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FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
Posted on 09/25/2007 2:13:46 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The National Rifle Association, which did not endorse President Bush in 2000 and 2004 until just a month before the general election, is considering stepping into the presidential campaign fray early next year during the primary season, the group's chief lobbyist says.
While the NRA waited until October in each of the past two presidential election years before endorsing a candidate, the group plans to take a more high-profile role early in the 2008 Republican nomination process.
"Historically, we have not gotten involved in primaries. We traditionally wait until after the conventions," said Chris Cox, head lobbyist for the NRA. "That being said, given the candidates and the process and the front-loading of the primaries, it is a possibility that we could get involved in one of these presidential primaries."
Republican presidential hopefuls know of the 4-million-member group's power. On Friday, they paraded before 500 lifetime NRA members at a conference in Washington, each making a pitch for why they are the best candidate to protect the rights of gun owners.
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who earned an "A" rating from the NRA during his time in the Senate, was the group's favorite. Meanwhile, the GOP front-runner, Rudolph W. Giuliani, left members underwhelmed.
"He's a flip-flopper," said Ed Hanson of Wisconsin, shortly after listening to the former New York City mayor's speech at the Capital Hilton. "He should say one thing and stick with it. Say what you mean and stand by it. He hasn't done that. And that's a problem — a huge problem."
Interviews with a dozen others who attended the star-studded event — all lifetime members, some wearing NRA hats, others in camouflage gear — found a consensus: Mr. Giuliani is not their man...(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
If the NRA endorses EARLY for primaries, I’ll send my dues check in EARLY as well. Good for them.
By European standards
I’d give it a 4.5 on a 1-10
Considering the national governments of the EU like Germany and the UK are 2-3s, it was an improvement...
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FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
Fred has a stellar 2A record, unless you are using the bogus GOA information...which I bet you do on a regular basis.
LLS
Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself. We need a conservative with a chance to win next November to sew up the nomination as early as possible. An endorsement from the NRA (despite its many imperfections) will help a bunch. Fred's the only guy who fits the bill. Duncan Hunter, who I REALLY like, IMHO has no realistic chance to even win the nomination, let alone the election. If he did, he wouldn't be stuck at under 5% and have very little name recognition outside of his district other than political junkies like all of us. He will, OTOH, make an EXCELLENT Secretary of Defense under Thompson, and will be a superb partner with Secretary of State John Bolton in shaping our overseas policies.
As a gun owner, I really, really like the fact that FRed has gone right after the gun owner vote. He's been appearing at gun shows and saying all the right things. Rudy and the other RINOs all look like children trying to force down a mouthful of Brussels sprouts when they say pro-gun things.
Another statement that I can't really improve upon. How can anyone who is a serious advocate of our RKBA not be completely, shiite-eating grin, ecstatic with Fred's in-your-face approach to gun rights? Oh, yeah, and he's for a strong national defense, low taxes, less regulations and laws from the feds, immigration control, etc. What's not to like (besides a few lousy votes, some of which he has courageously admitted were wrong). Fred's got my vote and my support...and, apparently, lots of other people's support, as well. Rasmussen has him with a 27% to 21% lead over the gun-grabbing candidate from NYC.
Go Fred!
No I do not think the EU is a success.
Well, aside from the fact you must know what most people aside from those on the lunatic left & a few fringe libertarians/right think of Paul’s rhetoric about the WO/Iraq/& his rapid conspiracy theories...
In practical terms please explain to me by what logic you arrive at the conclusion if the NRA is serious about protecting 2A rights that they would endorse a candidate that has no chance at winning the primary let alone the W.H.? Exactly what protection is Paul going to afford them by attaining less then 5% of the vote?
I think you’re correct about the Rudy/Romney/McCain deal but you’re wrong about Thompson.
I like Hunter but he’s had PLENTY of chance to break out, much more time to raise money then Fred and Fred is beating him hands down.
Wyoming Cowboy got a response about his RP comment and I think it was right on. RP doesn’t have a chance of getting the nomination and apparently Hunter’s inability to break out of low single digits puts him in the same catagory.
I don’t think FT should be placed in the same catagory as the 3 MSM and Party Official candidates they tried to shove down our throats. It’s probably more accurate to say he’s the alternative to that.
You are afraid of a think tank which has Angelina Jolie as a member.
If you think about it wouldn’t that be a very good reason to be afraid of it? Especially if it has any influence at all.
I can go that way! Sure! :-)
By Feb-March it will all be over. 1,986 delegates will have been won by the end of March. 1,259 are all that's needed to clinch the nomination out right. Conceivably, we could have a nominee on Feb. 5th.
Uh, Duncan Hunter's NRA record is A+
It's something that bothers me regardless of who I'm supporting. I just don't like how the coverage dictates the pecking order. It's as simple as that.
October’s American Rifleman magazine.
Anyway, I agree that Thompson is the alternative to the other three, and it confounds the MSM because his celebrity forces them to cover him even though they detest that he's a conservative and would rather slit their wrists than give him a minute of coverage.
I don't know about that. They're both generally great on the second amendment. Before you link me to the GOA page that ranks Thompson's votes and doesn't enumerate Hunter's at all, be aware that that ranking has some glaring errors.
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