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NRA puts its muscle behind McCain

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 9, 2008 09:59 AM

It's not a big surprise, but today's formal endorsement of John McCain by the National Rifle Association could help him among the white working class voters who could determine the winner in swing states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania that could hold the key to the White House.

NRA leaders are traveling today to Pittsburgh, Pa., Springfield, Mo., Colorado Springs, Colo. and Reno, Nev. for a series of press conferences announcing the endorsement.

"John McCain has more than two decades of pro-gun and pro-hunting votes in Congress. He has stood time and again to preserve our Second Amendment freedom and our rich hunting heritage," NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said in a statement.

But the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence notes that the NRA in 2001 called McCain "one of the premier flag carriers for the enemies of the Second Amendment" after he pushed to require criminal background checks at gun shows.

Instead, the NRA highlighted McCain's votes against handgun restrictions, mandatory waiting periods to buy guns, national gun registration, and against bans on hunting ammunition. It also noted that McCain's running mate Sarah Palin is a hunter, gun owner, and NRA life member. And it bashed Democrat Barack Obama's record on gun rights.

"NRA members and gun owners will not allow Barack Obama to hide his radical record of opposition to our constitutional rights," said Cox. "Obama has voted to make self-defense with a firearm in the home illegal, has voted to ban the most commonly owned hunting shotguns, has voted to ban commonly owned hunting ammunition, and has supported a 500% tax increase on guns and ammunition. We will remind voters every single time he pretends that his anti-gun record doesn't exist."

Obama's camp disputes that characterization of his record and his stands on gun issues. When a divided US Supreme Court in June threw out the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., he sought a middle ground, saying he supports the right to gun ownership, but also said local communities should be able to enact "common-sense" regulations.

The NRA's Political Victory Fund has already spent more than $2.3 million opposing Obama, and plans to spend more than $10 million before Election Day. The NRA endorsed President Bush, but declined to endorse Republican Bob Dole in 1996 race or President George H.W. Bush in 1992.

The NRA today bought a full-page ad in today's USA Today that tries to piggyback on a mailer that Hillary Clinton sent out during the Democratic primaries that mentions Obama's comment at a San Francisco fund-raiser that some small-town voters bitter about their economic troubles "cling to guns or religion."

"Hillary was right: You can't trust Obama with your guns," says the ad.

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Real suprise here, with Palin's blessing of shooting animals from helicopters.

Posted by Sam October 9, 08 10:04 AM
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The NRA cares more about carrying an arsenal around in the trunk of their cars then providing health care and economic security to the country. After the NRA is done destroying the financial infrastructure of this country, it WILL BE NECESSARY to carry guns everywhere, because American streets will be a free for all.

Posted by Jon Becker October 9, 08 11:03 AM
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all the repub should play the joker in the next batman movie

Posted by frank October 9, 08 11:22 AM
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will someone tell them that the people has made up their minds already and that they should save their money.

Posted by frank October 9, 08 11:27 AM
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John McCain, Definition

Maverick
1: an unbranded range animal ; especially : a motherless calf2: an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party

or?

Judas Horse
1: A domestic horse which has been trained to lead wild horses into a trap.

Posted by d Miner October 9, 08 11:31 AM
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Don't worry guys. People like me will still be around to protect you, even if you try to disarm me.

~ national guardsman, personal gun owner.

Posted by Sure,DisarmAmerica October 9, 08 12:04 PM
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All I've got to say is "WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG?"

Posted by t October 9, 08 12:08 PM
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Yes, the NRA is really a major force in our economy.

Posted by Huh? October 9, 08 12:17 PM
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# 6, that is so patriotic!

Posted by Sam October 9, 08 12:29 PM
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Wow, how dare someone want to hunt for their meat? Right? I mean forget that here in Ohio alone, the Deer population has more than quadrupled in the last 20 years from 150,000 to over 600,000. This increase in the herd here has caused over $70 million worth of damage in deer/car accidents.
Still inhumane?
What about the damage deer do to the crops of local farmers. They can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in crops they eat due to a lack of natural food resources because of overpopulation. That means the price of produce goes up.
So stop crying about the "butchering of innocent animals" or whatever other junk gets said about hunting. These people hunting may benefit YOU more than you know, by keeping your car in one piece and keeping your produce costs lower.

Posted by Lance October 9, 08 12:37 PM
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Lance, check your facts. Wolves in Alaska are being shot from helicopters. It's been illegal for quite some time in AK, and now Palin has reversed that law. No one is advocating for a ban on hunting deer for food, or hunting at all. Quit making things up.

Posted by Sam October 9, 08 01:16 PM
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Gun owner here, also someone who's seen a friend lose a young family member to a gun accident. Obama doesn't want to take my guns, he just wants me to be respectful of their power, is that too much to ask? "Sure, Disarm America" I'm with you, if sh*t hits the fan, I'll gladly defend my fellow americans regardless of their stance on guns. It's my right AND my duty as a gun owner. I'm a begrudging member of the NRA, but sometimes I feel thay go too far in seeking gun freedoms. Just my humble opinion.

Posted by mbeck2 October 9, 08 01:21 PM
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Glad to here this. As a gun owner and a retired vet This good news.

Posted by Tim October 9, 08 01:39 PM
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I have known McCain for 40 years and I will stand by him.

Posted by veg October 9, 08 02:22 PM
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I'm 50 years old and have never registered to vote. UNTIL NOW..This race has gotten me off of my butt in a big way. I,as well as my entire family and friends will vote McCain/Palin. Should obama happen to win,we all LOSE!

Proud N.R.A. Member Living In the South!

Posted by JEB October 9, 08 03:36 PM
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Hey Lance,

Those deer were there before you and the farmers. Nice try.

Posted by McCain has lost October 9, 08 05:21 PM
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Iraq won? Seems like Obama is doing the devil a favor and leading the rest of the army to their deaths in Afghanistan, forgetting the lost in Iraq where it failed. I myself am not surprised to see Obama leading the USA after it lost thousands of soldiers in Iraq. I wish I can say something smart, but it's hard to when you have to feel bad for some welfarian-raised loser that pretty much might be praying to the devil for you to have an accident of some type. I was baptized Christian and at least I get the dishonor to have some muslim eat the bread when he is not Catholic and then say he isn't Christian but he's actually Christian yet Muslim but out of intelligence because Christianity is just a word.

Posted by Amado Castaneda October 9, 08 05:35 PM
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Gun control was never a big issue for me; although, I haven't wanted strict gun control. I was glad to see some good news for McCain, though, because I think he will be a better president. Obama represents a cult of personality, and I don't think that goes well with being the most powerful leader on earth. Let's elect McCain warts and all and at least be able to question him if we have to.

Posted by katherine October 9, 08 05:56 PM
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Even more impressive is Esquire Magazine for the FIRST time in its 75 year history has endorsed a presidential candidate. His name is NOT John McCain.

Time for the republicans to start accusing this magazine of being liberal left wingish and a 1 and a 2 and a 3 here we goooo!

Posted by Pam October 9, 08 07:55 PM
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Wow, now I will never read Esquire. Esquire must not be proud of America either, it would rather endorse a person who will not show any backbone and stand up against those who threaten us.........oh, thats right, I will talk with the enemy.
Thank goodness we have a proven leader to serve as Commander in Chief.
McCain/Palin 2008 "THE RIGHT VOTE"

At least the NRA did the right thing.....its a shame that to many Americans just don't get it...but they will if he gets elected!

Posted by Capt. Matthew October 9, 08 09:54 PM
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My original post had to do with population control of animals (I used the deer, because that's what I know) due to the pop. outgrowing its habitat and the animals wander into residential areas looking for food and can cause accidents. The concept can be applied similarly, NOT EXACTLY, but similarly to controlling the wolf population.
The wolf control is being done to help with the dwindling caribou population in Alaska. It's not like the Alaska Department of Fish & Game give everyone that walks through their door a high-powered rifle and a clip of ammo. The ADF&G did a study of the caribou calf carcasses that they found and 40% of those deaths were caused by wolves. So the Alaskan citizens can either control the wolf population, which has fewer natural enemies and an abundant population, or they can let the Caribou all die out and blame it on global warming or something like that.
But, I'm sure you'll choose that latter of the two choices leaving me again shaking my head and wondering why I read the comment sections of the Political articles.

Posted by Lance again October 9, 08 10:18 PM
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You, children have never fought for your freedom, nor would you know it when you are about to lose it. The second ammendment is a symbol of all our freedoms. Obama says you have the right to free speech, but that government has the power to stop you from speaking about any subject it wants.

Ask Bridget Bardot how much freedom costs in France ($22,000.00).

"Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation.", says BHO (wishful thinking; watch him take our Judeo-Christian values and replace them with a government-forced economic equality).

Posted by Greg October 9, 08 10:20 PM
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this guy wont pledge aligance to our flag..he wants to (change) or take away our constitutional rights ,and he wears a towell on his head when he`s with his (people) and you ignorant m#*!r F*#!ers want him for you president ??? were all in for trouble

Posted by Obama,Hussein ,Binladen shal not rule the U.S. October 9, 08 10:47 PM
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While I can respect the power of guns, just like Obama, there is no need for more gun restrictions, or tax raises on our purchasing of ammunition. obama makes me sick when i read of that little plan of his. and as for the wolves being shot from helicopters, this really shows your ignorance sam. You do some research about why such action is necessary. check the overpopulation numbers, then check the food chain.

Posted by garrett so. oregon. October 10, 08 02:50 PM
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well i am a firm believer in the 2nd amendment, and i believe everyhome owner should have the right to own a gun as means of protection or even just going to the gun range and shooting off a few rounds for fun. i also believe we should have the right to protect our homes and families against intruders, or also stated in the 2nd amendmant an unfair goverment. and i agree with garrett, you guys try to find any reason to bash on the republican party without digging deep and getting all the facts, so it truly does show your ignorance. oh, and towards the providing health care comment, they plan to do that by taking away from those who actually earn a good salary by working hard not sitting on their lazy asses like most of the poor population, theyre's a reason most you don't have health insurance, you expect everyone to do it for you.

Posted by chloe October 10, 08 06:14 PM
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It figures an industry that makes its profit off every bullet that takes the life of a child, a grandmother, a student, a wife, a father, a baby would be endorsing McCain. One killing machine embracing the other.

McCain has always loved his lobbyists. How many homes have they bought him, I forget??? Is it 7 or 9?

Posted by JamesMorrison October 10, 08 09:00 PM
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