Loretta Lynch
Media Matters
Following Loretta Lynch's historic confirmation as U.S. Attorney General, media have been silent about the implications for the National Rifle Association losing in a second consecutive high-profile nomination fight.
On April 23, Lynch was confirmed in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 56 to 43 following a protracted effort by many Republicans in the Senate to stall or sink her confirmation. She will be the first African-American female attorney general in United States history.
A Media Matters review of major U.S. newspapers and television transcripts in Nexis and internal video archives following her confirmation did not identify any instance where the NRA was discussed in relation to Lynch.
But Lynch's confirmation provides more evidence that the NRA does not win every time. According to a tired -- and incorrect -- media narrative, the NRA is always successful in its federal lobbying efforts and also has the ability to punish legislators who refuse to support the gun group's agenda. Research on election outcomes has long-indicated, however, that the NRA in fact has little effect on politicians' Election Day results through endorsements or campaign spending.
Now the failure of the NRA to stop the confirmation of two high-profile Obama nominees -- Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in December 2014 and now Lynch -- offers evidence that the NRA also does not always get its way in Congress
"But Lynch's confirmation provides more evidence that the NRA does not win every time. According to a tired -- and incorrect -- media narrative, the NRA is always successful in its federal lobbying efforts and also has the ability to punish legislators who refuse to support the gun group's agenda. Research on election outcomes has long-indicated, however, that the NRA in fact has little effect on politicians' Election Day results through endorsements or campaign spending."
ReplyDeleteAn interesting article Mike. It seems like contrary to the beliefs of gun control advocates, the evil NRA mind control waves aren't affecting congress-critters as often claimed. Rather, it actually has more to do with what the voters say to their elected representatives.
However, I've noticed that the rhetoric seems to change depending on whether the gun control industry wins or not. Not very unlike the evil gun lobby. In this case, the NRA's oppressive control over elected officials has failed, further demonstrating that it isn't all powerful. In fact the article suggests that it hasn't been terribly powerful for quite a while, if at all,
"The conclusion to be drawn from these data will be surprising to many: The NRA has virtually no impact on congressional elections. The NRA endorsement, so coveted by so many politicians, is almost meaningless. Nor does the money the organization spends have any demonstrable impact on the outcome of races. In short, when it comes to elections, the NRA is a paper tiger."
This would suggest that the NRA is being cast as the villain to dodge the reality of gun control legislation failing to be passed because the voters either don't want it, or don't care enough to contact their legislators to tell them how they should vote to properly represent them.
Elected officials listen to the voters because they have the final say as to whether they keep their jobs, or not. For example, this afternoon, my state Senator will be holding a town hall meeting here to discuss issues important to his constituents and to get feedback on his performance during this legislative session.
I will be there to thank him for his votes supporting legislation strengthening gun rights that I've mentioned here before. I'll let you know if I see any MOMs or Everytown folk there.
"the voters either don't want it, or don't care enough to contact their legislators to tell them how they should vote to properly represent them."
DeleteYes, apathy is the enemy of the gun control movemen.
FTA: "But Lynch's confirmation provides more evidence that the NRA does not win every time. According to a tired -- and incorrect -- media narrative, the NRA is always successful..."
ReplyDelete____________________________________
The belief they do is the cause of the confusion and dissonance felt by those that impotently shake their fist at the sky at that which they don't understand.
Let's do the math. There are now well over 80,000,000 owners of personal firearms in America. They are in possession of now well over 300,000,000 firearms. The NRA has what...maybe...5M members?
That means there are 75+ Million gunowners that have nothing to do with the NRA. These people span all political affiliations, as well as all racial and gender demographics. They are hardly all 'wascally-wepubwiccans". There are 10's of millions of Democrat gun owners. This means that they dwarf the NRA in what , in the end, really counts...actual votes.
So the real reason we have, or don't have, the laws a person believes we should or shouldn't have, remember this...
Yes the NRA has influence and although they'll 'buy lunch or pick up the greens fees one in a while', these 76M+ gun owners are known to their legislators because they communicate, a lot, and more importantly they do the one thing the NRA does not do...they actually vote.
And the Bradys lose 280,000
ReplyDeleteBwahahahahahahahahhahhahahahhahahahhaha!!!!!!
http://mikeb302000.blogspot.com/2015/04/another-loss-for-nra-loretta-lynch-us.html#comment-form
I don't get it. What's the 280,000?
DeleteI think Thomas is referring to the Aurora shooting being dismissed and the plaintiffs are now on the hook for the legal fees of the defendants.
Delete"A federal judge ordered the parents of a Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting victim to pay court costs and attorney fees as a result of a lawsuit filed last year, and the defendants in the case say the family owes around a quarter of a million dollars."
"BulkAmmo.com, more commonly known as Lucky Gunner, requested $151,574.70 in attorney and travel fees. And Sportsman Guide requested $73,037.87 on similar expenses.
Brian Platt, owner of BTP Arms, an online retailer that sold the gunman tear gas, has also requested $23,714.99 for attorney fees and $33,569.89 in relief.
The other defendant named in the suit, Gold Strike E Commerce LLC, an online retailer that sells body armor, has yet to file a motion.
The lawsuit was part a larger effort by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence to expose unscrupulous gun dealers that ignore obvious warning signs and sell to customers with malicious intentions."
http://www.guns.com/2015/04/23/aurora-theater-victims-family-may-owe-280000-in-lucky-gunner-lawsuit/
Turns out the grieving parents were board members on the Brady Campaign, now I find myself not caring if they go bankrupt.
ReplyDeleteI find myself giddy with joy at the prospect.
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