Call me back after the AWB sunsets and we'll talk, I have been a regular contributor at several levels. And I'm not the only one who's waiting.
   http://www.thehill.com/news/051204/nra.aspx

May 12, 2004
NRA endorsement of Bush is on hold
Gun-rights group watches, waits on weapons ban
By Bob Cusack </about/bob_cusack.shtm>
An influential gun-rights group known for backing Republicans is unlikely to
endorse President Bush until after the federal assault-weapons ban expires
in September.

Bush supports the renewal of the 10-year ban but has not called on the
GOP-controlled Congress to act. If he does so, the move would probably cost
him the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Some political observers believe that the NRA's endorsement is a certainty,
pointing out the group's stinging criticism of Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.),
the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

But gun-rights activists dispute the claim that Bush can count on the NRA's
support; the group remained neutral in 1992 and 1996. The NRA did not
endorse Republican nominee Bob Dole's 1996 presidential bid because of his
wavering stance on the assault-weapons ban and opted not to back George H.W.
Bush in his 1992 re-election effort. The NRA did endorse George W. Bush in
2000.

Many Capitol Hill aides and lawmakers say Bush will determine whether the
ban is extended beyond Sept. 13. An aide to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert
(R-Ill.) has said privately that if Bush pushes for it, the ban will
probably be reauthorized. But if he doesn't, the chances of legislation's
passing this year are remote.

Chris Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, said the group usually does not endorse
presidential candidates until the fall and will not be changing its schedule
this year.

He acknowledged that this year is a bit different from previous election
years: "Clearly, there are some issues that are still on the table [in
2004]."

Cox declined to say when the NRA will make an endorsement decision, saying,
"I'm not going to broadcast our strategy six months before the election."

He said the policy on the assault-weapons ban will be resolved by Congress,
adding that it is no coincidence that soon after the 1994 ban was enacted,
Republicans took control of Capitol Hill.

NRA officials said the statements and voting records on what the NRA calls
the "Clinton gun ban" are key factors in its endorsements for all political
candidates.
Centrist Republicans in the House are urging the administration to get
involved. In an interview, Rep. Michael Castle (R-Del.) said, "Pressure will
build" to renew the ban in the coming months.

Castle said he is working with Reps. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), Mark Kirk
(R-Ill.), Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) to pass a
bill that parallels the gun bill passed in 1994.

"The legislation would pass if it came to the floor," Castle said. "There
are a number of Republicans who would support this."

Gun-rights activists dispute Castle's vote count, but, at least for now, the
question is whether the bill will make it to the House floor.

House Majority Tom DeLay (R-Texas) is against extending the ban, which was
passed when Democrats were in control of Congress and the White House.

Hastert, meanwhile, has given mixed signals on the issue, and police chiefs
from his state are lobbying him to call for a vote.

A majority of the Senate in March voted to extend the ban.

"The House is the issue," Castle said. "The problem is in the House."

If Bush and Hastert do not act, it is likely that a discharge petition would
be launched to force a vote on the floor.

Castle, however, said, "It is too early to discuss discharge petitions,"
adding that House GOP leaders frown upon them.

So far this year, Bush has given no indication that he will speak out on the
gun ban. Instead, the administration appears to be courting the NRA's
endorsement.

Late last year, NRA officials visited with Bush at the White House. Last
month, Vice President Dick Cheney spoke out, at an NRA conference, about
protecting the right to bear arms.

Castle downplayed the significance of an NRA endorsement, saying a vast
majority of NRA members are not going to vote for Kerry, whether Bush gets
the group's backing or not.

But others said such an endorsement is key to Bush's re-election hopes
because it would mobilize an integral cog in the conservative movement.

Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, said many Reagan
Democrats voted for Bush in 2000 partly because of the NRA's endorsement. He
added that Bush's triumphs in states such as Tennessee, Virginia and
Arkansas were attributable to the NRA's grassroots effort and Al Gore's
strong gun-control views.

Asked when the NRA would likely endorse Bush, Pratt said, referring to the
day after the ban would expire, "I think Sept. 14 would make a good date."
© 2004 The Hill
733 Fifteenth Street, NW Suite 1140
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax

The Republican party are a bunch of money whores.  I get at least one letter a week asking for money.  I finally gave, but giving is not enough, they just want more.

Quoted: The Republican party are a bunch of money whores.  I get at least one letter a week asking for money.  I finally gave, but giving is not enough, they just want more.

And this is just a republican phenomenon?

Quoted: The Republican party are a bunch of money whores.

Not just a Repub trait....

I finally gave, but giving is not enough, they just want more.

There's where you made your mistake... you feed the animals, so they just keep coming back, like feeding the bears......

Lick the sweat off of my left testicle?

Quoted: The Republican party are a bunch of money whores.  I get at least one letter a week asking for money.  I finally gave, but giving is not enough, they just want more.

Hello? They're POLITICIANS!!!!!

Here is the form letter I have been using to reply to the various Republican pleas for money (which seem to come about twice a week):

Dear Sirs: I recently received a letter notifying me that my membership in the Republican National Committee is about to expire.  I cannot contribute at this time, due to my concern regarding the possible renewal of the ban on “assault weapons.”  I oppose renewing this law.  President Bush has publicly supported a renewal of the ban.  Six Republican Senators voted to reenact the ban as an amendment to the Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.  Without those Republican Senators, the amendment would not have passed.  Clearly, (1) the renewal of the ban would pass the Senate and (2) this is only possible with Republican support. Also, I read recently that “Hastert … has given mixed signals on the issue” and that “An aide to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has said privately that if Bush pushes for it, the ban will probably be reauthorized.”  The Hill, May 12, 2004.  Again, Republicans are refusing to defend the people’s right to keep and bear arms. As Republicans control the White House, Senate and House, the renewal of the ban should not even be an issue.  Instead, it appears that the ban may be renewed due to the support of Republicans.  If, due to the actions of Republicans, the ban is renewed, I cannot in good conscience belong the National Committee.  I will therefore be waiting to see whether I should continue my support until (1) the ban expires in September or (2) the Republican leadership make a definitive statement that the ban will not be renewed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Respectfully Yours,

"MONSTAH AH AIN'T GIVIN' YOU NO TREE FITTY!"

In the June/2004 issue of American Rifle, there is an interview with the NRA's chief lobbyist Chris Cox, and Tom Delay, and Delay said "he supports the 2nd Amend, and a lot of other do also." He said that there is not enough support for the renewal of the AWB.

They sent me a survey, along with a donation request.

I wrote in big black markie: "Stop spending so damn much money!"

Across the survey.

Hell, it's getting to be on national economics, the whole republican party is RINO.

TXL

You did the right thing in letting them know why you don't want to donate anything at this time.  If you had just said no, they would have never known why you wouldn't help them out.  If you had said yes, here's what I'll give, they would have taken you for granted.

Quoted: Here is the form letter I have been using to reply to the various Republican pleas for money (which seem to come about twice a week): Dear Sirs: I recently received a letter notifying me that my membership in the Republican National Committee is about to expire.  I cannot contribute at this time, due to my concern regarding the possible renewal of the ban on “assault weapons.”  I oppose renewing this law.  President Bush has publicly supported a renewal of the ban.  Six Republican Senators voted to reenact the ban as an amendment to the Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.  Without those Republican Senators, the amendment would not have passed.  Clearly, (1) the renewal of the ban would pass the Senate and (2) this is only possible with Republican support. Also, I read recently that “Hastert … has given mixed signals on the issue” and that “An aide to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has said privately that if Bush pushes for it, the ban will probably be reauthorized.”  The Hill, May 12, 2004.  Again, Republicans are refusing to defend the people’s right to keep and bear arms. As Republicans control the White House, Senate and House, the renewal of the ban should not even be an issue.  Instead, it appears that the ban may be renewed due to the support of Republicans.  If, due to the actions of Republicans, the ban is renewed, I cannot in good conscience belong the National Committee.  I will therefore be waiting to see whether I should continue my support until (1) the ban expires in September or (2) the Republican leadership make a definitive statement that the ban will not be renewed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Respectfully Yours,

I think I'm going to borrow that if you don't mind !

"AND I SAY, DAMN YOU LOCKNESS MONSTA, GIT OFF MA LAWN!!"

Quoted: "MONSTAH AH AIN'T GIVIN' YOU NO TREE FITTY!"

"AND I SAY, DAMN YOU LOCKNESS MONSTA!! GIT OFF MA LAWN!!"

Quoted: Quoted: "MONSTAH AH AIN'T GIVIN' YOU NO TREE FITTY!" "AND I SAY, DAMN YOU LOCKNESS MONSTA!! GIT OFF MA LAWN!!"

Well, it was about dat time...

i will still be pushing to kill the ban, all the way till sept

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: "MONSTAH AH AIN'T GIVIN' YOU NO TREE FITTY!" "AND I SAY, DAMN YOU LOCKNESS MONSTA!! GIT OFF MA LAWN!!" Well, it was about dat time...

yeah knew you guys'd back me up

Quoted: "MONSTAH AH AIN'T GIVIN' YOU NO TREE FITTY!"

You got that right!