'I'm worried': Allies fear NRA has lost its power in Washington

[IronLionZion]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/16/nra-gun-control-1464581



The National Rifle Association’s internal turmoil is preventing the once-mighty organization from crafting a plan to blunt the latest gun control push, highlighting the group’s weakness at a crucial political moment.

The disarray at the NRA is alarming allies who say President Donald Trump and Congress appear to have a brief opening to pass legislation while the group is so politically feeble it isn’t able to aggressively lobby lawmakers against proposals or hold them accountable for their votes, according to a half-dozen Republicans familiar with the situation.

“There’s no coordinated effort,” according to a person familiar with the NRA’s outreach on the current gun debate. “The staff feels like there is no plan. There’s not a lot of direction or a plan for how to proceed.”

In recent months, the NRA has battled numerous scandals — from lavish spending by top executives and a broader financial management crisis to a spate of board member resignations and an attempted coup at the group’s annual conference. It lost President Oliver North and top lobbyist Chris Cox, who is close to Trump. And Ackerman McQueen, its ad agency for nearly four decades, quit.

“There are some very significant problems with the NRA right now, financially, structurally, strategically, that need to be addressed,” said Rob Pincus, a lifetime NRA member who’s involved in Save the Second, whose membership includes other NRA members, prospective members and former members. The group is focused on rebuilding the NRA by promoting institutional change at the organization.

As the NRA remains distracted by its internal woes, Trump and Congress are seriously considering changes — including strengthened background checks during gun sales and red flag laws — after a pair of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left 31 people dead, including the perpetrator in Ohio.

Sure it's Politico, but it should still be a confidence booster for our side. We shouldn't be bullied by the NRA. They're losing influence. Our side is gaining support. It's time for the "regulate" part of the 2nd amendment.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[RainCaster]

1. I feel so sad for them

NOT!

[IronLionZion]

2. Tots and pears

[dchill]

3. I am not convinced.

[IronLionZion]

4. OK

[BigOleDummy]

5. Me either

They can sling so much money at "our" politicians that any internal problems they may or may not be having won't make much difference.

There HAS to be a way to get all this outside influence money OUT of our politics. If a candidate cannot get the money he or she needs for a campaign from donors, real individual humans, then they don't deserve to have it. In my opinion anyway. "Citizens United" and super P.A.C.'s have eroded not only public confidence in our "leaders" but also subverted the very idea of Democracy.

[IronLionZion]

7. when Dems take back the Senate and White House

we must pass some sensible campaign finance reform, and appoint judges to overturn Citizens United

[FiveGoodMen]

8. It would be a first

[IronLionZion]

9. McCain Feingold was passed in 2002

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act

Citizens United was 2010 and was a 5-4 ruling which overruled some previous cases.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC

[ellie]

6. Oh, what a shame!

/s

[Indykatie]

10. The Best Evidence that the NRA's Influence is Waning is that GOPers No Longer Brag About A Ratings

in their campaigns. Having an A rating is no longer the badge of honor it once was.

[keithbvadu2]

11. It's pretty bad when Ollie North is relatively ethical.

It's pretty bad when Ollie North is relatively ethical.