NRA Considering backing Dems in Ohio.

[Ben.]

From Politics 1…

“OHIO: The politically influential NRA and other pro-gun rights groups are openly considering working for the defeat next year of US Senator Mike DeWine (R), according to The Hill. One DC gun lobbyist called DeWine "the most activist, anti-gun Republican in the Senate" and praised Congressman Tim Ryan (D) -- a potential DeWine challenger -- as having "a long and consistent record of pro-gun support." Larry Pratt, head of the more uncompromising Gun Owners of America, said his group graded DeWine an "F" rating and Ryan a "B" rating (versus a "D" grade for Bill Frist and a "C" for Rick Santorum). "Personally, as an individual and an ardent Republican, I would love to see anyone run against DeWine, especially Ryan," said Rick Kaleda, a NRA political organizer for Ohio. DeWine was one of only two GOP Senators to oppose a bill protecting gun makers from liability for damages caused by the use of their products. State GOP Political Director Jason Mauk said he wasn't worried about DeWine being vulnerable, because the Dems do not yet have an announced candidate and DeWine "votes with the President 95% of the time." However, the ongoing scandals swirling around term-limited Governor Bob Taft (R) -- now holding a dismal 17% approval rating -- are also causing major electoral concerns for many GOP candidates in the state.”

I expect some still don’t think DeWine is vulnerable, but with abysmal ratings, a disaffected base, strong potential democratic challengers and the NRA openly thinking of campaigning against the race looks more and more competitive.       

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Interesting development...

[Democratic Hawk]

Interesting development...

Very interesting. The NRA ought to be supporting pro-Second Amendment Democrats

Dave

[Ben.]

Said all along that Ryan was the strongest candidate, indeed even if Haskett ran he'd probably be acceptable to the NRA from what i recall he's very pro 2nd amendment.

[Akno21]

Let's just hope he can still win the primary, and he's not shot down by the liberals in Ohio.

[TheresNoMoney]

We should hear some definite word on this race in the next 2 weeks. The Democratic candidate will likely be Sherrod Brown or Tim Ryan.

I think Tim Ryan would likely have the better chance. Of course, he's only 32 so if he passes up this race he will definitely run in the future sometime.

[Joe Republic]

Very interesting......

[Virginian87]

Sounds good to me.  Finally some Democrats in Ohio with some sense.  DeWine, here we come!

[Democratic Hawk]

Tim Ryan would be my preference. The party needs some young blood in the Senate

Dave

[© tweed]

Can't hurt our chances in Ohio, but we'd still lose.  (Plus if I was a candidate I'd having trouble letting the NRA back me, but in Ryan's position, he has to go through with it even if he hates the NRA)

[Sam Spade]

This is not necessarily surprising, since DeWine has been pretty weak on gun issues all around (to put it mildly).

Of course, this all depends on who the Democrats put up as a candidate in 2006.

[Ben.]

This is not necessarily surprising, since DeWine has been pretty weak on gun issues all around (to put it mildly).

Of course, this all depends on who the Democrats put up as a candidate in 2006.

If Brown... NRA stays out or even backs DeWine, though little practical help i would expect, Brown probably goes on to lose by a respectable margin.

If Ryan... NRA make positive nosies if he is nominated and attack DeWine while endorsing Ryan, liberal third party candidate makes it close, but with Democrat and NRA money comming in Ryan makes the race very competative and probably wins. 

[Virginian87]

This is not necessarily surprising, since DeWine has been pretty weak on gun issues all around (to put it mildly).

Of course, this all depends on who the Democrats put up as a candidate in 2006.

If Brown... NRA stays out or even backs DeWine, though little practical help i would expect, Brown probably goes on to lose by a respectable margin.

If Ryan... NRA make positive nosies if he is nominated and attack DeWine while endorsing Ryan, liberal third party candidate makes it close, but with Democrat and NRA money comming in Ryan makes the race very competative and probably wins. 

Wouldn't it be awesome if option 2 happens?

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Interesting development...

Very interesting. The NRA ought to be supporting pro-Second Amendment Democrats

Dave

I believe there were some cases where the Democrat and Republican were about equal, and the NRA endorsed the Republican. They definitely tend to have a Republican bias.

[Ben.]

This is not necessarily surprising, since DeWine has been pretty weak on gun issues all around (to put it mildly).

Of course, this all depends on who the Democrats put up as a candidate in 2006.

If Brown... NRA stays out or even backs DeWine, though little practical help i would expect, Brown probably goes on to lose by a respectable margin.

If Ryan... NRA make positive nosies if he is nominated and attack DeWine while endorsing Ryan, liberal third party candidate makes it close, but with Democrat and NRA money comming in Ryan makes the race very competative and probably wins. 

Wouldn't it be awesome if option 2 happens?

It would, but I'm afraid we have to wait and see what the Democrats of Ohio decide to do... fingers crossed

[Flying Dog]

The NRA shouldnt support anybody. There to involved with politics.

[© tweed]

The NRA shouldnt support anybody. There to involved with politics.

I disagree with their agenda, and I hate Charlton Heston, but it's their right to try to advance their cause and to back candidates that will help them do so.

[TheresNoMoney]

It would, but I'm afraid we have to wait and see what the Democrats of Ohio decide to do... fingers crossed

I think Sherrod Brown has first crack at it, so it's really up to him. I think Ryan would be a tremendous candidate.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Yes, Ryan could beat DeWine.

[Ben.]

Yes, Ryan could beat DeWine.

You know what this means... we agree

 

[Virginian87]

Yes, Ryan could beat DeWine.

Glad to hear that.

[CARLHAYDEN]

The NRA shouldnt support anybody. There to involved with politics.

I disagree with their agenda, and I hate Charlton Heston, but it's their right to try to advance their cause and to back candidates that will help them do so.

Charlton Heston was a great actor, and a very good man.

Remember, back in the early 60's, he marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the south..

I still remember parts of his "10 reasons..."  Hysterically funny!

[Virginian87]

The NRA shouldnt support anybody. There to involved with politics.

I disagree with their agenda, and I hate Charlton Heston, but it's their right to try to advance their cause and to back candidates that will help them do so.

Charlton Heston was a great actor, and a very good man.

Ben-Hur and the Ten Commandments were great films!  So was Planet of the Apes: "Damn you, damn you all to hell!"

[CARLHAYDEN]

He made a lot of great movies.

I remember when he played against type as the comandant of a boys ROTC unit.