Endorsing an idiot

Eric Schneiderman was on the campaign trail in Rochester yesterday and tried to link the Buffalo shootings with his microstamping proposal.  Sure, he left out the part about the shootings being gang-related, but not to worry because according to the D&C:

“… He said he favored gun owners’ rights, but said he would crack down on rogue gun dealers …”

The Albany Times Union is impressed with his performance and gave him their endorsement:

“In a crowded Democratic field this year, one candidate clearly stands out: Eric Schneiderman … he has been an eloquent, progressive voice, speaking out for reform, sensible gun control, marriage equality and equal protection for all New Yorkers …”

The Gotham Gazette thinks this endorsement is really helpful:

“… It has been said that Schneiderman is relying heavily on votes from minorities in the city but the Times Union endorsement should solidify him as a force upstate …”

Perhaps they should have checked how the locals reacted because the Niagara Falls Reporter also thinks he clearly stands out:

“There’s an idiot named Eric Schneiderman running in the race for state Attorney General this fall. He thinks the reason there’s so much gun violence in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and New York City is that the state’s gun laws aren’t strong enough … There’s a good case to be made that if there had been one man or woman in the City Grill that night who legally had a handgun and was practiced in its use, McCray could have been dispatched before he had a chance to slaughter five people. Guys like Schneiderman will never understand this …”

Lazio’s problems in a nutshell

Candidate ratings and endorsements for the primary are out.  The quality of top ticket candidates is quite low so we’re going to go with Carl Paladino.

This Times Union story has the response from Rick Lazio’s campaign:

“… Also this week, he was endorsed by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, which in its opening sentence lauded him as “the only credible candidate running on a major party line with any respect for our civil rights.”  Lazio’s campaign begs to differ, and will continue its strategy of ignoring Paladino and focusing on Cuomo …”

So basically, fuck you.

This is the same response Lazio’s campaign has given to everybody who has raised a red flag either because of his stance on the issues or about how he’s run his campaign so far.  Lazio has been doing this despite the fact he’s been failing in the polls and suffering defections by county committees.  This is why, even if he makes it through the primary, he’s going to end up losing.  It is the sort of thing that will piss people off and make them vote against him even when they don’t like the alternative.

But you lost

“… they want o know that someone will stand up to the gun lobby.  I’m proud to have been endorsed by New Yorkers Against Gun Violence …”

Yes, but Eric, you lost. That’s why your microstamping bill didn’t make it through the legislature.

NYPD proposed rule changes for firearms licenses

The NYPD has proposed rule changes for how firearms licenses are issued and they are accepting public comment on them.  No doubt this is in response to the Heller & McDonald decisions.

Dinallo won’t back down to the NRA

At 0:12, “… we know he won’t back down to Albany or the NRA …”

Unimpressive outreach

The state GOP is making a somewhat lame effort to reach out to gun owners.  Under Get Involved you can sign up for their mailing lists and chose Second Amendment as an hot button issue.  The state Democrats have a similar sign up area, but do not ask about issues.

This would be a more impressive outreach if the GOP actually tried doing something substantiative, like running pro-gun candidates.

Thrown under the bus

Michelle Schimel tosses fellow microstamping sponsor Eric Schneiderman under the bus and endorses opponent Kathleen Rice.  The Observer reports:

“… The Rice campaign is expected to announce the endorsement of Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, who, along with Schneiderman, led the charge to pass a firearm microstamping bill in Albany earlier this year … When asked how she would explain what appears to be a slight at Schneiderman, Schimel said, “I don’t have to explain it. My relationship with her is deeper and longer and that’s just how I base my judgment. And she is a prosecutor too, and assertive, and that’s how I’m pitching it…I certainly don’t want to denigrate Eric. That’s not the goal of this.” …”

Maybe so, but that’s how a lot of people will perceive it.

It’s good when the antis start eating their own.

Turnout is key

The Journal News on the Democrat AG race, “5 Democrats face rough battle in attorney general primary“:

“… It’s difficult to name a clear frontrunner, political analysts say. With five candidates and an expected low voter turnout, the margin of victory will likely be small in a state with about 5.8 million registered Democrats and 2.7 million Republicans … “This is a very difficult race to predict,” said Steven Greenberg, spokesman for the Siena College Polling Institute. “You could win this race with 200,000 to 250,000 votes out of about 5.5 million Democrats.” …”

Gunnies turning out to vote is key in this race.  Victory is anyone but Eric Schneiderman winning.

“… Elected to the state Senate in 1998, Schneiderman, 55, has championed what he deems a progressive Democratic agenda, including alternative-to-incarceration programs and tougher gun laws …”

Optimism

The Democrat Party is imploding thanks to Chairman Zero’s leadership with a backlash expected against Democrat candidates across the board.  CNN reports on “Democrats in fight to hold onto House seats in November.”  Of note:

“… Ticking through many of the competitive races across the country, [California Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy] predicted even more seats currently leaning Democratic — like Rep. David Wu’s in Oregon and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy’s in New York — will begin shifting toward the Republican column …”

Getting rid of McCarthy would be a blessing, but I don’t think we’re there yet.

MP2 submachine gun

International Ordnance MP2 9×19 submachine gun.

Looks like it was made in someone’s basement.