NRA: 'We Were Offered One Pre-Screened Question' at CNN's Town Hall on Guns

cns news ^ | 1/8/16 | Susan Jones

[Nachum]

(CNSNews.com) - The National Rifle Association refused to take part in CNN's prime time town hall on guns Thursday night, much to the disgust of President Obama, who used the prime-time opportunity to plug his new executive action on background checks.

"And by the way, there's a reason why the NRA is not here," Obama told host Anderson Cooper. "They're just down the street. And since this is the main reason they exist, you'd think they'd be prepared to have a debate with...a president."

Chris Cox, the director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, went on Fox News Thursday night to explain why his organization stayed away

[Nachum]

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[BenLurkin]

“Debate”?

There was no debate last night. It was never intended to be a debate of any kind.

How easily that pos lies!

[ctdonath2]

So what was the pre-screened question?

Fortunately, there was a rape victim who DID get a chance to face the Obama and pointedly state the importance of personally owned guns for protecting self & family, putting the Obama in the awkward position of enumerating how “I’m not trying to take away your guns” when it’s plain that he wants to (even if he can’t find a legal way to).

[Leaning Right]

I didn't watch the event, but if the questioners were being called on, then the NRA made a mistake here. They should have gone to the event, with the pre-screened question in hand.

And then when it was time for the NRA representative to ask that “question”, he should have told the audience exactly what was going on instead.

As it was, the NRA retreated, and let Obama control the narrative.

As Al Sharpton might say: Resist we much!

[GOPJ]

CNN is so disgusting...

[driftdiver]

Anderson and Obama together? The only debate is who gets to be on top.

[Made In The USA]

Too bad Mark Levin wasn’t asked to speak on behalf of the NRA.

[sheik yerbouty]

In that case, Manderson Pooper..

[eartick]

As it was, the NRA retreated, and let Obama control the narrative.

Agree. The NRA failed to carry the message forward that they get paid for by all of the donations they receive.

I ask, would there be another reason they did not go?

[V_TWIN]

“I’m not trying to take away your guns”

You can keep your gun if you like your gun....sound familiar?

[relictele]

This has been an entirely pre-screened president.

[Mouton]

I heard Cox’s assertion. If this was broadcast live, he could have asked any question he wanted. If it was taped or had a delay, then his comment is accurate because asking a “pre screened question” at a “debate” only works to give the opposition an opportunity to be ready for it. Frankly, the jackass in chief is not able to debate at all unless the answer is on a teleprompter. I’d love to see him debate Cruz or even Carly because both know the traps and how to use info to their advantage.

[ctdonath2]

He _IS_ trying to make it harder/impossible to _get_ any more, fix them, or feed them. He’s not worried about you having one if it’s old, broken, and you have no ammo for it.

[ctdonath2]

I have to wonder how the rape victim got her time at the microphone. She pretty much destroyed his arguments, leaving him sputtering excuses.

[roadcat]

So what was the pre-screened question?

I can imagine it was similar to this:

Can I count on you to support me in my successful efforts to do away with evil killers using evil guns bought at evil gun shows from evil gun owners while I have done the best job ever as President, I am so good you know, and allow me to be the people's best friend because they love me so. Yes or no, only, as we have run out of time.

It's always about him.

[TangoLimaSierra]

...the NRA made a mistake here. They should have gone to the event, with the pre-screened question in hand.

I think the intent was to make sure the NRA turned down the invite. If the NRA had agreed you can bet another demand would have been made.
The whole purpose was so that obammy could say exactly what he said.

[Lady Heron]

This was no debate, it was pure propaganda ad for Obama.

Where are the ratings????

[crazyhorse691]

I respectively disagree. The town hall was a charade to give more air time for the child emperor to peddle his agenda. The presence of a NRA spokesman would have been a no win situation for the NRA as that the one prescreened question they were allowed to use would have been met by a long empty answer from the child emperor with no chance of rebuttal. The emperor would have controlled the narrative 100%. I am sure that the one question running through the minds of CNN and the emperors royal court is how did those pro gun people get in the audience?

[Marcella]

This was not a give and take conversation with those there. Obama did the talking and the NRA would have to sit there and listen to his diatribe about guns and they could say nothing. Obama would have liked them to be there with their mouths shut as he could say anything he wanted about the evils of guns.

You said, “And then when it was time for the NRA representative to ask that "question", he should have told the audience exactly what was going on instead.”

That person would have been cut off the microphone if he had said anything other than ask the question he was given.

I would not go to court knowing I could only say the words given to me and the other side could say anything they wanted as long as they wanted. That would be excessively dumb to do and the NRA would not do it.