December 03, 2007
NRA Wants A "Viable" Candidate
Much of the talk about Mike Huckabee's rise in Iowa turns on this -- Even with a win there he would struggle in N.H., where Mitt Romney has been the frontrunner and John McCain appears to be gaining some steam. But it seems to On Call, that there's one thing that could provide Huckabee some serious leverage in the Granite State, should he actually come out on top in Iowa and that's the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.
Andrew Arulanandam, director of public affairs for the NRA, said the group usually holds off until the conventions to pick a candidate.
"Typically, we don’t endorse until after the nominations at conventions," he said. "That has been standard operating procedure as far as NRA in presidential races. For us to make any endorsement in the primary is definitely out of the ordinary as far as what we usually do."
Out of the ordinary, perhaps, but not out of the realm of the possible, Arulanandam said.
By On Call's estimation, the group would rather sit out the primary season than back Rudy Giuliani or Romney, whose records on the Second Amendment leave much to be desired for the sporting set. So wouldn't it be interesting, and couldn't it potentially shake things up in the Live Free or Die state, if the NRA made a critical announcement between the Iowa caucuses and N.H. primary? An announcement that could carry Huckabee or McCain to a top three finish ...
" I think guns have as much a role to play up here as abortion does," said Dante Scala, an assistant professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire.
Arulanandam said NRA officials have met privately with each of the GOP candidates, except Ron Paul. In many ways, the NRA is in an enviable position. There are five guys, a flailing Fred Thompson included, who could hugely use the endorsement and are making it known that they want it. Two of them -- Mitt and Rudy -- have tried to finesse their records to meet the NRA's standards. Thus far, however, none of them has sealed the deal.
Arulanandam said the NRA always aims to endorse a "viable" candidate. Take from that what you will about the state of the GOP contest.
"We’re still kicking it around," Arulanandam said of a primary season endorsement. "We haven’t really come up with a decision one way or another."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 05:21 PM
Comments
Of course the liberal NRA is hedging their bets. They don't know who they want to maintain the current status quo of the unconstitutional gun laws, and they're waiting to see what falls out between the early primaries and how SCOTUS will lean on the DC gun ban case, which they had nothing to do with!
Of course, they could just go and endorse Dr. Paul and be done with it...
Tannim | 12.03.07 06:04 PM
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Governor Huckabee is definitely the man. His record is impeccable. He is outspoken and articulate. He understands the 2nd amendment and is not afraid to explain it to those who don't. His record in Arkansas is perfect. What a help the NRA could give to the leader who mosts supports the NRA! Check out his website if you're not sure: www.mikehuckabee.com
Steve L | 12.03.07 06:07 PM
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the NRA really isn't that big of a nomination anymore...a lot of gunowners are moving away from it and towards the GOA as they are sick of the NRA making compromises based on political deals. they still have big money and big names, but I'd like to see membership trends...
Eric Franz | 12.03.07 06:44 PM
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The NRA hasn't endorsed anyone because they're between a rock and a hard place. Support Giuliani, and then everyone will know they're actually FOR gun control, if not the champion of that cause. Support someone like Paul who actually believes in the 2nd amendment, who actually supports the Gun Owners of America, and they lose all their support back in DC.
Fritz | 12.03.07 07:20 PM
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Why? May I ask You has NRA not talked to Congressman Paul? A stauch constitutionalist and defender of the second amendmant. Seems the NRA is infiltrated by the liberal Neocons. Sad day. Pass the word not to join the NRA and if you are a member drop out and join the Gun Owners of America.
Ron Aldof | 12.03.07 07:26 PM
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"finesse their records"
Now that's a polite way to put it! LOL!
Paul | 12.03.07 07:47 PM
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Groups have lost their power, people awaken to individuality, the NRA is a political machination, therefore will neglect Dr. Ron Paul whilst the majority of their members will vote for him. Typical, I have never voted for who my union endorses, it is futile to label anyone anymore.
When you label me, you negate me.
Mark G. | 12.03.07 08:02 PM
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Since when is the candidate raising the most money in the fourth quarter, drawing the biggest crowds, winning the most party straw polls, and attracting the most volunteers (by far) -- not considered viable?
On top of that, he has the best record on the Second Amendment not just of those running, but of anyone in Congress.
Wake up, NRA! Endorse Ron Paul.
Craig | 12.03.07 08:55 PM
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It is a pleasure to see the NRA not immediately backing Dr. Paul, a hesitation which allows their own marginalization to continue unabated. I would hate to see them latch onto Paul's run to try and make themselves relevant again. The sooner they are gone and forgotten the sooner we can stop thinking about our rights as negotiable. Good riddance.
Mark Rushmore | 12.03.07 10:59 PM
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Huckabee is soft on illegal immigration.
He "doesn't want to punish the children" of illegal aliens so he wants to give them scholarships...well the result of that is to PUNISH my children who will not be eligible for this tax suppported largess and they will end up paying for it as well.
arthur | 12.04.07 11:36 AM
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A "flailing" Fred Thompson wouldn't be "flailing" If the NRA stepped up and endorsed him. National Right to Life didn't seem to have much of a problem with their endorsement.
Rudy's campaign has begun to crumble. The time is now to endorse a conservative, strong pro-2nd amendment candidate.
mmichaels | 12.04.07 01:06 PM
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While it does not surprise me that the NRA would ignore Ron Paul, it should come as no surprise to the NRA that I ignore their low-brow circus act cum sweepstakes mailers in my mailbox ...
MuzzleBlast | 12.04.07 06:06 PM
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To any KABA person who seriously thinks there is any candidate other than Ron Paul who genuinely supports the 2nd Amendment, and your right to keep, bear and use your firearms for self-defense, I make this following challenge: take all the pro-firearms legislation introduced by ALL the candidates and distill it into one person; take ALL the anti-firearms legislation blocked or opposed by ALL the candidates and condense it into one person. Take that fictitious candidate and put it next to Ron Paul's decades long, unwavering support of the 2nd Amendment, and all the legislation he has personally introduced and supported as well as all the anti-gun legistlation he has opposed, and you will find the difference is about an ocean wide. There is simply no other candidate -- even that fictitious one -- who compares with Ron Paul's decades long Pro 2nd Amendment track record.
And -- if you want to really know why the hacks in the NRA actually oppose Ron Paul, just stop and ask yourself what the REAL function of the NRA has devolved into over the years.... FUND RAISING, currying political favor (with the Brady Bunch, for starters....) and kissing political butt, rather than vigorously supporting the repeal of ALL firearms laws.
A Ron Paul presidency would spell doom for the NRA and make them even more irrelevant than they have made themselves -- for Ron Paul would undermine and drastically curtail their efforts to raise money. After all, what would they have to raise money FOR???
THINK ABOUT IT!
By the way, I am a LIFE MEMBER of both the NRA and GOA, but the NRA will never get a penny from me again from this day forward!
Vince
Vince | 12.04.07 11:27 PM
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NRA: Please support John McCain! Please.
The rest of the GOP are great. Each of them would be much better than any Dem but I think John McCain stands to gain a great deal in NH with an NRA endorsement.
God help Sen. McCain before he gets back to S. Carolina.
Annie | 12.07.07 04:04 AM
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RON PAUL IS THE MAN !! WAKE UP PEOPLE. NRA NEEDS TO SUPORT HIM IN EVERY WAY.
JASON | 12.28.07 05:50 PM
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Every month it seems that "America's First Freedom", the magazine of the NRA rails against media bias against guns. This is true, but it is also true that the NRA practices its own bias against Ron Paul. In the eight years I have been reading their magazine, I haven't read an article about Ron Paul even once. I have only seen his name when they grade candidates for congressional elections, and incredibly, they usually rate him a "B" or "C". I would like to see some justification for this. Also, if they can waste time talking to anti-gunners like Giuliani and Romney, WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T THEY MET WITH RON PAUL? If I don't get some answers soon, I will no longer bother with the NRA.
Eric Rowley | 01.04.08 03:01 AM
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Fred Thompson is the only real choice. The only one who is well rounded in ALL conservative issues. He is the only one that understands that the 2nd amendment is about much more than hunting and sporting, but a true God given right to defend one self and family.
Luke | 01.05.08 03:36 AM
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