Awwww, da NRA is maddddd....

**R13** · August 2nd, 2009, 12:44 AM

WASHINGTON - 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 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.
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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.

NRA's influence gave GOP senators pause
Many Republicans who were considered possible "yes" votes for Sotomayor ? including Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison ? have come out against her after the NRA's announcement, citing gun-rights concerns as an important reason.

Some Democrats who have high NRA ratings, including Alaska Sen. Mark Begich and Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, are on the fence.

Still, the NRA's threats seem to hold less potency on this vote. Asked whether he was worried about ruining his perfect NRA score and endorsement by opting to vote for Sotomayor, Nelson paused and said with a smile, "I'd probably have a good rating regardless."

The NRA derives much of its considerable clout from what has become a kind of mantra on Capitol Hill: Defy the gun lobby on something it cares about and face recriminations at the polls; back it and enjoy a substantial political boost.

It's something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Lawmakers generally are terrified to test it, and the NRA is politically savvy about which issues it takes on. Its won-loss record adds to its reputation as untouchable.

NRA made late decision on ratings
So why would the gun lobby risk undercutting its clout by stepping into this Supreme Court debate?

GOP leaders, particularly Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate's top Republican, helped forced the group's hand.

At the conclusion of the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Sotomayor two weeks ago, the NRA came out in opposition to her, calling her "hostile" to the Second Amendment right to bear arms. But it stopped short of saying it would include the vote on her confirmation in its political ratings.

In a later meeting on Capitol Hill with Republican senators and conservative activists, McConnell asked if the group planned to "score" the confirmation vote. The NRA was noncommittal.

Accounts of the meeting vary, and McConnell's aides deny that he leaned on the NRA to rate the Sotomayor vote. But others present or briefed later on the session said it was clear that McConnell and other leaders wanted the NRA's scorekeeping.

"The Republican leadership reminded them that if they don't care about judges, they should," said Curt Levey of the conservative Committee for Justice. "For 130 years, the NRA could be effective by focusing on legislation, but now, after last year's Supreme Court decision in Heller, this issue is in the courts ? pretty much like abortion was after Roe v. Wade."

Another page to the story, just click the link -
NRA?s threat on Sotomayor vote misfires - Capitol Hill- msnbc.com

**dmike2009** · August 2nd, 2009, 12:55 AM

This is the same NRA who's national spokesman Charlton Heston use to hold NRA rallies across the street from funerals of mass shooting victims. Now he's dead, would have liked to have boycotted his funeral, LOL

**Biggin** · August 2nd, 2009, 02:34 AM

thats simply not true, the nra had their convention set for weeks beforehand, and it wasnt like it was the same city, it was only some sort of voting thing they said

but with ANY, not jus this one, special interest groups having this much political power in washington is sickening.

**R13** · August 2nd, 2009, 02:46 AM

He did have them after a couple school shootings, don't know about across from a funeral. I just can't stand them, they're a joke to me...proven liars duing the campaign last year.

**starbuck** · August 2nd, 2009, 03:07 AM

everyone on the campaign trail is a liar for their own cause.

**R13** · August 2nd, 2009, 01:49 PM

100% false attack ads is little far.

**Mitesh** · August 2nd, 2009, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by R13

I just can't stand them, they're a joke to me...proven liars duing the campaign last year.

There are no more a joke or liar than the politicians in DC. We (the people) have been lied to for generations by all the politicians.

**Biggin** · August 3rd, 2009, 12:23 AM

i totally agree wit the above

it ****es me off so bad that the american people cant get a straight answer or truth on anything.

**R13** · August 3rd, 2009, 02:06 AM

I just have always hated the NRA, well really since I realized how many lies they tell. I've read their letters they've sent out(stepdads a member), plus the campaign ads that Obama was closing 90% of gun shops down, banning hunting ammo and all that stuff. Kills me with the massive support they get, I personally don't think they do much.