A huge blunder by the NRA?

[kentuck]

For the NRA to come out so soon after the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook and to take the position they did, cannot sit very well with the majority of Americans, in my opinion.

For the first time in a long time, perhaps forever, the NRA will be a negative for any candidate running for office. They will not be bragging about their NRA credentials. They will be put on the defensive when asked if they support the NRA.

I think this was a terrible decision by Wayne LaPierre and the NRA to come out and have the press conference in the manner which they did.

[srican69]

1. nope ..they knew what they were doing and were on their game..

their number one objective is keep their congressheep in line.

don't give a shit as to what you/I think about it

[lunatica]

2. I think it was a great decision! They should continue to rub everyone the wrong way!

I hope they get very aggressive about it and make everyone very angry.

[1-Old-Man]

3. Yes, I do think this is going to hurt them

Every NRA member is not a raving lunatic and the more moderate of them will peel off the membership.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Let's hope they overplayed their hand.

We won't really make headway until their membership starts dropping off.

[OneMoreDemocrat]

5. Interesting take...

hadn't thought about it in quite that way.

The best thing for them to have done was to continue to keep their collective mouths shut.

One possibility for not doing so is that they know quite well how short people's attention spans are and by the time we are ready to (re)-elect folks for office, this (Newtown, press conference), will be remembered, but not with the same effect on us that it has today.

The problem they have at this point is that the people who love them do so for taking stances similar to this one in the face of any gun-related circumstances, so they really had no choice (even if some top members didn't like it), but to stay on message...I would bet that LaPierre is being hailed as courageous for taking the stance that he did, regardless whether or not it is insane at the very least and tone deaf at best.


Edited to say "How about that, my 666th post is dedicated in some manner to violence; AND falls on the day that the World will end".

[Teamster Jeff]

6. Just like the GOP found out that most Americans really don't care if gays get married

The NRA/GOP will find out that most Americans really won't mind an assault weapons ban or another form of gun control. And the more the NRA/GOP fight against any and all gun legislation the more extreme and unreasonable they will appear to be.

[ecstatic]

7. Yes, but will news networks play the footage?

If people don't see it, then it's like it never happened.

[RomneyLies]

8. They really don't give a shit about the American People OR their members

All they care about are the gun manufacturers and keeping politicians in line.

This will keep many politicians in line, just like the AFP and several other orgnaizaitons kept the Teabaggers in line and opposed to raising taxes on millionaires.

[get the red out]

9. The 47% moment

It may well have been the NRA's 47% moment.

[riverwalker]

10. I read a local LTE

mentioning that immediately after the shooting, the huge blaze orange signs of "Michelle Bachmann: NRA ENDORSED" were taken down along the highway.

[Turbineguy]

11. I don't see how they could have done anything else.

It's certain that they would not accept any responsibilty.

[spanone]

12. mr lapierre seems to think he is a part of our government. he's a paid lobbyists, nothing more.

he 'works' for the gun industry.

[randome]

13. It's possible LaPierre is afraid for his life.

I don't say that trying to promote a conspiracy theory but some of the hard-core gun advocates are already teetering on the edge, IMO.

[hatrack]

14. It wasn't even a press conference - there were no questions

That pretty much eliminates "press conference" as to just what this was.

It struck me as more like watching a mental patient trying to beat his head against the cell bars than a normal journalistic event . . .

[smirkymonkey]

15. K&R, Major fail by the NRA.

May they all rot in hell.

[etherealtruth]

16. I expected no less

Seriously, this is one massively deranged group... i did not expect them to be rational.

[byeya]

17. Wayne made the mistake of talking to the American people like he talks to gunsuckers. Now, maybe

for the first time, many people will see and hear what sociopathic dreck the NRA is.