But, the NRA IS a single-issue organization. Hedging their endorsements on other issues is simply foolish. The endorsement of the NRA should mean SOMETHING, other than a de-facto RNC stamp of approval."
You're mistaken if you think the NRA only lobbies on gun legislation. They lobbied very prominently against McCain/Feingold, and rightfully so, but that blows your point out of the water. Also, withholding endorsements of Democrats does not make them a rubber stamp for the Republican party, since they can withhold those endorsements as well. Endorsing Democrats who are good on guns only strengthens the Democratic Party since those candidates can and do support their party on most other things, such as ObamaCare. A national organization has to have a wider strategy than just thinking about a single candidate.
They lobbied against McCain/Feingold because it would have restricted their ability to run advocacy ads right before an election. They were defending their own rights to act as a proponent for 2A issues.
So, NO, it doesn’t blow my point “out of the water”.
How can you say that withholding endorsements from QUALIFIED democrats doesn’t make them a rubber stamp? If they do so, they’re doing it purely based on political party. If they withhold endorsements from Republican candidates, under your thinking, it’s not due to party, but due to 2A qualifications. That’s a DOUBLE STANDARD.
Again, all this does is bring light to my point about single-issue advocacy groups and platforms - they’re a double-edged sword.