Posted on 10/18/2004 4:47:43 PM PDT by neverdem
Sen. Zell Miller urges gun-rights audience to support Bush campaign
CONCORD - With the sound of stock cars zooming by as a backdrop, Democratic U.S. Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia Friday urged gun owners to support President Bush's re-election.
Miller spoke as part of a National Rifle Association rally at Lowe's Motor Speedway before the Busch Series SpongeBob 300 race.
It was the influential gun lobby's first rally in conjunction with a NASCAR race, said Chris Cox, the organization's chief lobbyist. Former President Bill Clinton has credited the group with Al Gore's defeat in the 2000 election.
"NASCAR nation is NRA nation," Cox said. "NASCAR fans and NRA fans love freedom."
The speakers -- including Miller, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the NRA's top leaders -- said Bush's re-election was critical for protecting gun-ownership rights. About 100 people attended the rally.
Miller, who criticized Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry during a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention, echoed those themes in toned-down remarks.
"You know, one such person who has not been there with us when we went to battle for gun rights was John Kerry," Miller said.
Gun regulations gained increased attention in recent weeks after last month's expiration of the assault-weapons ban. Both Kerry and Bush say they supported an extension, but Kerry has criticized Bush for not pressing congressional leaders on the issue.
Frist said he would push to let any regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment "to do exactly what we did last month, and that is: let them go off in the sunset."
Iredell County resident Sandey Sigmon, wearing a T-shirt with the late racing legend Dale Earnhardt's No. 3 on it, said gun rights are an important issue for her.
"We appreciate the right to defend ourselves if we have to," she said. "If we start tearing away at the Constitution, you start to disintegrate what our country has stood for."
Eric Howard, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, criticized Bush's opposition to gun restrictions in a telephone interview.
"The United States is known as the great gun bazaar of the world, and George W. Bush is making it easier for terrorists to get guns," he said.
At the rally, the NRA activists also urged the election of U.S. Rep. Richard Burr for the U.S. Senate and the re-election of U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes, a Concord Republican. The NRA has endorsed both candidates.
Cox cited Burr's strong support for gun rights and Democratic Erskine Bowles' service as Clinton chief of staff as among the reasons for Bowles' endorsement. Burr said the nation's freedom includes preserving the Second Amendment.
"There are some things worth standing up and fighting for," he said.
A Bowles spokeswoman said he supports Second Amendment rights but would have favored extending the assault-weapons ban.
In the 8th Congressional District race, Cox said he didn't know Democratic challenger Beth Troutman's views, but added that the NRA normally backs incumbents who have favored gun rights. In an interview, Troutman said she supports the Second Amendment and would have opposed an assault-weapons ban extension.
As part of the rally, Cabarrus County commissioners Chairman Robert Freeman also presented a proclamation declaring Friday "Second Amendment Day."
Ronnie Glassberg: (704) 786-2185; rglassberg@charlotteobserver.com
Oh I dread the thought of Bowels in the senate. UGH, DOUBLE UGH
"Busch Series SpongeBob 300 race."
OK, this corporate sports sponsorship thing really should have some limits... the Sponge Bob 300???
Cox cited Burr's strong support for gun rights and Democratic Erskine Bowles' service as Clinton chief of staff as among the reasons for Bowles' endorsement.
Written in a confusing manner, Burr has the NRA endorsement, not Bowles.
Wasn't SpongeBob the guy who lost his job after he made some lewd comments?
They must be kidding.
Actually that would be "The Sponge Bob Square Pants Movie 300".
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