Repost from GD: NRA backs Democrats in key races, frustrating GOP

[friendly_iconoclast]

And to think there are/were some DUers firmly convinced the Republicans ran the NRA:



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9268288

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/06/AR2010100603363.html?hpid=topnews


By Ben Pershing
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2010; 12:36 PM


The National Rifle Association has endorsed incumbent Democrats in several crucial congressional races this year, frustrating Republicans who believe the group is hurting its cause - and the party's chances in November.

Although the NRA's agenda usually aligns with that of the GOP, the powerful group also adheres to what it calls "an incumbent-friendly" policy: If an incumbent and a challenger candidate have equally strong records protecting gun rights, the incumbent gets the endorsement, regardless of party.

The result: Of the 20 most endangered incumbent House Democrats in the country - based on race ratings by The Washington Post's "The Fix" - 14 have received the endorsement of the NRA's Political Victory Fund.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Excellent!

:thumbsup:

[icnorth]

2. Political Victory Fund backing Dem incumbents over

Repub challengers you say. Nothing for support of Dem challengers though. Wouldn't have anything to do with incumbents having several built in advantages like franking privileges or, oh let's say name recognition for example? May be because incumbents win roughly 9 out of 10 times? Nah, I didn't think so. ;-)

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

4. If you doubt the intentions... show us that the selected politicians are UNDESERVING of endorsements

The NRA issues endorsements based on single issue analysis: voting record or stance regarding 2A and self defence rights.

Do you know if the NRA is currently endorsing any Democratic incumbants with a WORSE record than thier challengers for, as you say, supposed "franking priveleges"? Should be easy information to find out... it's public record after all. C'mon, you made a claim so show your evidence.

I for one have a democratic representative and governer and both have been very good on 2nd Ammendment issues and have always received NRA endorsement. I'm proud that, for a number of years now, my leaders/representatives have been pro 2A democrats and all the RW nra folks have had to admit it.

[icnorth]

7. Looking at the numbers

in two congressional elections it's obvious the NRA decided Democratic candidates for the most part were not 2A approved. Of course in constituencies where the Democratic incumbent looked like a sure winner then the "incumbent friendly" override position kicked in. In this cycle the tea bagger wing nuts may be too much for even the NRA to endorse.

http://www.davekopel.com/2a/othwr/does-the-nra-influence-federal-elections.pdf

[icnorth]

8. Here you go...

In our alert yesterday we informed you about the endorsement of anti-gun Iowa Governor Chet Culver by the NRA.

We choose our words carefully since it’s Governor Culver who signed into law the bill that we described yesterday-the one that takes away guns from those who are merely accused of misdemeanor crimes.

Governor Culver also refuses to answer the 2010 Iowa Gun Owners Gun Rights Candidate Survey…

…the survey that Governor Branstad completed with 100% pro-gun responses.


http://www.ammoland.com/2010/09/29/shocking-nra-endorsements-in-iowa/

[X_Digger]

10. Almost all the GOA derivatives are bat-shit crazy

They're right-wing first, and gun rights second.

Nice try, though.

[friendly_iconoclast]

11. FAIL. Looks like the NRA had very good reasons to endorse Culver:

He doesn't sound 'anti-gun' to me- then again, I'm not a member of GOA, who make the NRA look like hippies...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=313387#313406

http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/04/26/governor-says-hell-sign-gun-permit-bill-into-law

Governor says he’ll sign gun permit bill into law
by Radio Iowa Contributor on April 26, 2010

in Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Governor Chet Culver said today he’ll sign into law a bill that would set a statewide standard for issuing permits to Iowans who want to carry a concealed weapon. Under current law, Iowa’s 99 county sheriffs get to decide who can and cannot get a concealed weapons permit. The new law will require a permit to be issued, in nearly every case, if the applicant has taken safety courses and hasn’t been convicted of a felony.

During his stop in Mason City today, Culver said he wants to make sure it’s a fair process statewide for those who apply for a permit.

“I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment,” Culver said. “I think we have to level the playing field to make all of the rules universal in terms of concealed weapon permits in all 99 counties and I want to make sure that if people want a concealed weapon permit, and they are eligible for one, that they get one.”....


http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/26/culver-to-sign-shall-issue-gun-bill-nuclear-power-study-bill

Culver to sign ’shall issue’ gun bill, nuclear power study bill

GUN PERMITS BILL: Iowa will go from a “may issue” state to a “shall issue” state, where sheriffs could deny a permit for only a limited number of reasons.

Culver intends to sign this bill, Senate File 2379, in his office at 9 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release.

The National Rifle Association was a major force behind this legislation.

Not all sheriffs like it. The Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association opposes the bill, partly because sheriffs would no longer have nearly unlimited discretion to deny an Iowan a permit.

The legislation would require sheriffs to document why they deny or revoke a gun permit. Right now, they can do so with no explanation.....


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=314485

http://m.siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/article_942b4578-53b7-11df-a546-001cc4c03286.html

Iowa joins "shall issue" ranks
DES MOINES -- Gun advocates cheered loudly Thursday as Gov. Chet Culver eased an impediment for some seeking permits to carry a concealed weapon by approving a standardized process that will apply equaling in all 99 Iowa counties beginning next Jan. 1.

During a ceremony in the Statehouse rotunda, Culver signed legislation that will make Iowa a "shall issue" state when it comes to county sheriffs issuing permits to acquire or carry a concealed weapon.

"This bill strikes an appropriate balance, recognizing the rights of law-abiding Iowans guaranteed by the Second Amendment and the duty of local law enforcement officers," Culver said. "We all have a role to play in public safety. I believe this is a good bill that has the potential to keep Iowans safer."...

[SteveM]

6. Can you provide examples of pro-2A Dem challengers who aren't backed?...

And compare those candidacies with those of pro-2A Republicans? My take on special interest groups of all types is they back the most likely to win candidates, "all else being equal." Nothing new.

[Euromutt]

15. The rationale the NRA-PVF gives for using incumbency as a tie-breaker...

...is that the incumbent's record on RKBA is proven, whereas a challenger's is not (unless, possibly, the challenger has previously held a different office).

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Glassunion]

5. Click on "Bookmark this thread" in the upper left...

It will add it to your bookmarks you can retreive from "My DU"

[krispos42]

9. The NRA is pro-gun. Republican are usually pro-gun, so they usually get the nods

But the Republicans sound like they've thought of the NRA as an arm of the GOP and are now all sulky and cranky.

[Euromutt]

13. That's it in a nutshell (n/t)

[friendly_iconoclast]

14. More than a few DUers thought of the NRA as a GOP subsidiary, and are now sulking.

Check out the original thread in GD for the latest example.

Strange how some of those loudly proclaiming themselves "progressive" found common ground with the Gun Owners of America.....

[The Green Manalishi]

16. Left or right, ignore "the base" at your peril.

The Republicans can sometimes take RKBA supporters for granted every bit as much as the Democrats can do so with GLBT, unions or- environmentalists - 'who are you going to go to?'

The two party system sucks, there are a hell of a lot of us pro RKBA progressives and both parties have their heads up their asses most of the time.

I almost always vote Democratic, of course, but mostly because it's like having the choice of having to gnaw off my little finger or my gonads.

[jazzhound]

12. Gotta love it!!!!

:thumbsup:

Both because it serves the interests of the Democratic Party, and because it kicks some sand in the face of the knee-jerk antis.