World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Mailing List
________________________________________
Note: If there are some of you who do not believe that the NRA is the media's
favorite target, consider these two stories which appeared this morning in
the Washington Post and the New York Times. The Times story almost copies
the Gore press release for its headline.
______________________________________________________________________
Democrats Point to NRA Role in GOP Fund-Raiser
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 26, 2000; 1:02 PM
Democrats are seizing on the involvement of the National Rifle Association in
tonight's Republican gala in an effort to rain on the biggest political
fund-raiser in history.
The Republicans' black-tie gala, which is to raise more than $15 million and
feature remarks by Texas Gov. George W. Bush, will be held in the D.C.
Armory, next to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Wayne R. LaPierre Jr., executive vice president of the National Rifle
Association, is one of 45 gala co-chairmen – a group of individuals, couples
and companies who donated or raised at least $250,000 for the event.
The Democratic National Committee issued a statement today noting that the
Republican gala will be adjacent to "the stadium named for another revered
victim of gun violence." Robert F. Kennedy, attorney general and brother of
former President John Kennedy, was fatally shot in 1968 after winning the
California Democratic presidential primary.
This afternoon, Democrats planned to hold a news conference in front of RFK,
featuring gun violence victims, ministers, labor executives and District of
Columbia officials.
Joe Andrew, the DNC's national chair, extended the criticism from the party
to Bush, the Republicans' presumptive presidential nominee.
"Bush stood literally shoulder to shoulder with the NRA as he signed the
concealed weapons bill," Andrew said in prepared remarks. "Two years later,
Bush signed another law allowing people to carry their hidden handguns into
churches and synagogues, amusement parks and nursing homes."
"I think most Americans agree that you should not be packing heat when you
enter a pew. And there's not room for six-shooters at Six Flags," Andrew
added.
Chris Paulitz, a Republican National Committee spokesman, called the
Democratic criticism "a blatant, disgusting attempt to politicize a tragedy."
"This is the Democrats' and Al Gore's way of covering up their reluctance to
prosecute any criminal, either adults or children, who use guns during
crimes," Paulitz said.
At the gala, Republicans will dine on creamy goat cheese medallion, grilled
tenderloin medallion, horseradish crusted filet of red snapper, roasted
garlic broccolini, glazed root vegetables, orange meringue mirror, orange
segments and fresh berries, demitasse, and micro chocolates and tiny
biscotti. KC and the Sunshine Band will perform, and attendees will receive
gift bags that include souvenir T-shirts.
Democrats will hold their own fund-raising extravaganza on May 24 at MCI
Center and hope to break the Republicans' record tally. Republicans'
optimistic projections call for an $18 million haul, and top Democrats
privately hope to raise $20 million.
In his remarks tonight, at what amounts to his coming-out party in the
nation's capital, Bush plans to focus on changing the tone in Washington,
according to a campaign official.
"He is going to underscore the need for Republicans and Democrats to work
together to achieve results, as opposed to the constant bickering that we see
so much in Washington," the official said.
To set the bipartisan tone for tonight, Bush met privately at a Washington
hotel this morning with Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) to discuss Social Security.
Vice President Gore's campaign issued a statement today headlined, "NRA
Tightens Its Embrace of George W. Bush."
"So much for George W. Bush's moderate makeover," said Chris Lehane, the
campaign press secretary. "He has rushed from the warm embrace of Bob Jones
and straight into the arms of the NRA."
(Emphasis added)
© 2000 The Washington Post Company
_____________________________________________________________________
April 26, 2000
The New York Times
N.R.A. Tightens Its Embrace of Republicans With Donations
By JAMES DAO
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Under sharp attack in the courts and in Congress, the
National Rifle Association is embracing the Republican Party more firmly, and
openly, than ever through campaign contributions, speeches and its
direct-mail operation.
On Wednesday night, Wayne LaPierre, the N.R.A.'s executive vice president,
will serve as a co-chairman for a black-tie event in Washington saluting Gov.
George W. Bush of Texas, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The
gala is expected to collect more than $18 million for the party, a record
amount, with Mr. LaPierre pledging to raise at least $250,000 of that.
"There is no question that the Republican Party respects the rights of
Americans under the Second Amendment more than the Democratic Party does,"
said Mike Collins, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.
But the event is just the most recent example of the powerful gun group's
efforts to promote the Republican Party and Mr. Bush in ways that have often
gone beyond its support for Republicans in the past.
Since last fall, for instance, the group, which has more than 3 million
members, has been sending out a fund-raising letter drawing sharp contrasts
between Mr. Bush and Vice President Al Gore, the likely Democratic candidate.
The letter, which encourages people to join the N.R.A., praises Mr. Bush for
having signed legislation allowing Texans to carry concealed weapons and
prohibiting municipalities from filing lawsuits against gun makers. Mr. Gore,
the letter asserts, would "make it harder and harder for people like you to
own firearms."
"You can help encourage George Bush to continue his strong stance in favor of
your Second Amendment Rights," says the letter signed by Mr. LaPierre. "You
can encourage Al Gore to face up to the fact that what American voters really
want is crime control, not gun control."
The group's top leadership has also been warmly praising Mr. Bush in public.
Last month, Charlton Heston, the group's president, enthusiastically said
"Yes" when asked whether he thought Mr. Bush would be "a friend" to the
N.R.A. if elected.
The gun group has also significantly increased its contributions to the
Republican Party. In the last year, it has donated more than $540,000 in
so-called soft money to Republican Party committees, while giving nothing in
soft money, or unregulated donations, to the Democrats.
That increase represents a shift in strategy for the group in several ways.
First, the N.R.A. has historically tended to support candidates either by
giving money to them directly, rather than to the parties, or by financing
independent advertising campaigns. Second, while the group has in the past
supported more Republicans than Democrats, its approach had seemed less
openly partisan than this year.
Third, gun control advocates contend that the group's cheerleading for Mr.
Bush represents its most enthusiastic support for a presidential candidate
since it put Ronald Reagan on the cover of its magazine in the 1980's.
Bill Powers, an N.R.A. spokesman, referred questions about the group's
efforts on behalf of Mr. Bush and the Republicans to Mr. LaPierre, who did
not return calls for comment.
Republican Party officials tried to play down Mr. LaPierre's role in the
fund-raiser, saying that he is just one of more than 40 co-chairmen for the
event. But they did not deny that the gun group was playing a more aggressive
role in supporting the party this year.
"The National Rifle Association has many members across America in both
parties who support the right to bear arms and their voices also count," said
Ari Fleischer, a spokesman for Mr. Bush. "Governor Bush is proud to have the
support of members of the National Rifle Association."
But Democrats were gleeful about Mr. LaPierre's involvement in the Republican
fund-raiser, arguing that it showed the party, and Mr. Bush, to be firmly in
the clutches of a group they say is out of touch with the political
mainstream.
"Every time the N.R.A. has called, Bush has answered," said Jenny Backus, a
spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee. "They are giddy at the
prospects of a Bush presidency."
Both its critics and its allies say the gun group's more vigorous efforts on
behalf of the Republicans are meant to draw the party closer at a time when
many Democrats, including Mr. Gore, are aggressively pushing for stringent
restrictions on gun owners, and when many cities are suing gun makers for the
damages caused by gun violence.
"The Democratic Party has made guns a litmus test for its members and its
candidates, so the N.R.A. is responding," said Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a Bellevue, Wa.,
group that lobbies against gun control.
In particular, N.R.A. leaders appear to be concerned about the Republicans
losing control of Congress. A switch of just six seats would give the
Democrats control of the House, where the Republican leadership has
consistently blocked gun-control legislation in recent years.
The gun group's efforts also come at a time when some moderate Republicans
have sought to distance themselves from the group by advocating modest
gun-control measures, such as mandatory trigger locks. Even Mr. Bush, who has
been considered a reliable ally of the group, criticized Mr. LaPierre last
month for having "gone too far" by asserting that President Clinton had
purposely tolerated a certain level of gun violence to keep the issue alive
for Democratic candidates.
By supporting Mr. Bush early, many gun-control advocates say, the N.R.A.
seems to be putting the governor on notice that gun owners expect him to
remain a staunch ally.
------------------
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!
________________________________________
Note: If there are some of you who do not believe that the NRA is the media's
favorite target, consider these two stories which appeared this morning in
the Washington Post and the New York Times. The Times story almost copies
the Gore press release for its headline.
______________________________________________________________________
Democrats Point to NRA Role in GOP Fund-Raiser
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 26, 2000; 1:02 PM
Democrats are seizing on the involvement of the National Rifle Association in
tonight's Republican gala in an effort to rain on the biggest political
fund-raiser in history.
The Republicans' black-tie gala, which is to raise more than $15 million and
feature remarks by Texas Gov. George W. Bush, will be held in the D.C.
Armory, next to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Wayne R. LaPierre Jr., executive vice president of the National Rifle
Association, is one of 45 gala co-chairmen – a group of individuals, couples
and companies who donated or raised at least $250,000 for the event.
The Democratic National Committee issued a statement today noting that the
Republican gala will be adjacent to "the stadium named for another revered
victim of gun violence." Robert F. Kennedy, attorney general and brother of
former President John Kennedy, was fatally shot in 1968 after winning the
California Democratic presidential primary.
This afternoon, Democrats planned to hold a news conference in front of RFK,
featuring gun violence victims, ministers, labor executives and District of
Columbia officials.
Joe Andrew, the DNC's national chair, extended the criticism from the party
to Bush, the Republicans' presumptive presidential nominee.
"Bush stood literally shoulder to shoulder with the NRA as he signed the
concealed weapons bill," Andrew said in prepared remarks. "Two years later,
Bush signed another law allowing people to carry their hidden handguns into
churches and synagogues, amusement parks and nursing homes."
"I think most Americans agree that you should not be packing heat when you
enter a pew. And there's not room for six-shooters at Six Flags," Andrew
added.
Chris Paulitz, a Republican National Committee spokesman, called the
Democratic criticism "a blatant, disgusting attempt to politicize a tragedy."
"This is the Democrats' and Al Gore's way of covering up their reluctance to
prosecute any criminal, either adults or children, who use guns during
crimes," Paulitz said.
At the gala, Republicans will dine on creamy goat cheese medallion, grilled
tenderloin medallion, horseradish crusted filet of red snapper, roasted
garlic broccolini, glazed root vegetables, orange meringue mirror, orange
segments and fresh berries, demitasse, and micro chocolates and tiny
biscotti. KC and the Sunshine Band will perform, and attendees will receive
gift bags that include souvenir T-shirts.
Democrats will hold their own fund-raising extravaganza on May 24 at MCI
Center and hope to break the Republicans' record tally. Republicans'
optimistic projections call for an $18 million haul, and top Democrats
privately hope to raise $20 million.
In his remarks tonight, at what amounts to his coming-out party in the
nation's capital, Bush plans to focus on changing the tone in Washington,
according to a campaign official.
"He is going to underscore the need for Republicans and Democrats to work
together to achieve results, as opposed to the constant bickering that we see
so much in Washington," the official said.
To set the bipartisan tone for tonight, Bush met privately at a Washington
hotel this morning with Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) to discuss Social Security.
Vice President Gore's campaign issued a statement today headlined, "NRA
Tightens Its Embrace of George W. Bush."
"So much for George W. Bush's moderate makeover," said Chris Lehane, the
campaign press secretary. "He has rushed from the warm embrace of Bob Jones
and straight into the arms of the NRA."
(Emphasis added)
© 2000 The Washington Post Company
_____________________________________________________________________
April 26, 2000
The New York Times
N.R.A. Tightens Its Embrace of Republicans With Donations
By JAMES DAO
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Under sharp attack in the courts and in Congress, the
National Rifle Association is embracing the Republican Party more firmly, and
openly, than ever through campaign contributions, speeches and its
direct-mail operation.
On Wednesday night, Wayne LaPierre, the N.R.A.'s executive vice president,
will serve as a co-chairman for a black-tie event in Washington saluting Gov.
George W. Bush of Texas, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The
gala is expected to collect more than $18 million for the party, a record
amount, with Mr. LaPierre pledging to raise at least $250,000 of that.
"There is no question that the Republican Party respects the rights of
Americans under the Second Amendment more than the Democratic Party does,"
said Mike Collins, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.
But the event is just the most recent example of the powerful gun group's
efforts to promote the Republican Party and Mr. Bush in ways that have often
gone beyond its support for Republicans in the past.
Since last fall, for instance, the group, which has more than 3 million
members, has been sending out a fund-raising letter drawing sharp contrasts
between Mr. Bush and Vice President Al Gore, the likely Democratic candidate.
The letter, which encourages people to join the N.R.A., praises Mr. Bush for
having signed legislation allowing Texans to carry concealed weapons and
prohibiting municipalities from filing lawsuits against gun makers. Mr. Gore,
the letter asserts, would "make it harder and harder for people like you to
own firearms."
"You can help encourage George Bush to continue his strong stance in favor of
your Second Amendment Rights," says the letter signed by Mr. LaPierre. "You
can encourage Al Gore to face up to the fact that what American voters really
want is crime control, not gun control."
The group's top leadership has also been warmly praising Mr. Bush in public.
Last month, Charlton Heston, the group's president, enthusiastically said
"Yes" when asked whether he thought Mr. Bush would be "a friend" to the
N.R.A. if elected.
The gun group has also significantly increased its contributions to the
Republican Party. In the last year, it has donated more than $540,000 in
so-called soft money to Republican Party committees, while giving nothing in
soft money, or unregulated donations, to the Democrats.
That increase represents a shift in strategy for the group in several ways.
First, the N.R.A. has historically tended to support candidates either by
giving money to them directly, rather than to the parties, or by financing
independent advertising campaigns. Second, while the group has in the past
supported more Republicans than Democrats, its approach had seemed less
openly partisan than this year.
Third, gun control advocates contend that the group's cheerleading for Mr.
Bush represents its most enthusiastic support for a presidential candidate
since it put Ronald Reagan on the cover of its magazine in the 1980's.
Bill Powers, an N.R.A. spokesman, referred questions about the group's
efforts on behalf of Mr. Bush and the Republicans to Mr. LaPierre, who did
not return calls for comment.
Republican Party officials tried to play down Mr. LaPierre's role in the
fund-raiser, saying that he is just one of more than 40 co-chairmen for the
event. But they did not deny that the gun group was playing a more aggressive
role in supporting the party this year.
"The National Rifle Association has many members across America in both
parties who support the right to bear arms and their voices also count," said
Ari Fleischer, a spokesman for Mr. Bush. "Governor Bush is proud to have the
support of members of the National Rifle Association."
But Democrats were gleeful about Mr. LaPierre's involvement in the Republican
fund-raiser, arguing that it showed the party, and Mr. Bush, to be firmly in
the clutches of a group they say is out of touch with the political
mainstream.
"Every time the N.R.A. has called, Bush has answered," said Jenny Backus, a
spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee. "They are giddy at the
prospects of a Bush presidency."
Both its critics and its allies say the gun group's more vigorous efforts on
behalf of the Republicans are meant to draw the party closer at a time when
many Democrats, including Mr. Gore, are aggressively pushing for stringent
restrictions on gun owners, and when many cities are suing gun makers for the
damages caused by gun violence.
"The Democratic Party has made guns a litmus test for its members and its
candidates, so the N.R.A. is responding," said Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a Bellevue, Wa.,
group that lobbies against gun control.
In particular, N.R.A. leaders appear to be concerned about the Republicans
losing control of Congress. A switch of just six seats would give the
Democrats control of the House, where the Republican leadership has
consistently blocked gun-control legislation in recent years.
The gun group's efforts also come at a time when some moderate Republicans
have sought to distance themselves from the group by advocating modest
gun-control measures, such as mandatory trigger locks. Even Mr. Bush, who has
been considered a reliable ally of the group, criticized Mr. LaPierre last
month for having "gone too far" by asserting that President Clinton had
purposely tolerated a certain level of gun violence to keep the issue alive
for Democratic candidates.
By supporting Mr. Bush early, many gun-control advocates say, the N.R.A.
seems to be putting the governor on notice that gun owners expect him to
remain a staunch ally.
------------------
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!