ABC is planning to air an interview tonight with Newt Gingrich’s 2nd wife where she basically says his public positions on “family values” do not square with his private behavior. I think this is the least of Gingrich’s problems. The campaign may be able to dismiss an ex-wife’s statements as a private matter, but they cannot as easily blow off Gingrich’s behavior on the campaign trail. Ever since losing the Iowa caucus he’s come across as mean and arrogant. Regardless of his positions on the issues he’s a big turnoff.
Perry out
Rick Perry is going to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Newt Gingrich.
Good riddance. He’s been a total disappointment.
Cuomo calls for eliminating CoBIS
Gov. Cuomo’s proposed budget calls for eliminating CoBIS. Inside the Briefing Booklet (available here), on page 80 under Public Protection and General Government:
Repeal the requirement for a pistol and revolver ballistic identification database, known as CoBIS and replace with a nationally recognized alternative.
It is unclear what alternative he’s referring to. I suspect it’s NIBIN, but we’ll have to wait for the budget bills to be introduced to see what exactly it is.
Romney should avoid the issue
Mitt Romney was asked about guns at yesterday’s GOP debate. His response:
“… I know that there are people who think that we need to new laws, we need to find new ways to restrict gun ownership … I disagree with that. I believe we have in place all the laws we need. We should enforce those laws. I do not believe in new laws restricting gun ownership and gun use …”
This doesn’t inspire much confidence. Given Romney’s lukewarm reception at NRA meetings, he has to know he’s not 2A advocates favorite candidate, but he has to come up with some answer to the question so we get this. He should avoid the issue as much as possible as he won’t make any new friends talking about it.
Huntsman out
Jon Huntsman is dropping out of the presidential race and throwing his support to Mitt Romney. Given he was the only GOP candidate not to generate any sort of anti-Romney buzz this isn’t surprising. The latest poll shows Romney with a substantial lead over his remaining rivals in South Carolina.
Newt Gingrich intends to attack Romney on gun rights in the state. I don’t see this working as Gingrich doesn’t have the money or organization behind his campaign to make him appear as a viable alternative to Romney. He may be right when he said, “I think the only way that a Massachusetts moderate can get through South Carolina is if the vote is split“, but that does not change the fact that Romney is the only candidate who seems to have his act together.
Brian Kolb on reciprocity, activism
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb was on NRA News yesterday with Ginny Simone talking about the gun control martyrs, pistol license reciprocity and the 3rd Annual Legislative Awareness Day coming in March.
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Bloomberg’s State of the City address
Very little about guns in Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City Address today:
“… Our city just cannot afford to wait for Washington. Not when it comes to illegal guns, not when it comes to climate change, not when it comes to creating jobs and not when it comes to raising the minimum wage …”
“… And we will not deny the demands that every New Yorker has for safe streets free from the plague of gun violence and strong neighborhoods full of energy and life …”
I was expecting much more. Perhaps he decided to keep it low key given all the bad press New York gun law has gotten recently.
Martyr update
The Post reports on a possible plea deal for Meredith Graves:
“The Manhattan DA is trying to work out a plea deal for the Tennessee tourist who accidentally brought an out-of-state-registered handgun to the 9/11 Memorial and was arrested when she tried to check it with a cop, The Post has learned. Meredith Graves, 39, faces a mandatory 3 1/2 to 15 years for the Dec. 22 blunder if convicted at trial, but could walk away with a no-jail deal, sources said. Both sides are “hoping to resolve this quietly,” said a source …”
Cy Vance must be getting a lot of political pressure to make the case go away. He ought to drop the case entirely. That would actually help bolster the antis assertion that they are only after bad guys. If the case is dismissed, it won’t stop the momentum behind H.R. 822. That has been building for a long time.
Meanwhile, Shelly Silver has not made good on his promise to have a committee examine our gun laws and their enforcement. He did, however, make sure the microstamping bill was promptly advanced to 3rd Reading right after the legislature reconvened for the ’12 session.
Bradley’s bucks
Disgraced Mayors Against Illegal Guns partner Adam Bradley is in the news again:
“Adam Bradley, the former White Plains mayor and Democratic assemblyman, has spent $4,918 from his former campaign account on legal bills stemming from his conviction the attempted assault of his wife … Bradley was again arrested this past November after allegedly violating an order of protection. According to the filing on the Board of Elections website, Bradley used the money just after he was arrested on that charge. He’s taking advantage of a loophole in the state’s campaign finance laws that allow even ex-office holders to spend their money in a variety of ways, including legal bills, restaurant tabs and other perks …”
Fundraiser for Owens
NRA is hosting a fundraiser next month for Rep. Bill Owens featuring the “latest in laser shooting technology”. Only $500 per person.
H/T: Politico.