Romney No Straight Shooter on NRA (Editorial By Obama's Re-Election Campaign Co-Chairman)

Politico ^ | April 13, 2012 | Ted Strickland

[lbryce]

When it comes to gun rights, Mitt Romney is anything but a straight shooter. And when the presumptive Republican nominee speaks to the National Rifle Association’s annual convention on Friday, he’s going to have a tough time explaining a Second Amendment record that’s more scattered than buckshot pellets.

I know a real sportsman when I see one. My eight siblings and I grew up in rural Scioto County, Ohio, where hunting and fishing were our heritage, passed from generation to generation. Throughout my service as a congressman and governor, I supported sportsmen, in both my lifestyle and legislation. I’ve been an unwavering supporter of citizens’ Second Amendment rights and recreational opportunities – I even extended them in Ohio – and I’ve fought against every effort to weaken them.

Romney is hardly a consistent Second Amendment defender, or a lifelong sportsman, or a longtime gun owner. But that’s not the worst part. The worst part is that he pretends to be all these things, —pandering shamelessly to voters just as he does on every issue under the sun.

When Romney against Ted Kennedy ran for Senate in Massachusetts on a platform of gun-control measures like the Brady Bill and assault-weapons ban, he asserted, “I don’t line up with the NRA.”

Now he’s going to stand before that same group and — with a straight face - tell its members that he’s one of them. That dog won’t hunt, as the saying goes.

*snip*

And the NRA was right not to endorse back then. Once he became governor, Romney quadrupled fees on Massachusetts gun owners, making it harder for folks to get a license to carry their firearms.

[lbryce]

Ted Strickland is the former governor of Ohio and the co-chairman of the Obama reelection campaign.

Make sure to read the accompanying editorial from the New York Times on Strickland's Politico comments.

[Diogenesis]

Romney was exposed LYING twice that the NRA had
endorsed him for Governor. (like he did when running for POTUS).

Lying Chihuahua Romney:
"I also was pleased to have the support of the NRA
when I ran for governor."

Lying Poser Romney:
"I told you what my position was, and what I,
what I did as governor; the fact that
I received the endorsement of the NRA."

The truth; THE REAL DEAL:

Truthful Milt Romney:
"“That’s not going to make me the hero of the NRA”
Boston Herald (1994)

Truthful Milt Romney:
" “I don’t line up with the NRA.”
Boston Globe, January 14, 2007

[shelterguy]

Mitt is a liberal and I will never vote for him.

[Hugin]

As opposed to Obama who once told John Lott, “I don’t think people should be allowed to own guns”.

[hinckley buzzard]

I'm sure that come November the opinions of Ted Strickland and the New York Times will be very helpful to me. Thanks so much.

[thejokker]

I look at it differently. Maybe Romney is just not that interested in guns either way. Rather than pandering I see him as signaling that he is a team player on the gun issue.

Romney is not my first choice but I think it is important to find ways to tolerate him. Obama is infinitely worse.

[cripplecreek]

The problem with Romney begins to appear.

[opentalk]

During the recent debates he was asked about his opinion/record on gun rights. I don't remember the exact question...but his answer was a hedge. He said as governor he brought both sides to the table (paraphrase). Not a definite answer.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Rather than pandering I see him as signaling that he is a team player on the gun issue.

---

Yes, but which team? He could just as easily cave under the pressures of the democrats and the media when he is in Washington; just like he did in his home state.

[Sola Veritas]

IF you are implying that Romney is OK because he is opposed by Obama supporters...then you are pushing a fine line and INSULTING those of us that REFUSE TO VOTE FOR ROMNEY. IMO you risk zotting. Don’t even REMOTELY imply that we principled conservatives have ANYTHING in common with the Democrated party. Romney is WEAK on the 2nd Ammendment.

Stop posting “back door” Romney boosting posts or those that insult principled conservatives opposing Romney.

Time to wake up. Free Republic is not a place for Romeny boosters or those that hold to a ABO opinion IF it means supporting Romney.

[Sola Veritas]

“As opposed to Obama who once told John Lott, “I don’t think people should be allowed to own guns”.”

I for one am not impressed by your Romney apologetics. I’m pretty sure that Jim Robinson has made this a Romney free environment. IF you want to back door support Romney....maybe you should go elsewhere.

I cannot speak for Jim Robinson though.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Considering some of the people the NRA endorsed in the last election, this is particularly damming.

I quit the NRA over their endorsement of a lib Dem in NM district 1.

[Corporate Law]

Governor “Stupid”. He was the 2 in the 1-2 punch that leveled Ohio’s economy (Bob Taft was 1).

[cripplecreek]

[okie01]

Yes, but which team? He could just as easily cave under the pressures of the democrats and the media when he is in Washington; just like he did in his home state.

All the more reason to elect conseervative Republicans to the House and the Senate.

Surround Romney with a conservative Congress...and he'll have no place to hide.

[hinckley buzzard]

Don’t even REMOTELY imply that we principled conservatives have ANYTHING in common with the Democrated party.

One reason many of us Newt supporters grew nauseous at the thought of Santorum was that he came across as a bigotted, arrogant, sanctimonious, control freak prig...

Just sayin'.

[Recon Dad]

Amem brother, but the sentiment will be lost here on FR. Not my choice but God help us if BO gets two new Supremes in the next four years.

[lbryce]

With all due respect, sir, your cynicism is unwarranted, if not misguided. Sorry you fail to grasp the point.

[Only Sane Man]

Romney is slipperier than an eel in a jar of Vaseline.

[Sola Veritas]

The rule is very simple and I just reposted it here again for about the millionth time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2871707/posts. FR is a pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-constitutionally limited government, pro-gun, pro-liberty organization. Romney is none of the above (literally). We will not vote for or support a known abortionist, homosexualist, gun grabbing, big government mandate loving constitution trampling progressive LIAR!! And we will not waste our limited resources on FR for those who wish to defy our strongly held positions or our nations founding principles
Jim Robinson

What part of Jim’s message don’t you understand? Stop posting pro-romney trash....especially things that insult those of us that will not vote for Romney. Our not voting for Romney does not make us Obama supporters.