The NRA had issued statements expressing concern and ultimately opposing Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation based upon her anti-Second Amendment record, and her failure to adequately allay concerns about that record during the hearings—but the big question remained: would they pull the trigger and score the vote? The NRA grades congressmen based upon gun-related legislation or nomination votes that they choose to “score.” Thus, if the Sotomayor confirmation vote were not scored, a Senator could have a perfect rating from the NRA, even if they cast a vote regarding Sotomayor that could do long-term damage to gun owner’s interests. Today, the NRA sent a letter to Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell confirming that they will be scoring the vote.
Why does this matter? Just ask Harry Reid. He joined 19 other Democrats in voting for Thune’s concealed-carry amendment yesterday—an NRA scored vote. Democrats crossing the line included:
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Begich (D-AK)
Bennet (D-CO)
Casey (D-PA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feingold (D-WI)
Hagan (D-NC)
Johnson (D-SD)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reid (D-NV)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
Warner (D-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Indeed, Reid joined 15 Democrats who, in three other NRA-scored votes this year, consistently voted the pro-gun position. The scorecard ends up being very important in red state races, where voters scrutinize a candidate’s gun-rights record—whether that candidate is a Republican or as a Democrat. The White House will undoubtedly put tremendous pressure on these red-state Democrats to vote for Sotomayor, but given the NRA’s decision to score, they will likely be seeing increased pressure from constituents, as well, whether now, or come re-election time when they have to explain their vote.
Cross-posted at Bench Memos on National Review Online
He joined 19 other Democrats in voting for Thune’s concealed-carry amendment yesterday—
So the Thune Amdt was defeated by Republicans, only twenty of whom voted for it? How depressing. And the same thing will play out with Sotomayer.
The NRA won't do this because if they started actually not paying gun grabbers then soon there would be no one left to pay and no one left to speak at their fundraisers. The higher ups might have so much free time they might have to go out and shoot a gun (for sporting purposes I mean). I think a lot of the members still live by "from my cold dead hands," but the organization is a PAC first and and a gun club last.
Brutus, you're a nut. I even agree with you on some things, but you're still a tinfoil-hat wearing conspiracy nut.
You are entitled to your opinion about me, I don't blame you for thinking that. Part of me wishes I still looked at certain things in that way, but following the 'conspiracy' reporters over the past two years I have found them to be the most accurate source of news. Its actualy rather devastating If you really start reading the white papers and documents and not the second hand mass consumption news. Do you think I am wrong about this issue though. I am a NRA member, they were not going to 'score this vote,' but now because the 'conspiracy people' got on them and started angering up the gun club crowd they might have no choice.
I am a NRA member, they were not going to 'score this vote,' but now because the 'conspiracy people' got on them and started angering up the gun club crowd they might have no choice.
As I say, you're insane. I suppose that you know that is "because" of the "conspiracy people" because you read .... the conspiracy people.
Here In the end though, believe what ever you want for what ever reason you want. We should both fight to preserve the others right to at least do that.