Posted on 11/11/2010 12:44:34 PM PST by neverdem
When you analyze the impact of conservative and single-issue membership organizations on the 2010 midterm elections, you find that one group’s efforts dwarfed the rest: The National Rifle Association of America.
The NRA spent $20 million on behalf of its candidates — nearly five times more than the combined effort of all other such groups.
In fact, the amount of money the NRA spent to defeat Democrat John Spratt in South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District was more than all the other Second Amendment groups combined.
The group is now well-positioned to protect gun owners’ rights at the state and federal level for the next 10 years.
As of this writing, there are 17 new Republican faces in governors’ offices, 14 of whom received an A rating from the NRA on Second Amendment issues, and two of whom received a B rating.
The most important of these might be Scott Walker in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is a state which might now join the 40 other states that allow their citizens to carry a firearm for personal protection.
It also means that 116 electoral votes that went for President Barack Obama in 2008, will now be hotly contested in 2012.
In the U.S. Senate, seven of the new Republicans are A-rated by the NRA, and one of them has a solid B+ rating. In addition, not a single incumbent senator with an A rating from the NRA lost election. This too would indicate a political tide returning.
Considering there are 100 seats in the Senate, it will take two more election cycles for the tide to completely turn. In addition, only two NRA A-rated senators could be considered at risk in 2012, while 10 Senators with NRA ratings of F, D and C will likely have contentious re-elections...
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Thanks for the help!
You did get one thing correct -- that the NRA is a single-issue organization, and that single issue is raising money. And the NRA raises a lot more money when the rights of Americans are under dire and constant threat by a communist Democrat controlled government.
The NRA made this abundantly clear in this past election. When Republicans have a majority in the House and Senate, there is no threat to gun rights, and therefore the NRA does not collect enough money from terrified gun owners.
Regardless of the pablum spewed by NRA shills, everybody can now see these NRA worms for what they really are.
My post wasn't a true or false dictum, it was an invitation for the armchair strategists to state how they would run it.
Of course, they already have an organization that does specifically that - the GOA. An organization beyond irrelevant in the circles of Washington.
My post wasn't a true or false dictum, it was an invitation for the armchair strategists to state how they would run it.
Of course, they already have an organization that does specifically that - the GOA. An organization beyond irrelevant in the circles of Washington.
“...No, I want the NRA to admit that they are an arm of the Democrat Party.....”
Stolen from neverdem’s post:
“...This campaign cycle, the NRA has endorsed 61 Democratic and 197 Republican House candidates, as well as 23 GOP and two Democratic Senate candidates......”
Does not seem like they/we are an arm of the Democrat Party - but hey, never let facts get in the way of a good rant.
NRA Life Member and Black Rifle owner.
If I were the NRA, it'd be the devil I know vs. the devil I didn't. Of course I'd rather have Harry Reid, or an unnamed Republican leader if they won the Senate, than Chuck Schumer.
Much as I've railed against the NRA this cycle {having been a member since the 60s} the NRA did NOT support harry reid, they would have but backed off and rated both candidates A.
Voter fraud elected harry reid.
When more votes are cast than there are voters registered, it's either fraud or the hand of God.
“This campaign cycle, the NRA has endorsed 61 Democratic and 197 Republican House candidates, as well as 23 GOP and two Democratic Senate candidates.”
This analysis does not tell the entire story. The NRA supported blue dog incumbents in close races over pro gun conservative Republicans. Sure they supported more Republicans, but who cares, they were in mostly non-competitive races. So, for example the NRA supported pro-gun Republican incumbent against the challenger Dem or NRA supported a challenger Republican against a Leftist anti-gun Dem in a deep blue district. These races were not close.
The real action is at the leadership level. These guys are following the party line when the close votes are needed. Just ask the “pro life” Dems.
These posts illustrate that the NRA has permanently damaged their brand with conservatives and it will be difficult to repair. A first step might be to get rid of the leadership at the NRA that went along with this strategy. Otherwise, the NRA can try to find support in San Francisco, upper east side Manhattan and Cambridge MA. Good luck with that.
Why were the Democratic candidates blue dogs anyway?
Because they were in close races and carried a pro-gun record.
Correlation does not imply causation.
Why can’t you just quit the NRA bashing, be happy that you have your 100% Republican-only GOA, and leave the NRA to those of us who actually want to influence policy in Washington?
“leave the NRA to those of us who actually want to influence policy in Washington?”
I think that Washington has influenced you and your beloved NRA. Great, now the NRA is an elite organization and us conservative peons should just shut up because we love the whole Constitution.
I and real conservative care about the whole Constitution, the NRA does not. I don’t care about the NRA, but you can do as you please.
Absolutely! After their antics over the past few years, everyone with a brain and a little honor can call it like it is... The NRA is not the 2A's best friend, they have taken multiple sides on the 2A, whichever side will get them the most bucks and keep the "issue" burning.
They supported many Democrats which have and are engaged in destroying our country. But the truth is now in the open, no matter how shrill the the NRA groupies get, one thing is obvious, the NRA has stabbed us in the back many times over the years and they will do so again when it suits them.
But I think after their 2010 antics were exposed (such as supporting Democrat Socialists and trying to carve a niche for themselves in the "Disclose ACT", they will be doing it with less members and funds.
The NRA endorsed Harry for the primary. Also, Reid ran ads all over Nevada quoting LaPierre abotu the range in Vegas using comments like “Harry Reid is a strong gun rights supporter..”
Schumer can't do anything without the votes, and a Reid win is one more vote for the leftists. In fact, it encourages Obama and company.
I don't think you will make friends for the NRA here by defending Reid, who came close to imposing amnesty on this nation. 10s of millions of new Dem, or worse, voters, would lead to permanent leftist control of all 3 branches, and that would be disastrous for the 2nd amendment, 1st amendment, other fundamental freedoms, and the economy.
+1... Well said, if the NRA leadership is replaced, I would consider throwing support back behind the group, until then there are some other good players out there.
Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)
I’m glad it didn’t propel our “blue dog” dhimmicrat, Frank Kratovil, back into office. The NRA endorsed him despite him voting 85% with the majority.
I’m not sure I’ll be renewing my NRA membership this coming year.
I am an American and a Conservative way before I am a member of the NRA... which I am and have been since childhood.
LLS
I see your premise as being flawed. Here is one bit of reality... the NRA could care less what either of us think. It is not the NRA that I joined as a kid... or my Father’s NRA... or before him... his Father’s. Anyone paying close attention to what the NRA leadership has been about the last few years, cannot be happy with what has taken place. They have done some very good things... but they are much like politicians today... untrustworthy and out for themselves.
LLS
This is not a single issue argument. As I posted above, 10s of millions of new leftist voters would threaten the 2nd amendment as well a the rest of what is left of the power of the real constitution. Some GOP members may be on the wrong side too.
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