[wagglebee]

But it still begs the question, why no endorsement of Bush 41 in 1992 or Dole (I can basically understand this one)?

[Mulder]

why no endorsement of Bush 41 in 1992 or Dole (I can basically understand this one)?

Bush signed an import ban on certain guns via executive fiat. Once out of office, he resigned his NRA membership.

After the Republican landslide in 1994, the House voted to repeal the AWB. Dole, the Senate Majority leader, did not allow it to come up for a vote in the Senate. I think Dole has stabbed us in the back other times also, but can't remember the specifics.

[Burf]

If I remember correctly, Bush 41 and the NRA got in a spat about the term "jackbooted thugs" the NRA used in a they're coming to get your guns ad. GHWB then sent his lifetime membership card back to the NRA. The broohaha thence began.
Something mentioned in the article was a fully automatic AR15. Huh?

[Ichneumon]

But it still begs the question, why no endorsement of Bush 41 in 1992

Because Bush 41 proudly signed the first "assault weapon" ban, which prohibited the importation of "assault weapons".

[sarasota]

I've heard so many "independents" speak to their being on the fence until the convention/debates. Tommy Franks, for one and we know he's pro-Bush. The NRA will endorse him, they're just giving Kerry and chance to be heard. And hopefully they will lambast his position(s) in the end.

[HP8753]

Bob Dole had a chance to stop the AWB from even coming up for a vote in the Senate,But he bent over and grabbed his ankle's in the Trent Lott tradition.

He should have asked Phizer for something that stiffened his backbone ,instead of his unit.

[dcwusmc]

Why no endorsement of Bush-41? Simple: GHWB stabbed gun-owners in the back with his executive order banning the import of certain firearms based on their "scary" appearance. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. And several millions of gun-owners and shooters sat on their hands. Just as we may THIS time around, especially if Junior signs an AWB renewal. Among MANY other actions he has either completed or contemplated so far in his term. Like the porous borders. He seems to be actively seeking to be another OTB. (One Term Bush.)

[supercat]

But it still begs the question, why no endorsement of Bush 41 in 1992 or Dole (I can basically understand this one)?

Actually, the NRA gave Dole a quasi-endorsement in 1992; the Lautenberg Abomination passed very soon thereafter by an absolutely shocking margin. I don't think that was purely coincidence.