MIKE'S GAL TAKES BULLET [NRA power in DC]

NY Post ^ | Feb 1, 2006 | GEOFF EARLE

[Pharmboy]

SHOOTOUT: The anti-gun rhetoric of Mayor
Bloomberg, with girlfriend Diana Taylor,
infuriated National Rifle Association bigshots.
Photo: AP

February 1, 2006 -- WASHINGTON — The powerful National Rifle Association killed the appointment of Mayor Bloomberg's girlfriend to a top federal post in retaliation for Hizzoner's campaign against the gun group, Senate sources said yesterday. Diana Taylor, the state banking commissioner, had been widely seen as a shoo-in as late as last week to head the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which oversees the nation's banks.

But the NRA wound up maneuvering behind the scenes to block her nomination at the last minute, to send a message to her billionaire boyfriend, sources told The Post.

"It's obvious the NRA hasn't been pleased with the mayor's campaign against guns," a Senate aide said.

"They wanted to do a little bit of political payback . . . They just killed it."

The apparent revenge attack comes after Bloomberg made a "war on guns" a top priority for his new term, taking several high-profile swipes at the lobbying organization amid a Post campaign for tougher anti-gun laws.

In his inaugural address last month, Bloomberg — in what aides called a reference to the NRA — said, "To those who distort our laws and aid and abet hardened criminals, know this: We will not rest until we secure all the tools we need to protect New Yorkers from the scourge of illegal guns."

The mayor also ripped lawmakers who give in to the gun lobby, calling them "cowards," and this month slammed them for limiting the activities of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

"It shows the power of one advocacy organization and, I would argue, the cowardice of people who succumb to their pressure," he said at the time.

The mayor declined comment

[Pharmboy]

Guns don't cause crime, Mike, peoples do. Check the Bill of Rights, Mike.

[Clemenza]

The NRA went RINO hunting and bagged one. In this case, Mike Bloomberg's beard!

[AngelesCrestHighway]

I'm pack'in Mike..come and get me....

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I hope we did it! Next thing is to get Bloomie moved to the the democrat party where he belongs, or, preferably, retired!

[Lurker]

Paybacks a bitch.

L

[G.Mason]

" ... But the NRA wound up maneuvering behind the scenes to block her nomination at the last minute, to send a message to her billionaire boyfriend, sources told The Post."

Sorry Geoff, but it's 2006 and "sources" just don't make an assumption true anymore.

Nice try though.

[Pharmboy]

Mike's a poofter??

[Clemenza]

I don't think so, but he always came across as "swishy" to me and my ex-girlfriend, the latter of whom met him.

[stevem]

To those who distort our laws and aid and abet hardened criminals

Sounds like a description of Democrats...and RINOS.

[freepatriot32]

its about damn time the nra found their testicles.Maybe now they will stop with all the apeasment and compromise talk but im not holding my breathe.They have been the most liberal of the pro gun groups so far this decade

[Pharmboy]

When you described his galpal as a "beard" that's what you implied. I agree he is a bit affected, but I believe he plays for our team.

[Delmarksman]

Exactly!
Wanna stop Gun Crime?
Put the criminals in Prison an keep them there.

[angkor]

a Senate aide said.

Can't read the full article without registration, did it have at least a rebuttal from the NRA?

Otherwise, it's pretty smarmy to use anonymous sources on such a low-level appointment, if they are to be used at all (and they shouldn't).

[LibLieSlayer]

Mayor "bloomers"... what a pantload!

LLS

[dbehsman]

This story does sound a little like a crock of crap. I wonder how the NRA is going to respond.

[eeevil conservative]

[G.Mason]

Good question. I would not register either, and cannot answer you.

It's no secret that the NRA has been "gunning" for the socialist mayor, who is a Rino of the first order. (among other things) Bloomberg has indicated he would involve himself in anti-gun legislation in other states.

He is a guy who spent over $80 million dollars of his own money to be mayor.

He's either very shrewd and going triple that by his being mayor, or he is a a self aggrandizing fool.

[G.Mason]

" ... I wonder how the NRA is going to respond."

To be continued. ;)

[Dante3]

What's that around the girlfriend's shoulders? Where is PETA?

[dbehsman]

From the article:

The NRA insisted it was not involved in nixing Taylor's nomination.

"We didn't have anything to do with it — that's outside our purview," spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said. "Our issue is with the mayor, and not anyone else."

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who sits on the NRA board, hinted that there was another reason for Taylor's doomed FDIC bid.

"I think she has more baggage than a friend who's the mayor of New York [at battle with] the NRA," he told The Post last night. "That's what I've been told."



It's starting to sound like the mayor and/or the New York Post were looking to get a cheap shot in at the NRA. If Bloomberg is this petty, I imagine that his girlfriend isn't far behind. NOW I don't want to see her get the job.

If Bloomberg wants to make life hard, I think we can oblige him easily.