NRA Threatens Lawmakers Over Sotomayor Vote

[Kadie]

Aug 1, 2009 4:15 pm US/Pacific
NRA Threatens Lawmakers Over Sotomayor Vote

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The National Rifle Association's threat to punish senators who vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been met with a shrug by Democrats from conservative-leaning states and some Republicans who are breaking with their party to support her.

The gun rights group is used to getting its way by spooking lawmakers about the political consequences of defying its wishes. But it never before has weighed in on a Supreme Court confirmation battle. It was cautious about breaking that pattern, and it looks like a losing a fight to defeat President Barack Obama's first pick for the court.

Sotomayor is expected to easily win confirmation in a vote this coming week that could deflate the long-accepted truism in Washington that you don't cross the NRA.

Voting "yes" will include A-plus-rated and NRA-endorsed Democratic Sen. Max Baucus and his fellow Montanan, A-rated Sen. Jon Tester, as well as A-rated and NRA-endorsed Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, the only GOP leader to break with the rest of this party to back Sotomayor.

That's not to say that the NRA's late decision to wade in hasn't had an impact.

more...
http://cbs13.com/national/nra.sonia.sotomayor.2.1111119.html

[baldguy]

1. NRA=GOP

[armyowalgreens]

3. The NRA gives a shitload of money to pro-gun democrats...

I don't think it's accurate to say that the NRA is the GOP.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Look at the agenda, and draw your conclusions

and look at which Democrats the NRA subsidizes.

NRA = GOP. Oh, you betcha, yeah...

[armyowalgreens]

6. The NRA rabidly supports pro-gun politicians...

That should be expected from the National Rifle Association.


It just so happens that there is a much larger portion of republicans that have pro-gun ideologies.

[Xipe Totec]

9. What is Sonia Sotomayor's position on Gun Control?

Has she stated one?

If not, on what grounds is the NRA opposing her?

[armyowalgreens]

11. From what I understand, Maloney v. Cuomo has them on edge...

Sotomayor stated that states are allowed to apply restrictions to the 2nd amendment. In other words, states can pass gun control laws.

[Statistical]

15. Sotomayor stated that the 2nd is not a fundamental right.

The word fundamental is important. Only fundamental rights are incorporated against the states.

If 2nd not fundamental, then 2nd will not be incorporated.
If 2nd is not incorporated the states could ban all guns everywhere in every form and not be in violation of the 2nd.

So is it surprising that a single issue organization like NRA would apply pressure in this instance?

Would a pro-choice organizaztion if a justice said that the Constitution doesn't protect the right to abortion?

However it is all a tempest in a teapot.

Sotomayor will be confirmed.
It doesn't change the balance of power on gun issues because Sotomayor replaces Souter who is the most anti-RKBA justice on SCOTUS.

[baldguy]

7. Another name for "pro-gun democrats" is the Blue Dogs.

And we always seem to be having problems with them. Why is that?

[armyowalgreens]

8. BS. Not all pro-gun persons are conservative. I'm a pro-gun socialist.

Do you have an issue with that?

[baldguy]

13. And what office were you elected to?

[armyowalgreens]

14. Me? I'm Governor of the yet to be introduced 51st state...

No word yet on what that state might be.


You have no basis for your argument. The NRA supports pro-gun politicians. Most democratic politicians, especially the liberal ones, do not have pro-gun ideologies.

The NRA doesn't support blue-dogs because they are conservative. They support them because they are pro-gun.

[baldguy]

17. Proof

Members of the Blue Dog Coalition.

* Jason Altmire (PA-4), rated "A" by the NRA
* Mike Arcuri (NY-24), rated "A"
* Joe Baca (CA-43), rated "A"
* John Barrow (GA-12), rated "A"
* Sanford Bishop (GA-2), rated "A+"
* Dan Boren (OK-2), rated "A+"
* Leonard Boswell (IA-3), rated "A"
* Allen Boyd (FL-2), rated "A"
* Dennis Cardoza (CA-18), rated "A"
* Christopher Carney (PA-10), rated "B"
* Ben Chandler (KY-6), rated "A"
* Travis Childers (MS-1), rated "A"
* Jim Cooper (TN-5), rated "A"
* Henry Cuellar (TX-28), rated "A"
* Joe Donnelly (IN-2), rated "A"
* Brad Ellsworth (IN-8), rated "A"1
* Bart Gordon (TN-6), rated "A"
* Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL), rated "A"
* Baron Hill (IN-9), rated "A"
* Tim Holden (PA-17), rated "A"
* Jim Marshall (GA-8), rated "A"
* Jim Matheson (UT-2), rated "A"
* Mike McIntyre (NC-7), rated "A"
* Charlie Melancon (LA-3), rated "A"
* Mike Michaud (ME-2), rated "A"
* Collin Peterson (MN-7), rated "A"
* Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL), rated "B+"
* Mike Ross (AR-4), rated "A+"
* John Salazar (CO-3), rated "A"
* David Scott (GA-13), rated "B"
* Heath Shuler (NC-11), rated "A"
* Zack Space (OH-18), rated "A"
* John Tanner (TN-8), rated "A"
* Gene Taylor (MS-4), rated "A"
* Mike Thompson (CA-1), rated "B+"
* Charlie Wilson (OH-6), rated "A"

If you hadn't noticed, cons generally have an obsession with guns.

[armyowalgreens]

19. What is that proof of? Proof that I'm right?

They support pro-gun politicians. They do not support anti-gun politicians.

[hfojvt]

20. A's and B's but what are Republicans rated?

And what is, say, Tammy Baldwin rated? And why isn't Dennis Moore on that list? Isn't he a Blue Dog, or did you only include the Blue Dogs with A's and B's? How many other Blue Dogs are not on that list?

[movonne]

16. Yes...

[cali]

21. well, bernie sanders may not be a dem, but he's pro-gun.

in fact, that's how he initially won his seat in the house. he defeated a pro-gun control repub.

[Skittles]

2. the NRA can fuck itself

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Very nice - "threaten to punish senators........"

Your concern is duly noted.

:banghead:

[seeviewonder]

10. I'm calling the NRA's bluff

What are they gonna do, shoot her! FUCK THE NRA!!!

[DFW]

12. The NRA is so totally obsessed with firearms

It's inevitable that they will shoot themselves in the foot every now and then.

[bemildred]

18. Bring it on. nt