ELECTION 2010
Is endorsing Reid on the NRA's calendar?
Rumors rampant gun organization wants Senate incumbent as lesser of 2 evils
Posted: July 09, 2010
11:20 pm Eastern
© 2010 WorldNetDaily
The National Rifle Association today stood on its publicly posted announcement that it has not yet endorsed any candidate in the Nevada Senate race – pitting tea-party challenger Sharron Angle against longtime Democrat powerhouse incumbent Sen. Harry Reid.
That's as rumors are flooding the Web that the organization, which recently angered many members by withdrawing opposition to a bill that effectively will limit free speech about candidates by some groups, was ready to adopt a pro-Harry stance amid concerns that a loss by the Senate leader would move an even more antigun candidate into the leadership post.
"The list of the NRA's transgressions against its membership and the Constitution is long. Shame on me, I had been following this story at a distance. When I saw hints out there that the NRA, in its misplaced zeal for covering its own pathetic rear end, were turning their backs on a solid Reagan conservative in favor of that slimy, walking wart Harry Reid, I went ballistic," wrote a blogger at RedState.com.
Another blogger, at TheTruthAboutGuns.com, compiled a pages-long list of Reid's votes against gun rights, including one last year in which he voted against a ban on the U.N. imposing taxes on Americans after world leaders suggested a global tax on firearms.
"I'm a life member of the NRA," the blogger wrote under "Full disclosure," and, under "Full(er) disclosure," added, "That could change."
"Case in point, the idea that they might well endorse Harry Reid's re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. Yep. That's right. On the heels of their bailing on opposition to a bill that would effectively muzzle political dissent (except for Unions, AARP, and the NRA) simply because 'it doesn't affect them,' now comes word that Really Soon Now, the NRA plans to endorse Harry … for another term in the U.S. Senate."
According to a statement maintained on the NRA website, the endorsement policy for the NRA Political Victory Fund addresses the Nevada fight, in which Reid is facing a battle for the Senate seat with Angle.
"As always in an election year, we receive many calls and e-mails inquiring about our endorsement policy in general, and specific races in particular. That trend has certainly held up this year, as we have received many inquiries about high-profile races, such as the Nevada Senate race. For the record, NRA (Political Victory Fund) has not yet announced any ratings or endorsements in this race," the organization said, including the emphasis in its original statement.
It explains the organization is "nonpartisan" and bases its recommendations on "Second Amendment issues."
But it does note the 4-million-member group "has an incumbent-friendly policy that dictates our support for pro-gun incumbents seeking re-election. It is important that we stand with our friends who stand with us in Congress or the state legislature through their actions."
The NRA has graded Reid with a "B" this year, even though another organization, Gun Owners of America, has given him an "F."
Officials with the NRA told WND their Internet statement stood.
But the report also noted the $61 million "earmarked by Reid," for a shooting park in Arizona.