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DonP

(6,185 posts)
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:17 PM Apr 2013

Why didn't Bloombergs money work?

I see a lot of posts here and there on DU claiming that the Dem and GOP Senators that voted against the gun control bills were "bought off" by gun manufacturer/NRA money.

IIRC, Bloomberg promised far more financial support for everyone voting his way on those amendments, starting with his $12 million media buy for gun control.

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sinkingfeeling

(51,279 posts)
1. And how much did the NRA spend on advertising? We know they spent
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:21 PM
Apr 2013

$17 million on last year's elections.

In 2012 the NRA Institute for Legislative Action spent $7.5 million on federal elections on 66 candidates according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Separately, the NRA PAC spent $9.5 million in the 2012 election.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/nra-lobbying-money-national-rifle-association-washington-2012-12#ixzz2QpgMlUqK


Never mind. Found that the NRA vowed to match Bloomberg's ad campaign.

"N.R.A. Chief Says He Will Counter Bloomberg’s Gun Control Campaign"

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/n-r-a-chief-says-he-will-counter-gun-control-campaign-by-bloomberg/

kudzu22

(1,273 posts)
2. Same reason Romney's money didn't work
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:33 PM
Apr 2013

People don't want what he's selling and no amount of money will make them change their minds.

Bonhomme Richard

(8,992 posts)
8. I wouldn't put it that crudely but.....
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 05:37 PM
Apr 2013

the reality is that the no votes (other than the complete whacko's) were to protect seats.
Besides, the NRA is losing the PR battle and that is where I believe most of Bloombergs money is going.
Frankly the whole issue is fear driven. By some gun owners, by politicians, by anti's...You name it.
Fear, and on the pro gun side a healthy dose of paranoia.

 

DonP

(6,185 posts)
9. Take a look at the red states those guys are from
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 05:47 PM
Apr 2013

I agree it's about keeping their seats and the Senate leadership. We have a lot of older Senators that if they lose the chairman's seat might decide to retire. Even Durbin is already hinting at hanging it up in private.

What is the likelihood that a hard core gun control Dem can A) win in a primary fight and B) win the general election in those red states?

I'm just a little sick of the stupid shit some people here (not you) are posting the last couple of days about how we'll "teach those guys that voted no a lesson in the next primary".

Given the ability, the "Purity Police" will happily give up control of the Senate and lose seats in the House, just to say we have a gun control supporting party. Then they can piss and moan about how it's all the fault of the evil NRA while all the other things that need to be addressed are flushed down the toilet. Another "victory" of the perfect over the practical.

 

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)
4. Interesting discussion about this on NPR this a.m.
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:43 PM
Apr 2013

Conclusion seems to be Bloomie is a thousand miles away, out of touch, and literally lost in the wilderness.

 

HockeyMom

(14,337 posts)
6. There is a major divide in this country
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 01:06 PM
Apr 2013

Look at where the Nay votes were from. Different parts of the country don't have the same gun cultural as others do. There is also a big divide between men and women. Look at the picture of the Nay Senators. How many women do you see as opposesd to the Yes female Senators.

 

hansberrym

(1,571 posts)
10. You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 08:00 PM
Apr 2013

not fool all the people all of the time.


Hence the failed rush to get something passed before people started listening to what was being proposed istead of the sound bites.

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