Bachman pandering for votes

Some pandering for the gun vote by Michele Bachmann:

“… The U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights includes a Second Amendment which says Americans have the right to “keep and bear arms.” Bachmann told the man and the rest of the crowd in Mount Pleasant that she has earned an A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association … Bachmann grew laughter and applause with this admission: “My favorite gun is the AR15 and I’m a really good shot.” …”

While I don’t doubt her pro-gun record, I am dubious of her statement that the AR15 is her favorite.  It’s great to have presidential candidates supportive of gun rights and black guns, but incumbents should let their records speak for themselves and not do things which could be interpreted by voters as sucking up.

McCarthy really worried

Carolyn McCarthy must really be worried about have her district redistricted out of existence.  She just sent out her 3rd e-mail seeking donations based upon that and her fears that the “Tea Party Gun Lobby” will take over her seat:

“… the Tea Party and the NRA are going to look for any sign of weakness in our campaign so that they can run some Far-Right candidate who will live in their back pocket … If we can show our strength now, we can stop the NRA’s attacks before they start … Please contribute right this minute to make sure the Tea Party and the NRA know they can’t steal this seat …”

What she is really concerned about is her district being redrawn in such a way that she has to face either either Pete King or Gary Ackerman next year.  Unlike the cannon fodder candidates she’s had in the past both are professional politicians who will put up a serious fight against her and make an issue out her being nothing more than an ineffective, single issue (gun control) candidate.

Perry on judicial candidates

Rick Perry says he’ll only appoint pro-gun candidates to SCOTUS:

“… “I happen to believe it’s our constitutional right and I will put Americans on the Supreme Court who will understand the strict construction that says Americans have the right to bear arms …” …”

It’s nice that he’s courting the pro-gun vote, but his campaign clearly isn’t taking off.  The latest Iowa polls put Mitt Romney on top with Perry in 4th place.

Symbolism over substance

The Brady’s unveiled a “new” initiative focused on “gun victims”:

This is just stupid. I can’t see this as having any positive political affect for them. It is as if they’ve given up on advancing a legislative agenda and are having a pity party for themselves.

They just don’t matter

In an attempt to seem relevant, Manhattan D.A. Cyrus Vance spoke before the Clown Council yesterday to denounce H.R. 822.  Not surprisingly, all Councilmembers in attendance agreed with him, except for Dan Halloran who did a respectable job defending the RKBA.

Here is a WNYC  news report on the hearing:

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From a political standpoint, I don’t see this grandstanding on the part of Vance, the Clown Council or Mayor Bloomberg as having any effect in derailing H.R. 822.

Dan Halloran

Online gun sales

I have been told Mayor Bloomberg has scheduled a press conference today at 1:00pm to rail about his latest antigun bugaboo: online gun sales.

UPDATE: Yep.  It’s online gun sales.  See ABC News, “New York Probe Finds 62 Percent of Private Gun Sellers Sell to Prohibited Individuals.

UPDATE 2: Bloomberg’s press release.

UPDATE 3: MAIG press release.

Maybe, maybe not

This is just dumb:

“As Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich campaigned in New Hampshire today, the National Association for Gun Rights sent out robo-calls in New Hampshire accusing the former House speaker of being “anti-gun.”  The calls say Gingrich has not returned the organization’s survey, adding, “Maybe it’s because of his past support for gun control.” …”

Maybe.  Maybe it’s because he doesn’t believe NAGR has any creditability and just does not take them seriously.  Given they have a proven history of opposing pro-gun legislation, I believe it is the later.

No confidence in Eric Holder

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar has submitted a resolution of no confidence in A.G. Eric Holder over his handling of the “Fast and Furious” scandal.  Rep. Michael Grimm is the only area co-sponsor so far.

It won’t help one bit

Councilwoman Inez Dickens has pre-filed a resolution in support of Sen. Gillibrand’s bill S-1973, the so-called “Gun Trafficking Prevention Act”, which I believe would make private firearms transfers illegal.  The text of S-1973 is not available yet.

Dickens’ resolution isn’t going to help get S-1973 passed.  It’s just the Clown Council making noise. It is on the Public Safety Committee’s agenda for the 19th.