Posted on 02/01/2006 3:48:01 AM PST by 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
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"My feeling is that the anti-gunners tagged Bloomie to be their spokesmodel since he is bulletproof (pardon the word) for election in NYC and evidently does not have his eye on any other office, so he can take the flack".
Don't know if the NRA is behind this one, but I'd love to take credit for it.
I love their opinion page.
Ill take one of each... wait.. make that 3 of each! and some ammo too!
No disagreement from me...I had a NYC carry permit for 19 years until Guiliani took it away (from me and hundreds of others) for NO REASON.
"No disagreement from me...I had a NYC carry permit for 19 years until Guiliani took it away (from me and hundreds of others) for NO REASON.
Did Mayor Mike shoot that thing his girlfriend is wearing around her neck with his big mouth?
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