It has been rumored for some time now that the NRA (National Rifle Association) will endorse Harry Reid in the Nevada Senate race against the conservative Sharron Angle. This is confusing to most because while Sharron Angle is a 100% Second Amendment supporter, Harry Reid pretends to be pro-gun but uses his position in the Senate to undermine the right to keep and bear arms.
While the NRA has gone out of their way to state that they have yet to endorse anyone in this race.
It is increasingly apparent that the Reid endorsement is coming. The August issue of the NRA magazines included a preemptive explanation for the unpopular recommendation titled Making Endorsements Count which regurgitates the NRA-PVF Endorsement Policy. They go on about being non-partisan and a single issue organization that is incumbent friendly.
The NRA-PVF is non-partisan in issuing its candidate grades and endorsements. We do not base our decisions on a candidate’s party affiliation, but rather on his or her record on Second Amendment issues. The NRA is a single-issue organization. The only issues on which we evaluate candidates seeking elected office are gun-related issues. While there are many issues a candidate must address with voters, and while voters evaluate a number of non-gun-related issues in factoring which candidate they will support or oppose, NRA-PVF’s sole criteria in issuing grades and endorsements is a candidate’s position on gun-related issues.
The problem is Harry Reid’s voting record on gun issues is not great. The Gun Owners of America has given him an F. Red State listed dozens of examples where he voted opposite of the wishes of the NRA. Erick Erickson also points out that the impending endorsement is payback for a $61 million earmark for a Clark County, Nevada shooting park and the NRA carve out in the Disclose Act. I also found another little nugget that Reid stuffed into in the same Health Care bill amendment that contained the famous Cornhusker kickback.
S Amendment 3276
-Specifies that health care coverage, premium rates, and any participation in health and wellness programs shall not be affected by an individual’s lawful ownership, use, or storage of firearms or ammunition, nor shall such data be collected on individuals (Sec. 10101).
The wisdom of endorsing such a candidate is debatable, Harry Reid is a powerful incumbent who has shown while not reliable, on occasion he can deliver a favorable vote, earmark, or carve out. What makes this coming endorsement so unforgivable is Senator Reid’s destructive and disastrous record on his leadership and votes to confirm radical anti-gun nominees and to vote no on pro 2nd amendment nominees. Harry Reid has voted yea on AG Eric Holder ( who supports banning many semi-automatic firearms), Justices Kagan, Sotamayor, Breyer, and Ginsburg all liberals with a predilection to limit or restrict gun rights while casting no votes on the pro Second Amendment Chief Justice Roberts, Justices Alito, and Thomas. The NRA needs to realize that it is futile to have endorse candidates who vote the “right way” on legislation only to confirm Justices who will strike down our Second Amendment Rights.
The NRA should not endorse Harry Reid and it is not enough for them to stay neutral. Chris Cox and Wayne LaPierre need to endorse Sharron Angle for Senate.
Disrupt the Narrative 