Dems & the NRA

[Kaleva]

Gary McDowell is the leading candidate seeking the Party's nomination to run for the 1st Congressional District of Michigan seat.

Below is what is posted at his "McDowell For Congress" website:

"Gun Rights
Gary is a strong supporter and advocate for the 2nd Amendment rights of every individual.

In the Michigan legislature, Gary authored legislation and supported the right for each of us to legally possess and carry firearms as well as preserving the right to hunt and fish. Advocating these principles is why Gary always received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association."

http://www.mcdowellforcongress.com/home/issues

McDowell is a member of the NRA. Below is an excerpt from an article published in 2010:

"McDowell, an NRA member with a perfect NRA voting record as a state legislator..."

http://eupnews.com/recent-mcdowell-announcements-includes-ss-committee-and-nra/

I know that the NRA is very unpopular here with many but all politics is local. No Dem where I live can hope to win even a primary if they are seen as anti-gun or supporters of stricter gun control laws. To withhold support from Dems who are members of the NRA or seen as pro-gun in a general election , such as Gary McDowell , would help ensure a Repub victory. For DUers, that's a possible TOS violation.

Some may argue that Gary McDowell isn't a real Democrat. Well, he's as real a Dem as one is going to get here in Upper Michigan.

I'm not trying to drum up support for the NRA. But I'm not going to bash DUers who are past or current members of the NRA ( I was a member myself about 20 years ago for a couple of years). All politics is local.

[DanTex]

1. I'd vote for an NRA-endorsed Dem over a Republican every time.

Unless the world turned upside-down, and the NRA-endorsed Dem was actually to the right of the Repub on other issues as well.

[Kaleva]

3. McDowell has a very strong pro-union record. He's endorsed by the AFL-CIO

"Michigan AFL-CIO Backs Four Incumbent US House Dems"

"The group also is backing Democratic Gary McDowell, who's seeking to unseat Republican Rep. Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls in northern Michigan's 1st District."

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Michigan_AFL-CIO_Backs_Four_Incumbent_US_House_Dems_146030745.html

[DanTex]

18. In a primary, though, an NRA endorsement would be a negative for me.

I understand the political calculations that are necessary in order to win seats in rural conservative districts. But my view is that the Dems have already moved to far to the right on a lot of issues, not just guns, so I tend to support the more liberal candidates in primaries.

[Kaleva]

19. Which is certainly fine as that is what primaries are for.

[SGMRTDARMY]

4. Hey

how about that, we agree on something here in this group.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

45. I applaud your choice.

[Atypical Liberal]

64. All of my Democratic candidates except one had high marks from the NRA.

In the last election (my ballot is in my sig), all of my Democratic candidates except one had high marks from the NRA, and three of them were the endorsed candidate.

I voted for all of them except for the Democrat with the F rating. And I voted for Obama in spite of his rating from the NRA.

Where possible, I will vote for Democrats who support the second amendment, and vote against ones who do not. But there are times, such as the presidential election, where other policy concerns take priority, at least and especially when I think they are politically impotent to move against the second amendment anyway.

[SGMRTDARMY]

2. I couldn't agree more

We should support an NRA endorsed Dem candidate. If we want to win more elections in red states, then the Dem. Party needs to wholeheartedly support the 2ND Amendment. At that point, I think the GOP would go the the ash heap of history.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

51. +1

[tularetom]

5. I'm always curious about why people are "former" NRA members

I was given a membership by my uncle over 50 years ago when I was in my teens.

At the time it was a fantastic resource for information about gun safety, cleaning and maintenance of firearms and reloading and I enjoyed the magazine and the other publications that were available. I guess the organization was always a lobbying group for the manufacturers of guns and ammunition but somewhere along the line it degenerated into paranoia.

When the good information I used to get from the NRA was replaced by fear mongering bullshit about the government taking my guns I gave up my membership. That was probably sometime in the late 80's. And now, a quarter century later, I still get regular mail and telephone solicitations from them. And they're still trying to scare me about how the Obama administration has a secret plan to confiscate all privately owned firearms.

Well it hasn't happened in all that time. And I haven't heard Obama utter a peep about the subject in the 3+ years he's been in office. To me the NRA has lost all credibility.

ON edit: Yes, I would support a Dem who was an NRA member over a republican.

[gejohnston]

14. speaking for myself

you took the words out of my mouth

When the good information I used to get from the NRA was replaced by fear mongering bullshit

[TexasBill]

74. Because the National Rifle Association became the Nuts and Rednecks Alliance

It wasn't 50 years ago, but it's been more than 40 years since I passed my NRA Hunter's Safety and Marksmanship courses and became a proud member of the NRA.

I am a current NRA member because I support the NRA Foundation, which is still about firearms safety, education and promoting the shooting sports. Federal law prohibits the Foundation from engaging in political activities and the folks in my area are adamant about it. You want to talk about firearms? They're all over that. You want to talk politics? Leave 'em at the door.

On the other hand, I think people leave the NRA because the NRA's political machine drives them out.

While I have an unbroken record of not donating to the NRA's Political Victory Fund, I get mailers at least every other week urging me to send money so that "We Can Defeat Obama." I didn't join the NRA to become a shill for the radical right and I have every intention of voting to re-elect the President. I also get the mailers about the nonexistent UN treaty that don't mention that any such treaty would have no impact on Second Amendment rights. I didn't join the NRA to have my intelligence insulted.

The reality is that, willingly or not, Barack Obama has done more for gun owners in about 3.5 years than George Bush and the Republicans did in the six years they held sway over the White House and Congress. In fact, he did more for gun sales than any politician in recent history, though not one bit of the hysteria turned out to be justified.

I came very close to quitting when a recent NRA national convention presented Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Oliver North as paragons of American values. A philandering sleaze who was the first Speaker of the House in American history to be censured; a fairly incompetent politician whose ignorance and malapropisms should have been as much of an embarrassment at home as they were abroad; and a former military officer who should have stood trial for treason. These were the NRA's draped-in-the-flag champions of freedom. The mental leap (plunge?) required to accept such bilgewater still astounds me. This is Kool-Aid deLuxe!

Make no mistake about it: I like guns and I really do believe that gun control has a proud, and unblemished, history of not producing the desired results. But I would willingly drop the NRA for an organization that would accept that as their brief and resist stuffing hysterical baloney down my throat. Maybe they could take over the NRA Foundation and return the whole group to its original purpose.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

75. Welcome to GC&RKBA

[SGMRTDARMY]

7. Spoken like a true anti gun extremist

So an NRA endorsed Dem in a red state isn't a true Democrat? You just want to keep losing elections in red states don't you?
The Party needs to wholeheartedly embrace the 2ND Amendment and then, as I said before, the GOP would go they way of the Soviet Union, to the ash heap of history.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

26. x2

[Kaleva]

9. Are you suggesting I don't vote for McDowell? Since he isn't a Dem in your opinion?

[baldguy]

24. It's settling for the lesser of two evils.

You may be forced into such a choice once in a while to prevent a greater evil from gaining power, but if you're honest you won't pretend for a minute that it's still not evil.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. you do realize that you are periously close to violating TOS

Vote for Democrats.

Winning elections is important — therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

31. Respectfully, I do not believe that he came close to advocating in favor Republican nominees or in

favor of third-party spoilder candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents.

I disagree with what he is saying, but I don't think that he is saying that. Nor do I think that he seeking to depress turnout for our candidates during election season.

Also, respectfully, I believe that a policy of encouraging democratic discussions encourages participation and turnout even when parties disagree.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

38. Respectfully, I disagree with your definition of close and respectfully, I agree

that a policy of encouraging democratic discussions encourages participation and turnout even when parties disagree.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

40. ? wtf ?

Automated Message

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

At Sat Jun 2, 2012, 01:30 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

you do realize that you are periously close to violating TOS http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=41602

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/? com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

Poster is arguing for a RW advocacy group who\ich works against most Democratic candidates -including the President.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Jun 2, 2012, 01:39 PM, and the Jury voted 0-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Did the alerter alert the wrong post?
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No, the poster is advocating for the support of a Democrat candidate. The poster being responded to was bashing a Democrat candidate.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Poster is quoting DU policy, not advocating for a RW group. Did alerter even read the post, or possibly have a spasm that caused them to click "alert"? WTF?
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[gejohnston]

41. That is a DUzzy Award if I ever saw one.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

42. I am amazed, amused, confuzzled and flabbergasted. This anonymus alerting needs to stop.

Last edited Sat Jun 2, 2012, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Thanks to the DUer who PM'd me about it.

on edit
now up in Meta:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1240104864

[AnotherMcIntosh]

46. I have no idea who PM'd you, but it was not me. n/t

[Tuesday Afternoon]

47. but, You are the one that Alerted. correct?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

48. No. Absolutely not.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

49. Do you have the jury results?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

52. You are sending the question to the wrong person. n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

50. No, I did not send an alert for anything that you said.

Quite frankly, I don't think that what you said was over the top.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

54. thanks. n/t

[PavePusher]

59. Someone's being a dick.

Ponder, ponder....

[Tuesday Afternoon]

60. the consensus in Meta is that Someone Alerted on The Wrong Post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1240104864



I wonder if the Other Post was Alerted and, if so, what was the verdict because it obviously has not been hidden.

I also wonder How Many of MY posts are alerted and if I have a Stalker Alerter because of my participation in This Group.

I think that Alerters should NOT be Anonymous. We have the right to Face our Accusers.

[Kaleva]

61. He has two posts hidden here now.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

62. who are you talking about? if you don't want to call out anyone, I understand -

please PM me. Thanks.

[muriel_volestrangler]

68. Very silly - they haven't had the primary yet

As the OP makes clear, McDowell is still running to get the Democratic nomination. DU rules clear state you are allowed to advocate against Democrats in their primary - "In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose ...For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day."

In Michigan's 1st Congressional District, a Native American social worker and local Democratic Party 'outsider,' Derek J. Bailey, is challenging the Democratic "establishment" candidate, Gary McDowell in a Democratic Primary to be held on August 7. Both hope to be the one who will take back the House seat from the incumbent Republican, Dan Benishek, on Nov. 6.

McDowell was the Democratic candidate who ran against Republican Tea Party favorite Benishek in 2010 and was handily defeated. What is significant about that election is that in a Congressional District that had been safely Democratic from 1993 to 2010, the "establishment" Democratic candidate (McDowell) lost the seat. While this has been analyzed from many perspectives, the prevailing view is that Gary McDowell lost in 2010 primarily because the voters did not accept his candidacy - he was the choice of the Democratic Party apparatus, and that didn't resonate well with the independent minded voters of Northern Michigan.

Now, McDowell is back for another try. Fundraising for his campaign from outside the District began almost as soon as the 2010 election was over. This time -- still the favored son of the Democratic insiders despite his previous loss to Benishek -- his campaign is flush with donations from coast to coast and "downstate" Democratic politicos.

His primary opponent, Bailey, began his campaign quietly in October of 2011, most unremarkably, by visiting friendly places. He spoke at county Democratic Party meetings, senior groups, potluck dinners, small business owners. He conversed with county commissioners and just about anyone who would take a few minutes to listen to him. A tall, softspoken man, Bailey's genuinely caring attitude and spiritual nature affect those who listen to him. He became known as a good listener and bridge builder.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-horn/in-northern-michigan-demo_1_b_1392864.html

So DUers can, in good conscience, go ahead and say "Fuck the NRA, and don't select a candidate who supports them". It may or may not be good tactical politics, but it's nothing to do with a ToS violation.

Oh - I now see Bailey withdrew in April. Nevertheless, even if no-one is still running against McDowell, the post was not advocating voting against a Democrat in a general election - just that it would the less of 2 evils. Which people say on DU a lot about Democrats.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

69. Comme ci, comme ça

[AnotherMcIntosh]

21. Was JFK a member of the NRA?

[baldguy]

23. 50 yrs ago? More?

Today's NRA claiming JFK is very much like today's GOP claiming Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt at thesame time opposing everything they stood for & fought for.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

25. As far as I know, JFK was never opposed to gun ownership for self-defense.

If he were alive, there would be no reason to believe that he would be opposed to gun ownership for self-defense.

[gejohnston]

44. He didn't say that

he said as far as he knows JFK would not be against self defense. Fact is, JFK and Bobby were both NRA Life Members. BTW, how is self defense "radical and insane RW"?

It's much more reasonable to believe that JFK - had he not had one of the NRA's toys do a little dance within his skull - would have followed the same political trajectory of his brothers, and today's NRA, the radical GOP & the insane RW extremists would have no doubt demonized him & targeted him for defeat.

Or he could have built up support among voting members to keep the environmentalists/old guard in power over people like Nugent. Unfortunately, we will never know.

[cherokeeprogressive]

53. So what you are actually saying is that AMc is either a "less-than-intelligent voter" or

a radical, extremist fascist who runs the republican party.

I'm thinking you're on the wrong side of the dogma on this one...

[Riftaxe]

27. Guess these 14 democrats running for congress

fail to meet your purity test, oh supreme one.

NRA Endorses 14 House Democrats Over Republicans

[Hoyt]

8. I believe the Republican candidate also gets an A+ rating from NRA.

Remember that the NRA supports far more right wingers than Democrats.

In the OP's case, NRA appears to be giving Democrat no advantage since they give the right winger the same A+.

Further, the NRA's impact is not just related to guns. They are dominated by right wingers and support right wing causes far beyond guns.

[Kaleva]

10. The Repub Benishek wasn't endorsed by the NRA in the 2010 election. McDowell was.

“The NRA-PVF is endorsing Gary McDowell because he is a proven defender of the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Michigan,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund. “On November 2, I urge those in Michigan’s 1st District to vote Gary McDowell for Congress.”

http://eupnews.com/recent-mcdowell-announcements-includes-ss-committee-and-nra/

[SGMRTDARMY]

12. Hell, I'd take a B or C rated Dem over a Repig any day.

A candidates position on the 2ND Amendment is very important to me but it's not the deal breaker, in other words, I wouldn't vote repub for any reason.

[Kaleva]

15. Same here.

My former congress critter, Stupak, who served in Congress for many years sometimes got a "C" rating from the NRA but I always voted for him even if his Repub opponent had a "A" rating and was endorsed by the NRA.

[Hoyt]

16. I agree with that -- but the Republican still has an A+ rating. If the NRA endorses one over the

other this election, it will be the one most likely to win.

Since they both were given an A+ rating, I doubt some right wing militia type is going to forsake the Republican for a Democrat.

[Kaleva]

17. Repub Benishek was rated as possibly unreliable on gun rights

"An AQ means they didn’t answer the question — usually meaning they are unreliable on gun rights:"

"Michigan-1: Upper peninsula and upper thumb. Retiring Bart Stupak was usually good, but not always. Repub. Dan Benishek (AQ) vs. Dem. Gary McDowell (A)."

http://scottrhymer.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/nra-ratings-for-candidates/

[SGMRTDARMY]

11. Here's the thing

the voters will more likely vote for the Dem candidate over the Repuke if both are NRA A+ rated, especially in a swing state.

[SGMRTDARMY]

13. Once again, your wrong.nt

[Atypical Liberal]

63. Only because there are so few Democrats to endorse.

Remember that the NRA supports far more right wingers than Democrats.

But let's also remember why that is the case. It's not because the NRA just randomly decides who to support. They support anyone who supports the second amendment. If there were more Democrats supporting the second amendment, then the NRA would support more Democrats.

[Kaleva]

65. True.

[Hoyt]

66. I don't think you are being rational on this. Here is a list of NRA Leadership and Board Members

Joe Allbaugh (Board Member)
Charlton Heston (Former President)
Scott Bach (Board Member)
Graham Hill (Board Member)
Buster Bachhuber (Board Member)
Steve Hornady (Board Member)
Carol Bambery (Board Member)
Roy Innis (Board Member)
Bob Barr (Board Member)
Joaquin Jackson (Board Member)
Ronnie Barrett (Board Member)
David Keene (Board Member)
Clel Baudler (Board Member)
Tom King (Board Member)
Ken Blackwell (Board Member)
Herbert Lanford (Board Member)
Matt Blunt (Board Member)
Wayne LaPierre (Executive Vice President and CEO)
John Bolton (Chairman of International Affairs Subcommittee)
Karl Malone (Board Member)
Rep. Dan Boren (Board Member)
John Milius (Board Member)
Bob Brown (Board Member)
Buz Mills (Board Member)
Pete Brownell (Board Member)
Cleta Mitchell (Board Member)
John Burtt (Board Member)
Grover Norquist (Board Member)
Dave Butz (Board Member)
Chuck Norris (Celebrity Spokesperson)
Harlon Carter (Former NRA Executive Vice President)
Oliver North (Board Member)
Richard Childress (Board Member)
Ted Nugent (Board Member)
Jeff Cooper (Former Board Member)
Johnny Nugent (Board Member)
Chris Cox (Executive Director)
Jay Printz (Board Member)
Larry Craig (Board Member)
Todd Rathner (Board Member)
Cam Edwards (NRA News Radio Host)
Kayne Robinson (Executive Director of NRA General Operations Division)
R. Lee Ermey (Board Member)
Wayne Anthony Ross (Board Member)
Manny Fernandez (Board Member)
Ron Schmeits (Board Member)
Sandy Froman (Board Member)
Tom Selleck (Board Member)
Jim Gilmore (Board Member)
John Sigler (Board Member)
Marion Hammer (Board Member)
Rep. Don Young (Board Member)

[Atypical Liberal]

67. Yes, so?

What does this have to do with the fact that the reason there are so few Democrats supported by the NRA is the fact that there are so few pro-second amendment Democrats to support.

This does not change the fact that where they are to be found, the NRA supports and even endorses Democrats. Like I said, in the last election all of my Democratic candidates except one had high marks from the NRA, and three were the endorsed candidate.

Yes, there is no doubt that the NRA has a right-wing bias, and this is no doubt a consequence of the fact that the majority of their membership is right-wing, so they pander to it.

[SGMRTDARMY]

71. Rational?

Your a good one to talk about rational.
So why not have the Dem. Party wholeheartedly embrace the 2ND Amendment, join the NRA and stage a coup from within and make it a more moderate board?
That would just about neuter the GOP
Do you see a problem with that? Other than your extinct interpertation of the 2ND Amendment.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

20. You say that "know that the NRA is very unpopular here." It is with some.

But how do you measure popularity or the lack of it?

Is it determined by those who are the most vociferous?

Liberals and progressives have different points of view. Lock-step thinking is something that should only be tolerated by right-wing nuts.

[Kaleva]

22. I've been here for over 4 years and I have a good idea...

as to the general feeling about the NRA.

To test the waters yourself, write something positive about the NRA and post it in GD. If it doesn't get locked right away for being off topic, I'm sure the results won't be pretty.

[Hoyt]

28. You know why? Because the NRA is a right wing organization.

The likes of Pierre and Nugent guarantee that. They are bigoted, greedy bastards who also back guns.

[Kaleva]

30. I would not disagree with your assesment.

Nugent came here to Upper Michigan in 2010 to help (R) Benishek campaign against NRA endorsed (D) McDowell.

[SGMRTDARMY]

33. Why would anyone

take that chickenhawkshit child molesting moo foo seriously?

[Kaleva]

37. Yes. The face of the NRA, Nugent, was out campaigning against NRA endorsed candidates.

[gejohnston]

39. How did this asshole get elected to the board?

His mouth is always doing more harm than good. Nugent is Republican and right wing nut case first, 2A second. It is not like anyone is talking about registering compound bows.

[Kaleva]

57. I don't know either.

[Hoyt]

73. It's a right wing organization under the guise of a gun lobby organization.

Do you honestly think the NRA lobbyists don't send a message to those who accept their bribes that right wing causes -- bigotry, warmongering, cutting taxes for rich, and worse -- are part of the "deal."

Look at the fuckers on their board.

[SGMRTDARMY]

32. What you say is right

so let's work to change it. First have the Party wholehearedly embrace the 2ND Amendment which would take that issue away from the Repubs., next have Dems join the NRA enmass and change its policy and rhetoric from within. If we do that, then I suspect that our Party would consign the GOP to the ash heap of history.

There are a lot of moderate Repubs. out there who will vote Democrat if we change our stance on gun control.

[Hoyt]

34. They do embrace 2nd A -- just not the way you want it to be interpreted.

If someone will not vote for a Democrat over guns -- they won't vote for them anyway. You are naive if you think those greedy, warmongering, bigoted/racist, screw the poor, skallywags will vote Democratic.

[gejohnston]

35. to interpet it the way you want it,

you have to dismantle the empire and MIC. Too many people, gun owners or not, are too naive to realize that the GOP says "we support workers and the middle class" means "we support the executive workforce and help middle level billionaires to become mega billionaires.

[SGMRTDARMY]

36. Naive? You know not what your talking about

I have several repub friends who would vote Dem if not for the party platform on guns.
Yeah, keep up the name calling, that really helps alot.

[Kaleva]

56. I disagree and I'll give you Stupak as an example.

Other then the first time he ran for Congress, which he won with a little over 53% of the vote, Stupak consistently got anywhere from just under 57% to just over 70% of the vote. Election after election. In order to accomplish that in this Repub leaning district, Stupak would not just have to get a very high percentage of the Dem vote but a good percentage of the Repub vote too

Stupak often beat a Repub who had an "A" rating and was endorsed by the NRA but in Stupak's favor with the gun crowd was that he had the record of voting against the Assault Weapons Ban in '94, voting for its repeal in '96 and voting against renewing it in 2004.

[Simo 1939_1940]

58. Not for your closed mind, but for the benefit of open-minded lurkers:

As true (or truer!) today as when it was written......

http://www.thenation.com/article/democrat-killer

[Tuesday Afternoon]

70. First Four Paragraphs as allowed by DU:

Shannon Robinson is an unlikely prototype of a twenty-first-century opinion shaper. With disheveled gray hair, a ruddy face, a voice gravelly from years of chain-smoking Marlboros and a habit of sipping translucent maté tea from a thermos through a silver straw, Robinson looks more like a down-and-out prizefighter than a cutting-edge politician. Yet this 57-year-old is a Democratic state senator in New Mexico, and he informally heads a group of state politicians who call themselves the Bull Moosers. When an issue that the members of this caucus care about comes up for a vote in the Santa Fe Capitol, they signal its importance by putting their fingers up to their ears and imitating the antlers on a male moose. Bills to do with hunting, fishing, guns, trucks, boats, ranching and such are routinely greeted by a raising of the antlers.

The Bull Moosers are a potent alliance of rural representatives, many of them Hispanic, and politicians, like Robinson, from poorer city districts (Robinson represents an impoverished, heavily immigrant and crime-ridden neighborhood in Albuquerque). "Not many people care much about my part of town," says Robinson, in between maté sips. "But these folks have done that for me. So when we talk about issues important to ranchers and the guys with boots on, I pay a lot of attention to that. I'm the number-one Bull Moose. One of those old stags. Got some chipped-off antlers."

One of the Bull Moosers' signature issues is opposition to gun control. For close to a decade, Robinson pushed for a concealed-carry law in the state, allowing residents to apply for permits to carry hidden guns. This year, with support from Democratic Governor--and talked-about 2008 presidential candidate--Bill Richardson, the law finally passed. Sponsored by Robinson, concealed carry was defended on the floor of the Statehouse by Democratic caucus chair John Heaton, a retired pharmacist from rural Eddy County, as well as Judiciary Committee chairman Joseph Cervantes--a young and rising star within New Mexico Democratic politics.

It was in many ways symbolic; only about 2,500 concealed-carry permits have been issued, and most of those are for the ruggedly remote rural areas of the state where, in practice, police have long turned a blind eye to people carrying concealed weaponry illegally. Nonetheless, Heaton, a tall, tanned man with a shock of gray hair parted down the left side and a kindly, grandfatherly face--a Norman Rockwell image brought to life--believes the bill's passage was important. Fear that Democrats will restrict gun rights "is a major background issue with voters in the West, particularly in New Mexico," a state with the country's largest shooting range (the Whittington Center, in the northern town of Raton) and about 40,000 National Rifle Association members, the representative states. "Guns reflect the independence, and the independent nature, of the people of the West, and restrictions on certain rights don't play very well. Frankly, being able to take that issue off the table makes a huge difference. There are many, many of my constituents who vote that issue by itself. I know people who are registered Democrats who vote Republican because they don't think there's any consistency on guns. At a national level they simply won't vote for a Democratic candidate. There has to be overt action by Democrats to demonstrate that they are not opposed to guns, in fact support them and the civil use of them."

more at the link:
http://www.thenation.com/article/democrat-killer

[Egalitarian Thug]

72. You know how to change that? Join.

That's right, the NRA is a member driven organization, so if enough people join and vote to change it, it will change. The NRA is so entrenched within the republican party because that's the party that wanted them.

[Dawson Leery]

55. Ted Strickland is pro-gun and so is Russ Feingold.

The NRA has NO monopoly on the representation of gun owners.