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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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NRA Fails to Win Votes Against Sotomayor

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(Newser) – The National Rifle Association is taking aim at lawmakers over Sonia Sotomayor but failing to buckle many knees, the AP reports. Breaking from its habit of avoiding Supreme Court nomination picks, the NRA has threatened to penalize legislators who vote for Sotomayor. But Blue Dog Democrats and some Republicans are shrugging it off. "I'd probably have a good rating" from the NRA "regardless," says Sen. Ben Nelson.

Several lawmakers rated "A" and "A-plus" by the NRA—including Sens. Max Baucus, Jon Tester, and Lamar Alexander—already support Sotomayor. So why would gun lobbyists risk weakening their influence like this? Republican leaders pushed the NRA after Sotomayor said she would keep an open mind on Second Amendment rights. "The Republican leadership reminded them that if they don't care about judges, they should," one conservative activist said.

National Rifle Association and credit card stickers are stuck on the front door of the Illinois Gun Works store September 10, 2004 in Elmwood Park, Ill.
National Rifle Association and credit card stickers are stuck on the front door of the Illinois Gun Works store September 10, 2004 in Elmwood Park, Ill.   (Getty Images)
Sonia Sotomayor, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of her confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 16, 2009.
Sonia Sotomayor, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of her confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
In this July 15, 2009, photo, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday July 15, 2009.
In this July 15, 2009, photo, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday July 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) and House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) hold a news conference on Capitol Hill July 22, 2009 in Washington, DC.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) and House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) hold a news conference on Capitol Hill July 22, 2009 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., talks about his amendment to give taxpayers the GM stock, on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, June 4, 2009.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., talks about his amendment to give taxpayers the GM stock, on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, June 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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17 comments
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JonmarkP
Aug 1, 09 6:56 PM CDT
Bang! The NRA shoots itself in the foot-again. The bullets keep going through the same hole. I've been a gun-owner for years, and have no use for the NRA. They don't represent gun owners, they represent ultra-right wing political ideologues and the consolidation of corporate wealth and power. If you're looking for gun owners who are also stupid, look for that NRA sticker. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+13
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Aug 1, 09 7:04 PM CDT
Not a gun-owner, but have felt the same for many years.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
AClotfelter
Aug 1, 09 7:13 PM CDT
There are plenty of pro-gun groups to the right of the NRA. The NRA is actually one of the more "progressive" groups... http://www.jpfo.org/ http://gunowners.org/ http://www.nationalgunrights.org/
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
Jayster999
Aug 1, 09 9:21 PM CDT
Guess what JuanMARX, they have no need for the likes of you either. They DO represent gun owners. In fact, they are one of a few groups which work to protect 2nd Amendment rights.
Vote up! Vote down!
-5
IN RESPONSE:
DJM420
Aug 1, 09 9:40 PM CDT
yes jester, as JON stated, they do represent gun owners, the psychotic CONSERVATIVE NAZIS...so it sounds like you two agree on this one
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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