, pick up the phone and call them. Someone always answers and listens.
The NRA may endorse whomever they want, but not with my money. Especially people like Harry Reid whenyou have a conservative running against him who also supports the 2nd amendment. There is more to deal with in this country, than just the 2nd amendment.
I’m a life member of the NRA and I am in disagreement with many of their endorsements this year. Some of these congress people they are endorsing are totally under the thumb of Nancy Pelosi who is rabidly anti the 2A. I have written to them, particularly after they were going to endorse Harry Reid, and they backed off that one however they did contribute some money to his campaign. They refuse to endorse Sharron Angle who is a solidly pro 2A and has an A rating from Gun Owners of America.
Here in New Mexico the NRA endorsed all three Democrats who are running for Congress. In our district Steve Pearce (R) and Harry Teague (D-incumb) both had A ratings, according to the NRA. I know that Pearce deserves the rating…I don’t understand how Teague got it. To add insult to injury they endorsed Teague! Teague is a Pelosi clone.
The NRA has made a very bad decision with many of their endorsements and it is going to cost them members. They were going to lose a million members over Harry Reid…they may lose more…starting with me, and I have been a member since 1955.
Is it really a requisite to be a Republican in order to belong to NRA?
No, but since the Democrat Party favors gun control, being in the NRA and being a Democrat are generally not compatible.
What the hell is the matter with you ? I have been a member for many many years , How can you pick one member over another ? Brian Munzlinger is one of your biggest promoter for the NRA he is always at the NRA Banquets, I have never seen Wes at one maybe people up here in nothheast Mo are not worth the trouble ! You should have been smart enough to check out who is your biggest member and promoter , I’am seventy two years old maybe it time to find who picks the people to run for this very important election . Our Banquet is coming up very soon . Brian Rateing is A+ Wes is A , The least you could have done is not to indorse either or both , Very unhappy in Northeast Mo. Every Member I have talked to think the same way , I would say thanks but what for ,
Ray McSorley
31459 170th St
Canton,Mo 63435
It is May 17, 2012, 4:15 am
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