Left turn ahead

On: By: admin

With the economy in the tank and his disapproval rating at a new high of 55%, it seems increasingly unlikely that Obama will be re-elected next year.  Newsmax interviews some pollsters in their article, “Pollsters: Modern History Shows Obama Can’t Win in 2012.”  Some excerpts:

“The economy is so dismal that President Barack Obama will have to re-write the political history books if he hopes to win re-election, political strategists say … “His campaign will have to shift the issue,”  [Matt Towery, CEO of the nonpartisan InsiderAdvantage] tells Newsmax. “They’re going to have to find a way to make unemployment and the economy not the major issue …”  Towery envisions the following options for Obama … Move hard to the left and really push the class-warfare issue …”

It’s an obvious choice and while I do think Obama will go this way, I do not think it will include gun control as part of the strategy.  Regardless of his personal opinions on the issue, gun control groups like the Bradys, NYAGV, CSGV, etc. simply do not have the ability to affect Obama’s re-election chances.  They have no money, manpower or voting constituency to bring to the table.  Pandering to them won’t get him anything, but it will piss off people who might otherwise vote Democrat.  If/when the big Left turn comes I do expect much whining from the antis like they did earlier on in his presidency when it became apparent that Obama wasn’t much interested in advancing their big ticket items including Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine prohibition bill H.R. 308.

Reality bites

On: By: admin

After generating zero buzz in Republican circles, George Pataki announced that he is not running for president in ’12.

His announcement was immediately followed by the sound of crickets chirping.

Keeping manufacturers in New York

On: By: admin

Both Brian Kolb and Tom King were on yesterday’s NRANews talking about Kolb’s proposal to keep firearm manufactures in New York using the Regional Economic Development Councils initiative that Governor Cuomo announced recently.

Here is the press release Kolb’s office sent out.

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Maffei v. Buerkle rematch

On: By: admin

Former Congressman Dan Maffei has announced his intention to run again against the woman who defeated him, Ann Marie Buerkle.  I like this quote:

“… Some Onondaga County Democrats have said privately that they would prefer to see someone new challenge Buerkle next fall.  Maffei said he is aware of such “naysayers” and hopes to prove them wrong in the next 14 months … Maffei, who has three Ivy League degrees, said he is aware that some of his detractors say he has trouble relating to people.  “I know people, jokingly or not, say Dan Maffei is too smart or too cerebral,” he said. “I do have to work on communicating with people better.” …”

Actually, I think he’s been quite clear in communicating with his constituents.  He accepted campaign contributions from the Brady’s while Buerkle co-sponsors the CCW reciprocity bill HR-822.  If he’s so smart then why did he decide to get into bed with the antis for a measly $250 donation?  There is no way their endorsement was going to be beneficial to his re-election campaign.

Comic relief

On: By: admin

It would seem George Pataki is taking a much more serious look at running for President than I would have thought.  See PolitickerNY’s post, “Peeking at George Pataki’s Presidential Campaign Site.”

Why he’s considering jumping into the race I do not know.  My only guess is to provide comic relief during the ’12 election cycle.  That is the only explanation I can come up with as his beta website apparently contained a section called “Pataki’s Record.”  That is the last thing he would want to highlight in a campaign.

Replace Pataki with Giuliani

On: By: admin

There’s a good article (with an excellent headline) over at WNYC on why George Pataki will not be running for president, ““I really don’t know what he’s smoking”: Pataki presidential run rumors don’t add up.”  Some quotes:

“… to think, with his values, he would stand a chance in a Republican—in a right-wing Republican—primary, that is really ludicrous …”

“… Having to come to term with the labor unions, his spending record, his record on social issues, suggest it would be very hard to get nominated …”

“… I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Pataki, remember the good old days?’” …”

Contrast that with this nonsense from Fred Dicker, “GOP big pushes Giuliani for vice prez“.  Now go back to the first article and re-read it substituting “Rudy Giuliani” for “George Pataki” and see what you get.  Same article, right?

Gun ban for Kingston?

On: By: admin

Possible proposed gun ban in Kingston?  See “Turco-Levin Calls for Ban on Rifles, Shotguns, BB Guns and then Withdraws it.“

September elections voting guide

On: By: admin

The voting guide for the September 13 special elections and primary elections has been posted on the PVF website.

The most important of the bunch is the special election for AD-116  where we’re going with Greg Johnson.  Although the district does have a Democrat enrollment advantage, with low turnout we have a reasonable shot at pushing Johnson over the top.  A supportive ad will be running in the next issue of NY Outdoor News.

Perry v. Romney

On: By: admin

Now that Rick Perry has formally announced he’s running, the battle for the GOP presidential nomination comes down to either him or Mitt Romney.  I do not think Michele Bachmann has the gravitas to go the distance and will eventually drop out.  The other currently declared candidates are not going anywhere.  I don’t see Sarah Palin jumping in.  She seems to be setting herself up more as power broker than as a candidate.  Realistically then, who else is there?  Rudy Giuliani?  George Pataki?  Neither have any creditability.   That leaves Perry and Romney to duke it out.

From a RKBA standpoint, Perry is the easily the better choice.  He carries a gun himself and is not afraid to use it.

Perry is ideologically closer to the GOP base than Romney and would probably edge him out in a 2-way primary, but if Bachmann sticks around Romney could win the nomination with a plurality of the votes.  In the general election I don’t think it matters as much if it is Perry or Romney as Obama is heading towards a meltdown.

Picente v. Potocki

On: By: admin

Utica Uprising has a good piece on the Oneida County Executive’s race between incumbent Republican Anthony Picente and Conservative Rodger Potocki.  Along with outgoing Utica Mayor David Roefaro, Picente has been a cheerleader for MAIG’s gun control proposals in upstate.  It would have been nice if the Democrats put up a candidate because it will be very difficult for Potocki to defeat him only on a minor party line.