The Hottest Conservative Campaign Gimmick of 2014: Free Guns

[Judi Lynn]

The Hottest Conservative Campaign Gimmick of 2014: Free Guns

You get a carbine! You get a carbine! You get a carbine!

—By Tim Murphy

| Wed Apr. 16, 2014 3:00 AM PDT

Ron Paul announced recently that he is giving away a gun because "there can be no liberty without the ability to defend it." As part of its "Defend Liberty Gun Giveaway," one lucky donor to the former Texas congressman's organization, Campaign for Liberty, will receive a DDM4 AR-15. But Paul isn't alone. More than a dozen candidates for national and local office have offered up free firearms to their supporters during the 2014 election cycle, with gifts ranging from pistols to shotguns to an AR-15 customized by the gubernatorial candidate himself. It's the year's hottest conservative campaign gimmick.

While candidates may be exploiting right-wing fears of an impending Obama firearm confiscation, the phenomenon isn't new. The tactic traces back to at least 1994—not coincidentally the last time fears of a gun-grabbing Democratic president reached a fever pitch. Surprise: All the gun-giving candidates are Republicans. Historically, these gun giveaways haven't been terribly successful. With the exception of three incumbent politicians, none of the candidates who have tried to entice voters with firearms have ever gone on to win their races.

Here's a quick history:

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), 2014: The US Senate candidate gave away a Colt AR-15 and a Colt Marine Corps 1911 Rail Pistol to two members of his email list.

South Carolina state Sen. Lee Bright, 2014: Bright, who is challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), is handing out an AR-15 from Palmetto State armory to a member of his email list.

More:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/04/ron-paul-paul-broun-gun-giveaway

[Socal31]

1. I like to look at the bright side.

It wasn't too long ago that Kkkarl Rove was able to bring out the base with overtly homophobic talking points. Always nice to see less hate, although maybe they are saving it for 2016?

[tanyev]

2. No worries about a lawsuit from accidental death caused by any of those guns?

Not to mention the loss of a voter or two.

[yellowcanine]

3. Silly me. I thought buying votes was illegal. Wasn't there a big hullabaloo a while back about

some candidate giving out cigarettes?

[Xyzse]

5. Well, they are not saying that those that get the guns have to vote for them.

I feel like, busing a bunch of people there, with varying ethnicities, who have gun permits, wearing what they think as of gang colors to see if they can procure some of those things.

I get curious as to the outcome.
Sorry, sometimes I do get morbid curiosity and can't shake it.

[yellowcanine]

6. But they are basically giving free stuff of significant value to supporters.

Of course you can't be sure someone will vote for you, but still. Definitely sleazy ethics at best.

[Xyzse]

7. Agreed, but I was just thinking of the hilarity that would ensue if...

What they consider gangbangers went to the event to try to get those guns.

Not saying that they are not morally bankrupt. Just saying, it would be nice to see it backfire.

[hack89]

8. Google "Obama campaign raffle"

The president used raffles frequently.

If there is no quid pro quo then there is no crime.

[rock]

4. You can see how morally and ethically bankrupt the GOP is

But most clear is how they shit on Democracy. The most obvious feature of Democracy is that once the people have decided in an election the process of exchange of power is absolutely peaceful. To use guns to get what you want is to show your fascist underbelly. The GOP: not fit to lick your ass clean.