Posted on 07/03/2010 5:15:23 AM PDT by Zakeet
Sen. Orrin Hatch's decision to oppose Elena Kagan for a seat on the Supreme Court probably wasn't made in fear of the National Rifle Association's threat to senators that the group will take their votes on the nominee into consideration during endorsement time this election season.
Hatch already has an A+ rating from the gun group. But the moves by both parties -- Hatch's Friday announcement that he will vote "no" on Kagan and the NRA's Thursday announcement that it opposes Kagan and senators who vote for her risk their wrath -- are aimed at least in part at shoring up their conservative credentials with supporters.
For Hatch, he's already been warned that he could face the fate of fellow Utah Republican Sen. Bob Bennett, who was ousted during the state GOP's convention this spring. Hatch voted for Kagan as President Obama's solicitor general, a no-no for conservatives, but said now that the Supreme Court seat is a very different role than being the administration's top litigation attorney.
"All the evidence Senator Hatch has is that (Kagan) would allow her personal or political views drive her legal views. That is the definition of judicial activism something he has long opposed," Hatch spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier told Fox News.
Hatch may gain some credit for getting out in front on Kagan -- he's the first Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee to announce his no vote.
But the tough statement out of the nation's top gun lobby may not receive as warm a response from conservatives, who accuse the NRA of selling out, not only because of its late opposition to Kagan, but for what is perceived as its recent cozying up to Democrats on Capitol Hill.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The reason for the NRA's cozying up to Democrats?
The two I got this week went into the circular file. The NRA had disappointed this conservative member.
It may never recover and we may have to look elsewhere for an organization that defends the constitution without compromising root American principles.
It is Gun Owners of America for me, for now on. Not one ore $ to NRA. Traitors must not be tolerated.
Harry Reid talks RKBA out of one side of his mouth but he will vote for Elana Kagan out of the other.
RKBA will likely take even bigger hits in the future, because of Harry Reid and others like him.
There are no "single issues". Freedom is a package deal, you either support it or you oppose it, but you absolutely never allow government to define it!
One step ahead and two back isn't any kind of progress.
"U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. (with scissors),
and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre (to Reid’s right)
cut the ribbon to open the Clark County Shooting Park in Nevada.
Sen. Reid played an integral part in getting the shooting range opened by securing the land and funding." nraila.org
For the price of a range, a short term pass on a 1st Amendment busting law (Disclosure) & a spotted record on the 2nd Amendment they support Reid - which effectively supports the left-wing radical agenda of laws and judges that will crush the Constitutional rights, including 2nd Amendment, of patriotic Americans.
You watch how fast the NRA flips on this one.
I hate to say it, but the only way for NRA to deal with the pantywaists and morons feeding into this crap is to lie. The stupidity in these threads is remarkable.
Want to know why politicians lie to people? It’s because they’re too stupid to listen to the truth. The N.R.A. defends gun rights. It does not exist to argue other causes in the U.S. Senate, and when those causes do not affect the NRA, it does not expend its resources on such battles.
Now here’s the moron version for those of you who are too stupid to understand that (sadly, a large number).
tHe nrA. is FigHting teh Lberals n duzznt’ like SohCialism /
I will never trust any organization that would dare to endorse a single scumbag democrat...
I called the NRA ILA yesterday (Friday, 7/2/2010) at 1-800-392-8683 and punched option 4 so I could speak to a person.
I told them that if they endorsed Harry Reid, I would cancel my membership, ask for a refund, and promote joining alternative organizations at my gun club (since membership in the NRA is one of the few requirements for joining.)
They didn’t say a whole lot. Pretty much, they said, “OK”. It was just some low level minion anyway, but I’d rather talk to a person and get some minimal feedback than just leave a message on their “hotline” or whatever it is they call it (Option 3). I know for sure I’m wasting my time doing that. I also filled out a comment form on their ILA web page, so they also have a written record of my comment.
...BUT HARRY REID!
....Why the world doesn't shun him, and he isn't beaten to a pulp every time he is seen in public by a soldier for his "This war is lost" comment is beyond me.
Instead of the circular file, send them back with traitor notices like we do aarp.
“The stupidity in these threads is remarkable.”
Agreed! However, if the NRA had the power to extract exemption from DISCLOSE, they probably had the power to stop it. Bad decision leaving 1st Amendment rights in jeopardy for others. American Rifleman constantly touts 1st rights in their editorials. Also, if in fact they do endorse Harry Reid, they will indeed have a big time problem with members. Hopefully, they are just using him just like the flaming liberal Dems use Lindsey Graham, John McCain, Orrin Hatch, etc.
On the other hand, those wanting to burn NRA at the stake and believe that GOA is going to have 1/10 the clout are seriously delusional. If you are going to dump the most powerful lobby, a lobby that is largely conservative, you need to have one that will take its place. Otherwise the vacuum created will suck up your gun rights.
I’m always amazed at how some conservatives never seem to get the fact that the “R” in NRA stands for “Rifle”, not “Republican”. If you want an organization that will sell out gun owners to benefit the GOP, then try GOA. They seem happy to put Party first.
GOA testified against Kagen this week. Has the NRA?
"RedState.com blogger Erick Erickson, a GOA member, continued his tear against the gun group, reporting that the NRA had imposed a gag order on board members to keep them from testifying against Kagan during the confirmation hearing."
If true, the NRA is toast.
The NRA has also supported amnesty in the past. Grover Norquist, who was on their board was Bush’s amnesty author.
I get it that the NRA is a single issue organization. But when all our other rights are gone, will we still have that one? I doubt it. They should be weighing in for FREEDOM & should never let a narrow view force them into compromising with the enemy. My sweetie joined the NRA last year, but he’s not likely to renew at this point.
As an Endowment Life Member, I resent a single penny of my money going to fund Harry Reid - for ANY reason. There are definitely some supporters of the 2nd Amendment who are Rats, however, they negate that stance with their choices of shredding the rest of the constitution. Therefore, my conclusion is that the NRA has the fleas and disease that come from sleeping with the rats........
Especially if he can bring 3-4 other dims with him to counter balance Susan Collins et al.
I don't THINK an NRA endorsement will make the difference in Nevada, but even if it did: Sending this nominee packing and forcing Obama to send another AFTER the mid-terms would be to our very great advantage.
Another Ginsberg or another Kennedy? How big is THAT!?!?!?!?!
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