The NRA endorses Ted Strickland. Go figure huh?

… indicates just how far gone this once-stalwart guard of freedom has slipped into its role as behemoth lobbying insider.

I made a call this morning, and threatened to cancel my membership. I let them know that trading endorsements for pork with betrayers of the 2nd Amendment will not be tolerated, nor will trading infringement on free speech for all in exchange for the NRA being permitted free speech.

It looks to me like LaPierre and Cox need to have a little “come-to-Jesus” meeting with the reality of their constituency.

why would we think the NRA was immune? Whatever the elixir is their pawning, a lot of people are buying…churches, elders, gun owners. Like locating the cause of cholera, at least we know where it is brewed..down by the docks inside the beltway. Time to call for vermin control, and the honey dippers.

Of course, it isn’t because Reid likes guns. Its because he likes pork.

Geraghty does a pretty good job explaining the logic behind it. Assuming Dems will control the Senate, better for a single issue org. to have Harry Reid leading it than Chuck Schumer. It maybe seems rational enough, but I’m having trouble understanding it over the sound of Charlton Heston spinning in his grave.

I can see how the NRA isn’t beholden to any political party, but endorsing Democrats isn’t going to win them any support on the left. It will only serve to show how their mentality is more in touch with Beltway politicians than conservative gun owners.

as an organization that will stand for 2nd Amendment and/or other constitutional rights? If the answer is no, then maybe they should not be pressured against endorsing Reid. Let them destroy themselves while other organizations – like GOA – will be more than happy to take their place in numbers and popularity.

I sent the NRA an email expressing my alarm at the Harry Reid rumor, and a few hours later received a lengthy and detailed description of Senator Reid’s efforts on belhalf of the organization. The response did nothing to assuage my anxiety. I thought that I would share my response to the NRA email:

Thank you for your response. I understand that the NRA is a single-issue organization and that Harry Reid has, in the past, been a supporter of your legislative efforts. He does, however, have a viable opponent named Sharron Angle, who is currently ahead in the polls. She would most assuredly be even better on Second Amendment issues than Harry Reid, with the additional benefit that she would not vote for anti-Second Amendment jurists, which Reid always will.
The reluctance of the NRA to take a stand on this political race seems to me a little too Machiavellian. I do not believe that Harry Reid is a principled supporter of gun rights, but rather a cynical, manipulative politician who desperately needs the NRA’s endorsement to provide him with a thin cloak of moderation. I believe that he is using the NRA and that the NRA is allowing itself to be used. Yes, Harry Reid is powerful and has been a useful ally for the NRA, but the time for political pragmatism passed with the election of Barack Obama. An NRA endorsement of Sharron Angle, sooner rather than later, would be instrumental in placing her on the path to victory in November. A defeat of Harry Reid will be a victory for the American people, our political system, our economy, and for the NRA, because it will provide another nail in the coffin of Obama’s benighted, disastrous presidency.
Please demonstrate some courage and support Sharron Angle. Until such time that the NRA leadership proves that it places principle ahead of politics, I am withholding all financial support of the organization.

…that once the 2nd Amendment rights are gone, all the other rights will be easily removed as well. The right to keep and bear arms is the lynchpin of self-government and the only check against unbridled tyranny. The Founders knew this. The Progressive Marxists who currently rule The USA know this as well.

If they endorse a pro-gun person who is liberal on basically everything else, well it meets their mission. I don’t expect them to support other conservative issues solely because most of their members are conservative.

On the other hand, Harry Reid has not ever had a record of being pro-gun. Thus there is no reason whatsoever that he should receive a NRA endorsement.

They shouldn’t endorse either Angle or or Reid. Angle has been waging a proxy war against them, Reid basically hasn’t recently, and they should endorse neither.

I think the original concern for this possible NRA action is the June issue of their magazine where Chris Cox talked about gun ranges and then cited the Clark County Gun Park where he and Wayne LaPierre attended the grand opening. The major error in the article was in the 2 paragraphs where Harry Reid was given sole credit for this happening. Yes, he played a role, but so did the rest of Nevada’s Congressional Delegation. Republican Senator John Ensign did just as much as Reid in getting this done, But unfortunately, since he is dealing with other issues of his own making, he is keeping a low profile. What was further misleading was the photo insert showing Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NRA Grade “F”), Senator Reid (NRA Grade “B”), and Congresswoman Dina Titus (NRA Grade “B-”) there. Ironically, TItus played absolutely no role in this since she was first elected to congress in 2008. I had planned on letting the NRA know my displeasure about this pro-Reid article before today’s postings, but now I need to get off my butt and do it. Another thing to consider, when the legislation that secured the funding was passed (2002), Harry Reid was the Democratic Whip, not the Majority or Minority Leader.

Regarding Sharron Angle, she has always had an NRA grade of “A” and was endorsed by them for her runs in the State Assembly 2002 and 2004. If you believe what the NRA says about endorsements, this is based on her legislative track record, not what she stated in the questionnaire. When Reid ran for reelection in 2004, the NRA made no endorsement for that seat, they only posted the grades.

For the record, I am a Patron Life Member of the NRA and have been a member for over 30 years.

It just raises the question are NRA leaders possessed of an inability to assess peoples agendas and plans that would put Neville Chamberlain to shame or have they an agenda of their own ?

I understand the concept of buying political favor but the people the NRA have been trying to befriend of late have hated them from day one, and have been bought and paid for by people who hated the NRA from before day one.

I sent an email to the NRA tonight to tell them that if they endorsed Reid, I would call and ask for the cost of my membership to be refunded. This is the height of stupidity.

BTW, the NRA also endorsed Dede Scozzafava, the NY “Republican” who realized she was going to get beat by both the Democrat and the Independent candidate in the race, and at the last minute, withdrew from the race and threw her support to the Democrat anti-gun candidate, who then won the race for that open congressional seat. What a farce the NRA has become!

If you think the NRA has much to do with protecting the second amendment, you’ve bought the lie they sell to membership while consistently using their funds to undermine genuine 2nd amendment protection. Brady Bill – Compromise. Assault weapons ban – compromise. I left NRA for GOA during the Clinton administration. My dues go to an actual 2nd amendment protecting group, not one that has been selling it off piecemeal for political power for 20 years.

It is certainly frustrating to see a normally conservative group like the NRA back someone like Reid, but their approach has been very effective – support incumbents from either party who support gun rights. That’s why the Dems haven’t even touched that issue since they regained control of Congress despite their huge majorities. They know there are real consequences to crossing the NRA that can be at least partially avoided by supporting it.

And it also helps that there are a fair number of real swing voters for whom guns are an important issue.

nt

Our verdict on you…

Years ago when the world was flat the NRA had a women spokesperson testify before a Congressional Commitee who’s name escapes me.
In her ridiculous statement she said and I quote: “Magazine capacity has nothing to do with the firepower of a weapon.” I canceled my long time membership the next day.”
The NRA as with the Southern Poverty Law Center has been subverted by people who evidently belive that political expediency wins. That philosophy brought the conservative movement to the brink of extinction.
The endorsement of Reid by the NRA is unacceptable and I will cancel my membership again.

Assuming you were right about all this, of course. Then, sure, you got them to come out strong against Kagan. Any chance of a Reid endorsement has to be dead in the water, now…

But Barry will get his favors back, one way or another.

Conservatives must stand together. Single issue organizations cannot stand alone and individual politicians must support ALL the conservative view points if they are to win.

Look at the left. The racial groups all support abortion. the anti-life groups all support gun controls, gun control groups all support the ACLU, the anti religion groups all support the peace groups and everyone supports the greenies.

Since I see a logical and moral connection between all the conservative positions I have no problem supporting them all but if gun control groups start focusing on gun control to the extent they ignore the importance of pro-life, lower spending, lower taxes, religious freedom, … the second amendment rights will be lost. In fact the second amendment is almost certainly the first to go (it’s almost gone now).

I contacted the gun range I belong to as well as my local gun club to express my concerns about the NRA endorsing Harry Reid. (Here, to get a range badge for the firing range, you must belong to a local gun club. To join the gun club, you must belong to the NRA.) I’ve heard from both organizations who said like me, they were concerned and frustrated about NRA’s pending endorsement of Reid. The gun range added they were sending out an email to all their affiliated gun clubs to discuss the matter of having to join the NRA as a requirement to belonging to the gun club.

So contact the NRA for sure, but don’t stop there. Contact every 2nd Amendment organization you know.

…then they’ll lose me as a paying member.

I am a member of the NRA as is my wife. We have been proud to be part of this patriotic ogranization for many years. When the NRA supports harry reid and backhands freedom loving people by doing the stupak two-step and making a deal with the devil on free speach they have lost claim to my loyalty and continued membership.

I have contacted the NRA. As a long time member I informed them that if they did support Reid I would cancel my membership.

I also, after waiting for approximately 30 minutes, had a pleasant conversation with a rep also named Miranda (same one?). She also defended Sen Reid. She stated their decision will not come out until Sept/Oct. I explained he is a democrat, and she responded they are not a political organization, I informed her (forcefully) that the Democrat Party as POLICY is hostile at best and determined to emasculate/eliminate at worst the 2nd Amendment. That as a matter of policy, the GOP is the party of the 2nd Amendment. I brought up Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that Democrats are only allowed to vote for 2nd Amendment issues when their votes will not affect the course of the bill. Otherwise they WILL vote the Democrat line. I said I was disappointed with the NRA’s position on the DISCLOSE act, but while not agreeing, understood their position. I made it forcefully clear (I made sure she got my life time NRA membership number) that IF, IF the NRA endorsed Sen Reid I WOULD cancel my life time membership via signature receipt requested letter, and transfer all my monetary support to the GOA. She was quite subdued. Please continue the pressure.

Well, after leaving a voice mail on their recorded comment line I called back to speak with a live person. I held for 45 minutes and finally gave up. Sounds like we are keeping them busy. I do plan to call again later.

But let’s face it folks, the NRA and the AARP are both nothing more than huge fundraisers and mouthpieces for anyone who promises to cut them a deal. They are no longer principled organizations who give the small guy a voice.

The NRA is NOT representing their members if they endorse Reid and they should suffer the same loss of financial support and membership that the AARP did by supporting Obamacare.

Reid is a progressive and as such he is willing to cut any deal that furthers the progressive agenda. The progressives want a populace that is dependant upon the government and they want the government to be feared. As Jefferson observed, “when the people fear the government there is tyrany” My word to the NRA is don’t be like the AARP. Sicophants are regognized for what they are. Stand up for the second ammendment but stand for liberty as well.
If the NRA supports Reid the impact on membership will be catastrophic.

“… the key point — both people at the NRA and people in the Senate are telling me the NRA will be endorsing Harry Reid later this year …”

Eric, as you may have guessed from readership and the CNN job, you’re a player now — someone who is to be used, when possible.

Do you ever worry about being made a dupe, Mr. Erickson? Do you suppose there may be people out there who are every bit as clever?

If you’re right on this, I’ll not renew my NRA membership (14903XXX) for whatever term Senator Reid corrupts principle, nor praise the NRA by name. And I’ll apologize.

And if you’re wrong …?

BTW: The primary problem, as pointed out, is not endorsement or single advocacy. The problem is putting politics before principle; the problem is regarding law as means.

Although the form (strength through unity and number) can be corrupted by men, the enduring part will live on, supported by other of the true principles.

In this case, it is particularly sad. The gun-guys only have to work with 27 words. You’d think such brevity would lend itself to understanding; that the single hot spark would ignite a greater enlightenment.

They say they are not endorsing Reid and that Angle has an “A” on 2nd Amendment issues and that Reid “hasn’t helped” them. I pointed out that he sure helped the NRA on the DISCLOSE Act…NRA rep said they oppose the version in the Senate. I told him I’d never renew my membership if they cave.

Folks, you gotta call and be heard. Reid has almost 20 MILLION in the bank to pound Angle…You CAN’T ASSUME a Republican sweep in November…An NRA endorsement would hurt Angle badly…

Call NRA and be heard!!

You may also contact us by phone at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., EST.

Eric,
you were wrong about NRA confirming Kagan and you were wrong about NRA`s stance on the “Disclose Act” .

You were too quick to judge the NRA. If you are wrong about the NRA endorsing Harry Reid, I am discontinuing my subscription to your MB newsletter.

The following explains why NRA says it plans on supporting Reid. Received from a colleague who has friends that work for the NRA (we both live in the Washington DC area). YMMV, BIDI

“As we discussed by phone a few minutes ago, it appears the NRA
does indeed plan to support Harry Reid’s re-election, its rationale
according to JK being that Shummer of NY would replace Reid, and Shummer is the greater 2nd Amendment threat. Of course there’s more behind the scenes, but, like you, if NRA supports Reid directly or indirectly, that would end my NRA membership once and for all. And you and I would be just the tip of the iceberg.”