NRA Drops Mail Against Coats
The National Rifle Association has a long memory, and it's using its vaunted mailing list to remind IN voters that a top GOP recruit doesn't have a pure record on gun rights issues.
The NRA has sent mailers to IN voters blasting ex-Sen. Dan Coats (R), the NRSC's favored candidate in the race to replace retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), according to filings made over the weekend with the FEC.
During his first stint in Congress, Coats was one of 15 GOPers who voted for the Brady bill, a measure that instituted federal background checks for most gun purchases. The bill was part of Pres. Bill Clinton's anti-crime package.
Coats also voted for Clinton's larger anti-crime bill in '94. That bill included provisions banning some semi-automatic weapons; Coats voted for the bill before it went to conference committee, but then opposed it during final passage.
In a low-turnout, low-budget primary election, the NRA's involvement could prove critical. The group isn't putting a lot of money into hitting Coats -- they've spent just $18K so far, according to the filings -- but Coats and his 2 main rivals don't have a lot of money to put into the race.
Coats had just $291K in the bank as of April 14. Both ex-Rep. John Hostettler (R) and state Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R) have less than $100K in the bank. The NRA has not endorsed Hostettler or Stutzman, but the postcard points out that Hostettler had an "A" ranking during his time in Congress, while Stutzman's state Senate career earns him an "A+" ranking.
The group is sending out postcards on behalf of Reps. Mark Souder (R) and Dan Burton (R), both of whom face competitive primaries. GOP strategists who back Coats aren't worried; they say the NRA is spending enough to get Coats' attention, but not enough to seriously damage his candidacy. Coats, too, is reasserting his Second Amendment bona fides.
"Dan Coats supports preserving our Second Amendment freedoms and scored a 100% on the 2010 NRA Questionnaire," said Pete Seat, Coats' spokesman. "Like his fellow Hoosiers, Dan is focused on talking about the issues of today -- and has deep concerns about the Obama administration's attempts to infringe upon our liberties, including our Second Amendment rights."
Then again, some GOPers are worried about what the NRA will do in Nov., especially if Coats, as expected, clinches the GOP nomination. The postcard notes Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) has a "perfect" pro-gun record, and the NRA backed Ellsworth during his '08 campaign.
Coats had better hope that its a rainy Election Day this November. Voting for the Brady Bill, and then the semi-auto ban, are big no-nos. And getting a 100% on the questionnaire?! Actions in the House speak louder than spineless answers on a throwaway opinion piece, pal.
And Ellsworth has a real A rating, which means that the gun vote will go to him. That will prove to be the difference in a close vote.
If I were Coats, I'd start to campaign to promise that I would repeal as many federal gun laws as possible, once I got into office. But he won't. It will be Ellsworth winning the general by about 2-3 percent, since as a Democrat, he isn't that bad.
What the NRS's announcement doesn't include is that Hostettler has been consistently endorsed by them and the Gun Owners of America while in office. And that Indiana's General Assembly had several pieces of successful, good pro gun legislation last session. I would certainly hope that any sitting state Republican legislator earned an A+ rating. It would be very easy to do in Indiana.
Hello
thanks for this tips viagra
I wish I had maintained my weight, but now I have to get off my oversized butt and do something about it.
Not a bad idea.