This morning, I had NPR on to listen to some news while getting ready for work. A particular mention of Harry Reid, however, made me stop to listen, and research. I suppose it highlights the precarious position we're in with Harry Reid.
So the story can be found here:
Obama Calls On Congress To Act To Reduce Gun Violence
by Mara Liasson
During this piece Mara Liasson talks with a former Republican leadership aide, named as John Thierry (sp?), who claims that Reid's last electoral victory was due in part to being
endorsed by the NRA.
Now, I remember yesterday it was reported here that he had not picked up that endorsement...
Reid has a long-standing relationship with the National Rifle Association. Although the organization did not endorse him for reelection in 2010, it contributed more than $4,000 to his campaign and its unhinged but well-paid executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said of Reid that year that he was "a true champion of the Second Amendment" and that "no one has been a stronger advocate for responsible gun ownership than him." The organization did not back Reid's opponent, Sharron Angle, who infamously noted that it might be time for "2nd Amendment remedies" to deal with "tyrannical" government.
That "true champion" has opposed most gun restrictions in the past. But on Wednesday, Reid said "all options should be on the table moving forward" in the complex effort to reduce gun violence. That would seem to indicate some flexibility even on the matter of the assault weapons ban. Or it may be mere blather.
The matter of the money he picked up from the NRA is a
matter of record, as is the lack of cash for his opponent at the time, Sharron Angle. As is the reported lack of an
endorsement on either side of that Senate race.
I wonder if NPR will go back later and point out that this Republican they spoke to was wrong about that. I guess Reid's history of working comfortably with the NRA is going to come back to haunt him, one way or the other. This was the scene back in 2010 as Reid courted the NRA.
The NRA has not endorsed Mr. Reid in the past, but his backers had been hoping for its official blessing this time around. Mr. Reid has long declared himself a supporter of gun rights.
In March, Mr. Reid helped open the Clark County Shooting Park, firing a shotgun and hitting two clay birds as the crowd cheered, according to press reports. Mr. Reid helped obtain $61 million for the new facility, and he was accompanied at the opening by NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre.
“I know how you worked,” Mr. LaPierre told Reid at the event, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Mr. LaPierre added that the park “would not have opened without the work of Sen. Reid.”
For my part, I intend to join every effort I can find to put pressure on Reid to act on all of the President's gun control proposals, including the new assault weapons ban. Whatever his personal stand on guns may be, as Obama pointed out, Harry Reid needs to hear from the people, to hear our demand for change.