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The Spectacle Blog
Despite the rumors, the National Rifle Association didn’t end up endorsing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (they decided to stay out of the Nevada Senate race). But 58 congressional Democrats did get the gun-rights group’s nod for November. As the Washington Post reported last week, this includes some incumbents in key districts Republicans need to win to retake Congress. This includes Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Tom Perriello (D-Va.), despite their pro-gun GOP challengers.
“There is no more anti-Second Amendment vote than a vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker,” Charles Hurt, Perriello’s Republican opponent, told the Post. But there are two reasons for what might seem like a large number of Democratic endorsements: Democrats have dropped their support for gun control, especially in conservative-leaning, gun-owning districts, since the 2006 elections; the NRA also has an incumbent’s policy, meaning that if two candidates are considered relatively pro-gun, they’ll usually back the sitting member.
Of course, there have been exceptions to this policy: the NRA has endorsed against longtime allies when they have voted for big-ticket gun control items in the past. The NRA is a gun group, not a pro-Republican organization. But some of these decisions have irritated its partners in the conservative movement, as I noted in a recent piece for the print magazine.
Ken (Old TexicanVI)| 10.11.10 @ 5:53PM
Old Texican VI here
Mr. Antle, the NRA sits back waiting for a gun-fight, when simple prudence would do the trick.
Yes, if it comes to a gun-fight, we the people and our oathkeepers would win...after a LOT of bloodshed.
Why let it come to that when simple NO would do?
www.texassaidno.com
CalMark| 10.11.10 @ 6:42PM
The NRA has "gone establishment."
Time to replace them with somebody else.
"He who practices strict justice, practices no justice at all." (Old English saying). In other words, pious righteousness in a vacuum is worse than doing nothing: it's downright harmful.
c. j. acworth| 10.12.10 @ 5:29AM
I'm getting a little tired of all the anti-NRA comments I've been hearing lately. There is no other gun rights organization with anywhere near the name recognition and clout as the NRA. For years we've done the work, brought the lawsuits, and supported the candidates that have brought us to our current state where talk of gun control is seldom even heard in congress. NRA members (I'm a 20+ year lifer) need to look at the NRA as conservatives do the Republican party. When they stray, call them out on it. When the Republican party put up nice, bland RINOs in the primaries, vote for the real conservative. When the NRA endorses someone you think is a poor choice, vote for the other guy. Some advice on sending money to the NRA, don't give to the Political Victory Fund. That money will be sent to candidates you don't want to help. Do give to the Institute for Legislative Action. Thats the arm you want to strengthen. But don't bail on the NRA because of a few missteps, or the Republican party either. Take them both back!
Bob K.| 10.12.10 @ 8:35AM
I'm a NRA member too but this year the NRA forgot that this election is about what is in ones wallet besides money that can sent to support the NRA! There is less of it and there will be even less in the future if most of these 58 Democrats get reelected!
Witness the NRA'a support here in Northeast PA, in the 10th and 11th Congressional Districts, which have a large rural population and a long hunting tradition and outdoor ethic. They also have 10% unemployment and aging demographics. The NRA is supporting two incumbent Democrats over two conservative Republican challengers both of whom are leading in the polls. Both of these challengers are also supporters of the NRA. The NRA'a endorsements here might be enough to swing the election to the Democrats!
This is sheer stupidity! Chris Cox should summarily be thrown out of the NRA for doing this!
People are calling in to television news talk lines here saying they are dropping their membership in the NRA.
It would not surprise me if Democratic Congressman Carney from the 10th district reneged on his support for the NRA. He is a College Professor.
Rick Kelley| 10.26.10 @ 8:05PM
Your comments are well taken. In Texas we have two "conservative" Republican senators, BOTH of which voted FOR the bail-out bill. Neither of them is up for re-election in November, but rest assured their idiocy will not be forgotten when they face their constituents.
So, yes, be selective. Be VERY selective.
Yosemeti Sam| 10.12.10 @ 1:20AM
" ... But 58 congressional Democrats did get the gun-rights group's nod for November ...."
Well, then - that'll be remembered beyond November!
Personally, I am in opposition to heap big 'hunters' who camouflage themselves to prey upon defenseless prey.
Keep a shotgun at home to pepper intruders.
But, explain the Nimrod 'victories' of downing birds of any feather with a spray of metallic pellets that chew apart a harmless yet fouled victim!
Bob K.| 10.12.10 @ 8:52AM
Yo Yosemite!
It's called the National Rifle Association because rifles are used in hunting and by militias.
Shotguns are also used in hunting and by police.
You should get your self a sword cane or something like that for self defense to be consistent.
Yosemite Sam was a funny but dumb cartoon character as I recall.
NRA for LIFE| 10.12.10 @ 3:33AM
Take your NEO-CONSERVATIVE comments out of MY COUNTRY! And stay out of the NRA's business... they support whoever the hell they wanna support. So shut it!
Bob K.| 10.12.10 @ 8:59AM
Now that's a thought!
Maybe George Soros or Osama bin Laden could start pouring money into the NRA'a coffers and then it could support them!
2Anglico| 10.12.10 @ 9:34AM
Calling people neo-cons and telling them to shut up is a typical democrat tactic. It is lazy too.
The point is, there is NO SUCH THING as a pro-gun democrat. They all LIE and do everything queen Nancy directs!
amplitude jones| 10.12.10 @ 12:20PM
I think he meant, when he said Neocons, RINO's, since the GWB neocon contingent did basically, democrat stuff. Those insidious slime are talented at infecting and infesting places of Americana, then jump out like traitor pig jeffords, when they think it will most harm us. Sleeper Pigs, basically. The second half of your post is spot on: scum traitor pig democrats only are speaking the truth when they say 'this is going to hurt'
WL| 10.12.10 @ 9:53AM
"The NRA is a gun group, not a pro-Republican organization."
O.....K..... Mr. Antle...................
Now Sir....lets see if we can remember a little lesson all of us learned in March with Mr. Stupak AKA Mr. Right to Life, Mr. Catholic, Mr. Pro-Life Democrat STUPAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I usually agree with most of your observations, BUT these are serious times, and this judgement oversight, falling back into the same ol TRAP without learning our lessons...has plagued the conservative movement for years...AND YOU HAVE A VOICE that I don't have....
LETS NOT DO THE SAME OL DANCE and set ourselves up to HUFF and PUFF at Democrats...after they STICK IT TO US....
You AND the NRA should know better than this...
The NRA took a turn when Mr. Heston Passed away...and it wasn't for the good.
YES, they are a useful tool....BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE...it is time to have our own organization for 2nd AMENDMENT RIGHTS...and not just GUN SALES rights.....
Because we all know what happens when organizations like this get some Democrat Carrot put in front of their face....I.E. AMA.....AARP....Catholic Nuns...etc etc etc etc etc etc etc
W. James Antle III | 10.12.10 @ 10:05AM
I'm simply noting the NRA's side of the argument, I'm not endorsing it.
Bob K.| 10.12.10 @ 10:54AM
Maybe you could have made it a little bit clearer that they are screwing up? No one would argue with that.
amplitude jones| 10.12.10 @ 12:15PM
Look- the ratings are based on votes or public comments. If a person voted properly, there is no "but is it a democrat scum traitor pig?"-- they (NRA) do not give orders to us on how to vote...they inform us of the voting records. THEN We the People vote according to our thoughts. So- while getting angry at NRA because there are scum traitor pigs on the loose may SEEM proper- let us go after our enemies first!
DDS -- NRA Life Member| 10.12.10 @ 7:46PM
"Democrats have dropped their support for gun control, especially in conservative-leaning, gun-owning districts, since the 2006 elections;"
What a hoot! You mean that they have stopped talking about it in public. Eric Holder, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, Frank Lautenberg and Carolyn McCarthy drop their support for gun control? The Pope will drop his support for being Catholic first!
Rick Kelley| 10.26.10 @ 8:14PM
AMEN!
Dennis H| 10.12.10 @ 9:02PM
Yes, the NRA did not endorse Harry Reid. They donated almost $5K to his campaign, though. What did they donate to Angle? what support are they giving to Angle? ZIP, NADA.
I would give up my life membership but I want to vote the bums out, starting with La Pierre and Chris Cox. Hypocrites.
Bob Stille| 11.14.10 @ 2:57PM
The NRA really screwed up with some of their endorsements in New Mexico...and elsewhere, it seems. I am an NRA life member since 1963 and agree with Dennis H. LaPierre and Chris Cox have to go. I don't resign for the same reasons...I want to vote out the bums.
I think the NRA big wigs have gotten too chummy with the likes of Whorehouse Harry Reid and some other democrats who would overturn the 2nd Amendment the first chance they get. Or at least they will help appoint Supreme Court justices like Sotomayor and Kagan.
I have donated liberally through the years to the NRA's causes but I have closed the faucet. They get no more from me until they shape up