First off, read what they wrote. "Recently a JPFO supporter sent a letter to the NRA asking about its position on the BATFE." Notice it says "JPFO supporter sent", not "JPFO sent". JPFO did not write the letter. Also that means that the supporter wanted to know where the NRA stood on the items, not JPFO. I think that JPFO has posted in the past where NRA stands on certain things & Aaron Zelman talked to the NRA board in 1994 (http://www.jpfo.org/speech.htm), so that would lead me to believe that they know were the NRA stands on the issues.
The JPFO has helped (financially) with cases that the NRA wouldn't/didn't, Rick Celata (KT Ordnance) is one of the cases. I think they helped with John Glover's case also.
They are not saying that the NRA needs anyones permission, nor do they say that the NRA should.
They are trying to enroll the other gunowners, if they happen to enroll current/former NRA members that is the member's decision, not yours. They are growing like any group does, you can't just start up a group and poof have millions of members (be realistic).