[grumpygresh]

“And we can trust politicians’ words simply because of an “R” next to their name? Are you on crack?”

Did I say that having an R behind someones name guarantees fidelity to conservatism, free market and constitutional principles? No and never. This mis-characterization is a simplistic attack ofter employed by those that seek a straw man. I am against rinos just as I am against all Dems. Both oppose conservatism and the Constitution. The Dems oppose my values via direct assault and the rinos undermine my values through compromise.

As far as the NRA is concerned, it appears that they are ONLY concerned about the 2nd amendment. Because they support pro-gun incumbent Dems over equally pro-gun challenger Republicans, the NRA makes it somewhat more likely that a Democrat leadership will continue in the House this year. The NRA (and other narrow interest groups) have every right to do as they please.

My point is only that the 2nd amendment does not exist in a vacuum: it depends the entire Constitution and Bill of Rights. My strong preference is to support groups that support the 2nd amendment AND the rest of the Constitution to give it life. And this year, with the House on the line, we cannot afford to allow the liberal Democrat leadership to prevail because the Democrats (and treasonous rinos) are a clear threat to all of our liberties. We need Constitutional conservative, pro-second amendment Republicans more than pro-second amendment Democrats.

I hope and believe that NRA members like you are committed to the entire Constitution and that even though we may have a dispute over the best way for out nation to preserve all of our liberties, perhaps we can work together at least in some ways against the foes of liberty.

[upstanding]

I don't think I'm presenting a straw man argument. At its core, the situation is this: The NRA evaluates two candidates. Candidate A is an incumbent Democrat that has a pro-2A voting record and with whom the NRA has an existing relationship. Candidate B is a Republican with a 2A record that only exists on the survey that a staffer filled out and returned to the NRA. The anti-NRA people on this site (as well as firearms & 2A pundits such as Tom Gresham and Mark Walters) are openly angry that in these situations, the NRA chooses to endorse A over B.

What I say is why the simplistic choice for B? How many Republicans laid over, played dead, and voted for Kagan and Sotomayer? How many Republicans voted for the Clinton gun ban? I hate Harry Reid. I really do, but honestly, if I had to rely on his vote and voice for the 2nd Amendment, I'd trust him far more than some GOP pukes like Kasich, Ros-Lehtinen, Shays, or {snicker} Castle.

I understand that these decisions aren't made in a vacuum, but the NRA can't logically cast off candidates simply due to party affiliation. And that IS the criteria that the anti-NRA people argue the NRA should adopt.