National Rifle Association President David Keene
CNN reports
National Rifle Association President David Keene
signaled Thursday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat who
has enjoyed the powerful gun lobby's support in the past, could prove
pivotal in the heated debate over gun control.
Reid has found himself in a delicate position as he tries to navigate
the desires of many members of his pro-gun rights Nevada constituency
and the White House and members of his caucus' intensified push over gun
control. As Senate majority leader, Reid has great influence to speed
or slow the consideration of legislation on Capitol Hill.
"He's under incredible pressure right now because he's got, as any
member of Congress or senator does, he's got his own beliefs. He's got
the views and the demands of his constituents on the one hand and the
pressure he faces from party leaders and his president on the other,"
Keene told journalists at a Christian Science Monitor sponsored
breakfast Thursday. "So where Harry Reid ends up in this debate is
anybody's guess and I think that's one of the guessing games that's
going on around Washington now."
Reid has twice opposed the assault weapons ban back in 1992 and 2004,
has a B rating by the NRA for his pro-gun rights voting record and
since 2008 has received just shy of $8,450 from several gun lobbies
according to an analysis of campaign contributions from the Center for
Responsive Politics.
It doesn't seem to me that $8,000 in contributions should be a deciding factor. Perhaps Reid is a true believer - many from Nevada are.
What do you think? Please leave a comment.
