Romney to Woo Conservatives at NRA Event

Time ^ | April 13, 2012 | CHARLES BABINGTON

[Cincinatus' Wife]

ST. LOUIS) — Mitt Romney's speech to the National Rifle Association is a high-profile chance for the Republican presidential candidate to woo conservatives who have viewed him warily for years.

The address on Friday in St. Louis also comes at a moment of heightened national concern about gun use because of the explosive Florida case in which a neighborhood watch volunteer fatally shot an unarmed teenager. The NRA strongly backed Florida's "stand your ground" law, which is at the heart of the unfolding legal matter.

It won't be the first time Romney has had to walk a careful line between appealing to conservatives, who form his party's base, and trying not to alarm independents, who will be crucial in the fall campaign against President Barack Obama.

Few conservative groups have a bigger name or broader network than the NRA. Thousands of members are filling St. Louis hotels and sidewalks this weekend for an annual convention that offers "over seven acres of guns, gear and outfitters."

The NRA is so vital to Republican politicians that Rick Santorum, who suspended his presidential candidacy Tuesday, is keeping his appointment to speak just after Romney on Friday. Others scheduled to speak at the "leadership forum" include presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

Romney has an uneasy relationship with gun owners. "I don't line up with the NRA," he said when he tried to oust Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in Massachusetts in 1994.....

[goseminoles]

Woo? Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

......."Congressional hopeful Ann Wagner, who keeps several guns at her Ballwin home, said she is confident that Romney will be able to connect with gun owners at the convention Friday. The key? Authenticity, she said -- which rivals and even some supporters might say is not Romney's strongest attribute. "You don't have to pack a gun to support the Second Amendment," Wagner said. "You have to be who you are. The key to actually connecting to people is not trying to be something you're not." Romney will try to connect at NRA convention

____________

And Mitt Romney is trying to be something he isn't -- and the conservative base knows it.

[Timber Rattler]

I bet liberal David Keene, former chairman of the American Conservative Union and current president of the NRA, who let GOP Proud into CPAC, is salivating over Romney.

Palin rebuffs CPAC, Keene

[marron]

If this guy wins we’re going to have our work cut out for us.

[Vendome]

Squib ...

[Sybeck1]

Before this transformation is over Mittens will Sgt York myself.

[EyeGuy]

The Democrat running as a Republican is in St. Louis, today?

I’m an NRA Life Member, but sorry, I’m going to the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals’ Home Opener.

Now, if it were Sarah, Newt or one of the Ricks......

[AmericanInTokyo]

Romney is a big phony and I am right on the verge of supporting Gingrich as a last ditch effort to fix his wagon prior to Tampa, if at all anything can be done about it.

[Marguerite]

Romney on Guns: In His Own Words

http://youtu.be/TYWDWRmz-_o

[Cincinatus' Wife]

C-SPAN Live NRA coverage begins at 2PM EST

"LIVE National Rifle Association (NRA) 2p Annual Meeting Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum Speakers: Chris Cox, NRA Institute for Legislative Action executive director, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Bolton, Former US Ambassador to UN, Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La), Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va) Majority Leader, Wayne LaPierre, NRA Vice President, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Oversight & Government Reform Cmte. Chairman, Oliver North Ken Blackwell, former Ohio Secretary of State, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Judiciary Cmte. Ranking Member, and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)"

[Marguerite]

Romney on Gun Control

http://youtu.be/bj8Nk3p1wyY

[The Cajun]

Wonder if this clown is going to show up in hunting gear and say he *wants him a hunting license* like John Kerry did years ago during his campaign?

Stinking northeast liberals both!

[Marguerite]

“I am right on the verge of supporting Gingrich”

We ALL have to put money where the mouth is. Against all odds, against the GOP elite, the pseudo-conservative media and pundits. Newt needs NOW all the help he can get.

Please consider a secure contribution to the campaign to help guarantee that Newt has the resources to spread his vision for America.

https://www.newt.org/donate/

Also visit his Facebook page and click on “LIKE”:

http://www.facebook.com/newtgingrich

and on Twitter

http://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=newtgingrich

[Marguerite]

Newt Gingrich to Speak at the NRA’s Celebration of American Values Conference

Friday, April 13 – 2pm – 2:15pm ET

[HiJinx]

Again?
Bah!

[Marguerite]

All should watch the last year speech Newt made at NRA - it is AWESOME

2011 NRA Annual Meetings - Newt Gingrich - Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum

http://youtu.be/_aMNzrPovu8

[Joe Brower]

This thread has just added to the FreeRepublic "bang list" (firearms interest list) by adding the keyword "banglist".

Any time a firearms-related thread is created on FreeRepublic, please be sure to add the "banglist" keyword to it so that interested FReepers don't miss it. Just a suggestion.

Let Freedom Ring,

Click the pic to go to the Gun Facts v6 download page!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

NEWT speaks - Friday, April 13 – 2pm – 2:15pm ET

Thank you for the schedule!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks Joe.

“banglist!”

Got it.