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NRA Fires Away at Obama-Biden on TV and Radio

September 22, 2008 2:42 PM

"Defend freedom," urges the National Rifle Association's new TV and radio ad campaign. "Defeat Obama."

The powerful gun owners' lobby today announced it is firing away at the Democratic presidential candidate with a cache of TV and radio ads in New Mexico, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.

The ads will run on cable TV in all three battleground states: CMT, CNN, DISC, ESPN, ESPN, ESPN News, ESX, FXNC, GOLFm HIST, MIL, NFL, Outdoor Channel, Speed, Spike, TBS, TNT, TWC, and Versus.

The ad called "Hunter" features a Virginia hunter named Karl Rusch asking about Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., "Where is this guy from? He's probably never been hunting a day in his life."

"Hunter" claims Obama supports a "huge" new tax on guns and ammo, a claim based on a 1999 story in the Chicago Defender. It says Obama "voted to ban virtually all deer hunting ammunition" (a charge based on a 2005 Senate vote for a failed amendment from Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., which would have expanded the definition of "armor-piercing") and supports a "ban on the shotguns and rifles most of us use for hunting" (a reference to Obama saying in a 2004 Senate debate that President Bush should have renewed the Assault Weapons Ban.)

"Veteran" features the hunter's son -- former Marine Staff Sgt. Kurt Rusch, who served in Iraq -- and takes issue with Obama's opposition in 2004 to a bill that offered legal protections to those who use firearms in self-defense, "freedoms that I fought for, that my friends died to defend," Rusch says.

The legislation originated from a 2003 incident when a Wilmette, Ill., restaurateur named Hale DeMar shot and wounded a burglar who broke into his house. DeMar was prosecuted by the town of Wilmette, which had, at the time, a ban on the possession of handguns, so some Illinois lawmakers introduced legislation to offer legal protections to individuals who use firearms in self-defense. The bill passed the Illinois state House by a vote of 86-25, and the Illinois state Senate -- where Obama voted against it -- by a vote of 39-20.

A third ad, "Way of Life," features Scott Siefert, a Michigan farmer, invoking Obama's infamous line from a San Francisco fundraiser in April about economically hurting small towners "cling"ing to guns, God, and bias.

"Because I believe in traditional American values, go to church, and exercise my right to own a firearm," Siefert says, "Barack Obama says I'm bitter. Well I'm not bitter, I'm blessed."

Then there's this fourth ad, targeted at Keystone Staters who like Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. In "Pennsylvania Values," the narrator says, "Joe Biden wants you to believe that he shares your values because he was born in Scranton. But Pennsylvania gun owners and hunters don't share his values." The ad then runs through a litany of gun control measures Biden has supported.

The NRA is also running audio attacks on 60 radio stations in Pennsylvania, 22 radio stations in Colorado, and an undisclosed number in the Land of Enchantment.

- jpt

September 22, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (177)

User Comments

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The only member of my family ever shot was gunned down after commiting a murder. As long as the world has evil, I'm keeping my trusty SKS ready. Gun ownership is nothing more than homeland security, and no invading country would ever feel like dealing with 80 million American snipers. I've been to Chicago, and being their made me realize how stupid it was that a person could not carry a concealed weapon. I lived in Las Vegas, and wished that the law permitted one to carry concealed without a permit. No way in hell I'd ever live in some neighboorhoods without the firearm of my choice at my disposal in my home. Do you think I should only be allowed pepper spray against a thug twice my size? I saw a group of thugs break into a home a few years ago, and believe me, nothing will stop me from having a gun ready in such an event.
Who knows? I may someday die of a gunshot wound. I even had a scary experience of a gun blowing up on me once. But that pales in comparison of my fear of being disarmed. The second amendment isn't about hunting- it means I we the people are a militia to defend ourselves, period.

Posted by: Steve-O | Oct 26, 2008 9:10:03 PM

1. Obama challenges the 2nd Amendment ... The Right To Bear Arms.

2. Obama challenges the 1st Amendment ... The right of Free Speech.
Obama pressures all media who accepts NRA advertising.

3. Obama wants a Civil National Security Force ... with the same budget as the Pentagon.

So, Obama does not want any opposition, so he stops Freedom of Speech.
Then, to make any opposition defenseless, he wants to take away our right to bear arms.
Next, he wants a Civil National Security force to put down any insurrection.

Sounds like the stepping stones to a leftist dictator taking over this country.

Posted by: PAUL REVERE | Sep 29, 2008 5:06:13 AM

Donna, your words were do eloquently stated.

Oonogil, thank you for recognizing them.

And though my children were part of "Way of Life", I've learned a tragic lesson this week. A 17 year old in my school district shot and killed his parents over a cell phone bill. But I can honestly say that our hunting weapons are safe.

Posted by: Michigan Mom | Sep 25, 2008 7:18:06 PM

Donna – You demonstrate rare wisdom.

Posted by: Oonogil | Sep 24, 2008 9:58:19 AM

Debbie –

Allow me to express my condolences to the family, friends, police department and the entire city of Philadelphia. When a good officer is lost, we all suffer the loss.

When heavily armed gunmen robbed a bank in LA California the police were outgunned by illegal weapons. Police were able to arm themselves at a local gun store which was civic minded enough to supply them with AR-15s and ammo. I have personally had to back up a deputy sheriff and I am not the first citizen to do so and will not be the last.

A gun is a tool. Like any other tool it is neither good nor evil. It’s use is purely dependent on the will of the owner.

I have had the unfortunate need to use a gun to defend myself. Not an experience I care to repeat but I am alive to repeat it if I have to.

Again, my sincerest condolences.

Posted by: Oonogil | Sep 24, 2008 9:56:20 AM

Angelo,

I googled the story you referenced. There was nothing about the firearm used, but there was this...

"Giddings had a long criminal record and had recently been released from prison."

What a surprise. That means that possesing a gun, or even a single bullet was a federal felony for which he could have been sent away for 5 years on each count (each bullet). I would guess that during his long career he probably was arrested with firearms before. However federal gun laws are amost never enforced against criminals, as the feds prefer to let the states charge them with assault, theft, etc. Then they get out and commit crimes again. It would make more sense to try to get the Feds to use the laws already on the books to put real, dangerous criminals away, than to further infringe the rights of law abiding citizens who own scary looking guns.

Posted by: Shooter44 | Sep 24, 2008 9:04:36 AM

Those of you that claim Obama supports the 2nd Ammendment and your RIGHT to defend yourself, you have no leg to stand on. Say whatever you want. You cannot change history or Obama's past words and deeds:

Fact : Obama has
supported banning
hundreds of rifles
and shotguns
commonly used for
hunting and sport
shooting.
Illinois Senate Debate #3:
Barack Obama vs. Alan Keys 10/21/04

Fact : Obama voted
to allow reckless
lawsuits designed
to put the firearms
industry out of
business.
S.397, vote 219, 7/ 29/ 05

Fact : Obama voted
to ban almost all
rifle ammunition
commonly used for
hunting and sport
shooting.
S.397, vote 217, 7/29/05

Fact : Obama voted to
allow the prosecution
of citizens who use a
firearm for self-defense
in the home.
Illinois Senate, S.B. 2165. 3/25/04

Fact : Obama
supported increasing
taxes on firearms
and ammunition by
500 percent.
Chicago Defender, 12/13 /99

Posted by: Patriots Of Americ | Sep 24, 2008 8:12:39 AM

Something very disturbing will be revealed about Senator Barrack Obama that will force him to drop out of the Presidential race.

Posted by: Angelo | Sep 24, 2008 7:53:01 AM

Yesterday afternoon a Philadelphia Police Officer was shot 14 times with an automatic assault rifle. That officer even with a vest did not stand a chance. I need, and I sure that there are others, to have someone explain to me why these type of weapons can't be banned outright. These rifles appear to be used by thugs that have no regard for human life or the law. After it is explained to me, make sure to let the members of the Philadelphia Police Department know also, they lost a brother yesterday.

Posted by: Debbie | Sep 24, 2008 7:52:38 AM

Some of the people posting don't get it. It seems to me that the point the NRA (I'm not a member) is making has to with basic freedoms and government regulation. There are plenty of regulations in place, the problem is that only those of us with integrity follow them. Government needs to find ways to enforce current regulations before they create more which are used to raise taxes but nothing changes. I've had it with politicans in general but listen carefully to Obama, he is about saying what he needs to say to get elected. It's not about being liberal or conservative, it's about being realistic. Obama cannot be trusted. Also, remember Gov't 101, congress is the law making branch of government. Vote carefully on any congressional races. Don't just believe what the media says, check out voting records and accountability.

Posted by: Donna | Sep 24, 2008 1:47:27 AM

Guns and Religion...NoBama.

Posted by: roger king | Sep 23, 2008 10:11:25 PM

"Way of Life", it's more that just a title, it strikes home. My home. My children, my husband, my local road stand farmer, my country neighborhood church, my life. I'd like to thank the NRA and the production company and crew for coming to Michigan, for listening to our people, for showing Americans how we live. We are farmers and CEO's, we are teachers and blue collared workers. We hunt because it's a way of life, as it has been for thousands of years. We are real. We live off the family land as our relatives have done for generations past. And we will continue to share these values with our own children, even if it means having my children in a national ad. I'm proud to have had the opportunity to support the NRA because "I'm not bitter, I'm blessed". Well said Scott!

Posted by: Michigan Mom | Sep 23, 2008 8:36:24 PM

Shotgun –

Clinton signed a bill that banned many guns. Sarah Brady and Diane Feinstein said it was the first step to total disarmament. That bill cost the Democrats control of the House and Senate just as Bill Clinton predicted. Apparently it wasn’t what the American people wanted.

Obama is willing to support a total ban of all handguns and repeal of concealed carry laws. BTW: The right to carry a weapon saved my life. Obama doesn’t care about that. He just wants to please Diane Feinstein.

Posted by: Oonogil | Sep 23, 2008 5:21:09 PM

Senator Obama supported the Washington DC gun ban which he later said he knew to be unconstitutional. He still supports a similar ban in Chicago and hails the DC mayor’s efforts to circumvent the Second Amendment and circumvention of the US Supreme Court. ... If Obama is willing to circumvent the Second Amendment, how many others? If he is willing to allow the Supreme Court to be ignored this time, what about next time? If he is willing to oppose 73% of the American people, how much democracy is he planning to allow?

Posted by: Oonogil | Sep 23, 2008 5:12:07 PM

Gun owners need to wake up and get the word out!

DEFEAT OBAMA!

Posted by: Mike | Sep 23, 2008 3:32:15 PM

Barack Obama is no friend of gun owners and will gladly confiscate any guns he thinks he has the political oppurtunity to. Obama's rather pathetic attempts to cast himself as a friend to hunters and gun owners are outright lies. Anyways, the second amendment has nothing to do with hunting or "sport" shooting- its about the right of citizens to own guns for protection of their freedoms- which really means firearms designed primarily for military use- Those who think civilians shouldbe limited to "sporting guns" just don't have a clue

Posted by: Brian | Sep 23, 2008 3:17:28 PM

SHOTGUN YOU MUST BE A LIBERAL BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THEY OPERATE (TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING AND PUT NOTHING BACK)

Posted by: CHAOS | Sep 23, 2008 3:04:04 PM

SHOTGUN; THIS NAME IS FROM FROM RUSH LIMBAUGH'S OPERATION CHAOS

Posted by: CHAOS | Sep 23, 2008 3:01:11 PM

The NRA ads are the truth. Although Obama tries to waffle his record of anti-gun, anti 2nd amendment votes his record speaks clearly. Obama is not a friend of the gun owner

Posted by: donn | Sep 23, 2008 1:46:17 PM

I have a gun and a bird dog, and I love to hunt but I will NEVER join the NRA. The NRA is more concerned about selling guns than really protecting our 2nd amendment rights. The NRA used all these same adds when Clinton ran for office and did anyone get their guns taken away? NO!!! Its all a big NRA hoax and most numb-skulls are easily fooled to believe it. If the NRA had it their way every high school teacher would have a gun to protect hemselves and their students, anyone who took a concealed weapon course could carry a gun into a School, Church, Hospital, Courthouse, ... NRA are true radicals.

Posted by: Shotgun | Sep 23, 2008 1:19:45 PM

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