Romney or …

On: By: admin

A good analysis on Mitt Romney’s campaign over at Warning Signs blog, “If Not Romney, Who?”

One thing I don’t agree with is this:

“… Whether it’s been about abortion and choice, stem cell research, gun control, immigration, or taxes, Romney has been on one side of the issue or the other over the years. What is called “flip-flopping” can also been seen as a process of growth, of examining his positions on these issues and—yes—changing them …”

While this argument might have some degree of validity, with respect to gun control, it is far more plausible that Romney recognizes being seen as pro-gun, or at least not antigun, is more politically advantageous to him than being viewed as antigun.

Obama has been doing pretty much the same thing, and actually doing a much better job at it than Romney.  Romney’s going to NRA meetings is much like John Kerry going duck hunting: not believable.  Stuff like that insults peoples intelligence and pisses them off.  Obama has largely avoided the issue in public.  Given his past record, being quiet about it is his best option.  Romney should do the same.

Microstamping a “minorities” issue?

On: By: admin

The New York Times is trying to make supporting microstamping a “minority issue”:

“… Over the last several weeks, the governor has been lavishing attention on minority communities amid signs that some were growing impatient with what they perceived as a lack of attention to their concerns … Many minority lawmakers are looking toward the next legislative session, which begins in January, as they seek to enlist Mr. Cuomo’s support on a range of issues.  For example, State Senator José R. Peralta, a Queens Democrat, wants Mr. Cuomo to promote legislation that would require microstamping, a form of ballistics identification, on all new semiautomatic handguns …”

What crap.  Microstamping is not a concern in “minority communities.”  It’s not a concern in “majority communities” either.  It is a concern to the lunatic fringe at New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.  The only people pushing micristamping in Albany are Michelle Schimel and the patent holder of the sole source technology (which does not even work as advertised.)

Bachmann hits rivals on flip-flops

On: By: admin

Michele Bachmann has a new website which goes after her Republican rivals for their policy flip-flips: NoSuprises2012.com.

Mitt Romney and the NRA are mentioned at 0:48 in this ad.

House vote Tuesday

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The House vote on H.R.  822 is set for Tuesday the 15th.  NRA has a form on their website where people can e-mail their Congressman.

House vote on H.R. 822 soon

On: By: admin

Media reports indicate that the House will vote on H.R. 822 sometime next week.

Carolyn McCarthy and Frank Lautenberg sent a letter to Obama urging him to veto the bill.  Why would they need to do that if, as Chuck Schumer said, the Senate will block it?  I believe reality is starting to set in for the antis and they realize they don’t have the numbers anymore to filibuster it.

Bloomberg wins and loses at the same time

On: By: admin

As a follow up to Mayor Mike’s involvement in Virigina State Senate races, it appears that even though his chosen six candidates all won, the GOP is poised to take control of the upper house anyway.  According to the Daily News:

“… Concerned about the Democrats’ slim 22-18 margin in the Virginia Senate before Tuesday’s election, Bloomberg donated $25,000 apiece to six candidates who largely share his anti-gun views.  All six won.  But the Republicans flipped one seat in southern Virginia and appear set to take another — barring a recount … There are 10 gun bills that have passed the GOP-controlled General Assembly and now could also pass the Senate, including one that would repeal Virginia’s current mandate that a person can only buy one gun a month …”

Dave Adams writes about the political implications on the VSSA blog.

 

Election aftermath

On: By: admin

The following NYSRPA-PVF endorsed candidates appear to have won their races:

  • 148th Assembly District, Ray Walter
  • 4th Judicial District, Ann Crowell
  • 9th Judicial District, Robert DiBella
  • Albany County Sheriff, Craig Apple
  • Columbia County District Attorney, Paul Czajka
  • Nassau County Legislature 18th District, Robert Germino won by 37 votes, defeating an antigun incumbent.
  • Putnam County Executive, MaryEllen Odell
  • Rockland County Sheriff, Louis Falco
  • Rockland County Legislature 5th District, Ed Day
  • Westchester County Legislature 1st District, John Testa
  • Westchester County Legislature 3rd District, John Nonna won by 2 votes
  • Westchester County Legislature 11th District, James Maisano
  • Westchester County Legislature 15th District, Gordon Burrows

Campaigns against members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns:

  • We clearly defeated incumbent Beacon Mayor Steven Gold.
  • We came up a little short in Poughkeepsie with incumbent John Tkazyik who is ahead by 122 votes, 51.26% over his challenger who has not conceded.
  • We came even closer in Amsterdam with incumbent Ann Thane winning by 55 votes, 50.87%.

Bonus: Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who joined the MAIG spin-off County Executives Against Illegal Guns, imploded and lost to Mark Poloncarz 47-53%.

Brown comes out against H.R. 822

On: By: admin

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown has come out against H.R. 822 in a letter to Mayor “Mumbles” Menino.

This isn’t a surprise.  I wasn’t expecting him to vote in favor of the bill.  His declared No vote isn’t likely to be enough to derail the bill in the Senate either.  Both the antis and their media supporters continue to ignore the ’10 elections where a bunch of their allies lost.  There should still be 60+ votes which is enough to prevent a filibuster when it comes to the floor.

Pushback on Bloomberg’s bucks

On: By: admin

It seems that not everyone in Indianapolis is pleased with Mayor Mike getting involved with their local elections:

“… Kennedy has also chastised Ballard for his refusal (thank goodness) to join New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.  This is a small (and growing smaller) group of liberal mayors across the United States who are trying to rescind the Second Amendment rights of citizens to own firearms and use them to protect themselves and their families from criminals.  Their agenda would take guns away from law-abiding citizens, but realistically would have no impact on criminals with guns …”

Good letter.  However, it won’t discourage Bloomberg from giving or supporters like Kennedy from taking campaign donations.  Only political action from NRA, ISRPA and VSSA targeting the recipients of Bloomberg’s bucks will do that.

On a positive note, Kennedy is down in the polls so Bloomberg’s donation is probably too little, too late.

More Bloomberg bucks

On: By: admin

Mayor Mike is spreading some money around in Indianapolis as well as Virginia:

“Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy received a $25,000 contribution Thursday from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “I am very pleased to receive the support of Mayor Bloomberg,” said Kennedy. “Mayor Bloomberg started Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns, a bi-partisan group of mayors across the nation who are working together to get illegal guns out of the hands of criminals. I am willing to take a stance on this tough issue with a reasonable approach that 600 other mayors support as well. Mayor Ballard’s refusal to sign on with this nationwide bi-partisan group of Mayors to go after illegal guns in the hands of criminals is disappointing.”” …