Cronyism and corruption

On: By: admin

News from the Garden State, “Schumer bro-in-law judge nod stuns NJ“:

“Sen. Charles Schumer’s brother-in-law was quietly nominated this month to a federal judgeship in New Jersey — a move that has some in the Garden State crying political foul, The Post has learned …”

Why is that?

“… [Kevin] McNulty, 57, was the last-minute choice of [Sen. Frank] Lautenberg, who had been leaning toward other candidates until surprisingly submitting McNulty’s name to the White House …”

Sounds suspicious.

“.. People involved in the judicial-nomination process in New Jersey told The Post they believe the surprise nomination was a naked political maneuver by the 87-year-old Lautenberg to stay in Schumer’s good graces. Lautenberg is worried that party elders will try to push him out of his beloved Senate seat because of his advanced age …”

Lautenberg has one foot in the ground right now and there’s nothing Schumer can do about that.  The only good thing about keeping him around is that he’s well past his expiration date and simply doesn’t have the energy to push an agenda anymore, like trying to derail H.R. 822.

Time to cull the heard

On: By: admin

Both Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich failed to gather enough signatures to be on the March 6 primary ballot in Virginia.  Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum also didn’t make the cut.

This is pathetic.  They only had to obtain 10,000 signatures statewide.  That they were unable to do so demonstrates a clear lack of organization and of grassroots GOP support for their candidacies.  It’s time for some of these people to recognize they don’t have what it takes to become president and drop out.

Bachman pandering for votes

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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.