Posted on 08/13/2009 11:15:01 PM PDT by neverdem
WASHINGTON — On the surface, it looks like it's been a bad month for gun-rights groups. First, the Senate narrowly defeated an attempt to allow Americans with concealed-weapons permits to carry their firearms across state lines.
Then Second Amendment advocacy organizations pressed senators to oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, only to see more than a dozen gun-rights backers support President Barack Obama's choice. Despite the setbacks, however, there's little gloom among gun-rights advocates.
And the reason is simple: These tough battles are helping them separate politicians who are merely strong supporters of gun rights and those who are 100 percent allies.
“This is a very new sifting process that's going on, and a very significant one,” said Wendy Long, general counsel for the conservative Judicial Confirmation Network.
With the 2010 election season under way, gun-rights groups are ramping up the pressure on lawmakers to side with them on every vote. By telling senators that a vote for Sotomayor was a vote against gun rights, the National Rifle Association and other leading Second Amendment advocates forced a handful of conflicted legislators to choose between their long-standing support for gun rights and their potential support for the first Hispanic justice in U.S. Supreme Court history.
It is a decision that could have serious political ramifications next year in states as different as Texas and New York.
Among the Republican senators with significant Hispanic constituencies who chose to oppose Sotomayor were Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn of Texas, John McCain and Jon Kyl of Arizona, and John Ensign of Nevada. Hutchison and McCain face 2010 GOP primaries against 100 percent pro-gun opponents.
Problems for Democrats But the Sotomayor vote was particularly problematic to three Democratic senators who have in the past received a grade of “A” from the NRA...
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Mitt Romney ""These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense," he was quoted as saying. "They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people."
Birthers damage conservatism If they can't impeach & convict, forget it. Clinton proved that 10 years ago!
When Liberal Leaders Confront a Centrist Nation
Eyes on the Real Prize - Democrats may bet it all on health care.
Some noteworthy articles about politics, foreign or military affairs, IMHO, FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
Like John McCain and George Voinovich, Mitt Romney is a boil on the ass of the pub party.
Geez, I wish he’d just go away. I have little doubt that he could fix this economic mess quickly and robustly, but beyond that I have NO regard for the man at all. In fact, I detest him. He’s one of the worst political hacks/whores to ever come down the pub pike.
I'd like the NRA to go after those clowns with everything they have.
Spend millions on ads - and get rid of these jerks.
He is referring to the possibility of losing votes, killing his chance for reelection.
Sounds like Mitt’s quote IS an example of the gun’s utility for self-defense!
“First, the Senate narrowly defeated an attempt to allow Americans with concealed-weapons permits to carry their firearms across state lines.”
Wrong. A bill to mandate acceptance of interstate CHLs at the Federal level was defeated. It has no effect on states giving reciprocity to other state’s permit holders.
FWIW, Harry Reid’s only redeeming feature is when he stands up for guns. He is beholden to his voters. He is one of the main players blocking the anti’s wanton take over.
Thanks for the ping!
I am asking all the gun group members to please put the intitials of the group you belong to in your tagline or your profile page.
If you aren’t a member, please join. We have to outnumber the antigun 40 million members of the AARP.
—good idea—
Before you ask the NRA to spend the money I send them, are you a life member?
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