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Obama Endorsed by Gun Group on Anniversary of V-Tech Killings

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April 16, 2008 2:31 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and David Wright Report: Timing is everything in politics and, for Barack Obama's campaign, today's endorsement by the American Hunters and Shooters Association showed both good and bad timing.

The good news, for Obama: the support of this gunowners' rights group may help him overcome the controversy over his suggestion that small voters "cling to guns and religion" because they're "bitter."

The bad news?  Today was the anniversary of the deadly Virginia Tech massacre.

“Sen. Obama will be a strong voice an unabashed voice for America's hunters and shooters and it is with great pleasure that we endorse his candidacy,” President of the Association Ray Schoenke said, citing Obama’s commitment to the traditions of gun ownership.

Schoenke said they had reached out to the Obama campaign several weeks ago to offer their support – but the announcement wasn’t made public until today.  Schoenke added that the timing amid the controversy was important.

“We believe recent attacks on Sen. Obama’s stand on the 2nd amendment and his commitment to the hunting and shooting heritages are unfair.”

He said Obama’s vote for the Vitter amendment proves that Obama is committed to the 2nd amendment. The Vitter amendment prohibits the confiscation of firearms during an emergency or major disaster.

“Imagine how the citizens felt during hurricane Katrina when government agents kicked in doors to confiscate law biding citizen’s guns at a time when they needed them the most. We know Senator Obama gets it.”

Schoenke said on the other hand that Senator Clinton has “failed to grasp the importance of this critical issue to hunters and shooters and voted against this amendment, turning her back on American gun owners.”

The Republicans dismissed Obama's endorsement, and suggested the American Hunters and Shooters Association is an ersatz version of the National Rifle Association with dubious credibility among gun enthusiasts.

“Should Barack Obama be the Democrats’ nominee, he will probably be the most anti-gun general election candidate in political history," said Republican National Committee Spokesman Danny Diaz.  "The AHSA’s endorsement of Obama will not provide him any credibility on the Second Amendment.”

During the Q and A, Schoenke was asked what Obama’s position was on banning hand guns generally – and referenced the DC gun ban case.

“I’m not sure I think in talking with the campaign that Senator Obama has not taken a position on the DC gun ban case,” but said that they were conformable enough with his position that he supports individual rights under the 2nd amendments to endorse him.

Today Senator Obama released a separate statement on the Virginia Tech anniversary.  “Clearly, our state and federal governments have to strengthen some laws and do a better job enforcing others. But we all have a responsibility to do what we can in our own lives and communities to end this kind of senseless violence,” he said

Like his speech in the immediate aftermath of the shootings last year, Obama's statement does not include the words “gun control.”

April 16, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (108)

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American politics has become so RIGGED that its incredible.

How does this seem credible ? Its CORRUPT.

This is about as credible as the American Marraige Council ENDORSING Bill Clinton AFTER the Monica Lewinski scandal.

Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 16, 2008 2:40:17 PM

Oh wow Nice going >>>>>More then one group knows who is theman to get the changes we need in this country.Congratssssss and on the Boss too>>>>>

Posted by: h | Apr 16, 2008 2:44:39 PM

I will be the first one to say it publically, that all of us better say goodbye to the freedom and love we have of this country. Obama as president will be the biggest mistake this country has ever seen.

Posted by: steve | Apr 16, 2008 2:46:25 PM

Obama, the man that thinks you hunt duck with a six-shooter. This is just royal. I smell the flow of big money. They now have Obama in their hip pocket. WooHoo.
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Obama, saying and doing anything he can to try to lose the election. He's like a rubber band man for sure.
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Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 16, 2008 2:46:43 PM

"I wonder who is working behind the scenes to get these endorsements to boost his public image."

The Pope? Putin? Santa Claus? God?

I think there are a lot of people out there who hate to see the greatest Prez candidate in decades so unfairly attacked by a desperate opponent from his own party. So they come forward to support his candidacy. They do so as patriots who are concerned about the future of America. Obama, they find, is the one who is ready and equipped to lead our country into that future.

Posted by: Catho | Apr 16, 2008 2:51:48 PM

"I wonder who is working behind the scenes to get these endorsements to boost his public image."

Mary - his campaign staff is working behind the scenes. That's what good campaigns do, including the planning of opportune times to roll out endorsements.

What you've seen in this nomination race is a contest between a solid, hardworking campaign on the one hand and a reckless, frantic and disorganized campaign on the other.

The only surprise is that the newcomer party "insurgent" has run the former and the party "insider" has run the latter.

Posted by: Paul | Apr 16, 2008 3:01:47 PM

Ahhhhh, silly season of politics.

You kinda know that Barack is winning and is likely to be the next POTUS when cynics have nothing of substantial value to say.

Losers only hurl insults. That's the byproduct of losing.

However, I would compare the insults to shooting a bb gun at a moving freight train. No effect whatsoever.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 16, 2008 3:03:21 PM

We will surely lose if he is nominated. He, coupled with the media's support, have been instrumental in fueling so much anger within many, many Hillary supporters. This anger will not just disappear.

Posted by: catherine in nm | Apr 16, 2008 3:06:04 PM

It is a known fact that if Obama is nominated as the democratic candidate, the Hillary Supporters will vote for McCain!

The HIllary supporters are mainly catholics, hispanics, working class. They will go right....not left. Mark my words. You will all see.

So God Bless America. He comes our new President. John McCain....Oh! Please, please, please....let Obama win....so McCain can beat him in the primary.

Obama is so unelectable. McCain start packing your bags, the Whitehouse is waiting for you.

Posted by: norm | Apr 16, 2008 3:10:05 PM

These special interest groups are greasing the wheels. All of you that thought he was different and not beholding to special interests, think again.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | Apr 16, 2008 3:10:44 PM

Could it be that these guys see that Obama understands the POINT of the second amendment. ...and those on the far left and the far right don't.

That is what I believe law abiding gun owners might actually have in common with him. That the right to bear arms has to do with individual safety...not for the right of criminals to carry AK47's ...or to be used to threaten the social standing of a community, neighborhood and/or law inforcement.

This is the difference that your virulent defense of your candidate has blinded you to. Half of you think guns should be completely banned and half of you think he is offensive when he talks about campaigns going wrong when people cling to their gun (issues) in the middle of a debate rather than financial or the war or healthcare or...

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 3:11:47 PM

That may be a prescient point, Catherine. There is entrenchment, and its questionable whether a significant majority of Clinton supporters will actively support Obama.

But the reverse may also be true. Because of that entrenchment, how many Obama supporters would come around to cheer a Clinton nomination?

The more telling point is this, I believe:

The Post/ABC puts her trustworthiness with independents at 37 percent. She can't win the general election. With Obama, we're not sure.

And I also believe he would have a less disastrous effect on the down ticket races, which in a broader view, may be the most important factor to the party.

Posted by: Paul | Apr 16, 2008 3:12:24 PM

Norm

Obama supporters are more of a mix of independents and dems ...they are much more likely to be comfortable when push comes to shove than Hillary supporters voting for McCain...

Yeah with the supreme court where it is...and the state of Roe vs. Wade... I really don't see the majority of Hillary supporters saying "yeah we are so ###### off that our candidate didn't get chosen I am going to vote for the guy who has put pro-life/anti-choice at the top of his talking points."

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 3:18:13 PM

Why is it the ABC News is aligning itself with MBNBC and CNN with the bias and very unfair treatment to the WOMAN running for president, Hillary Clinton?
We have heard the race card for months, but no one has admitted that Hillary has been discriminated against because of her female gender.
ALL OF THE NEWS MEDIA STATIONS ARE MALE CHAUVINISTS AND OLD FASHIONED!!
By the way, Hillary was ENDORSED today by WILLIE COLON, WINNER OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

Posted by: becky | Apr 16, 2008 3:23:46 PM

A voice of reason: The only way the democrats will capture the white house is together. I will not vote for Barack because of his thin resume, but if he added eight years as vice president, no one could claim that he was inexperienced and I think this would all but assure the democrats of 16 years in the white house. This is sound reasoning and Barack could end this all now and fill in the gaps of experience and probably make a wonderful president. They are so close on issues, they just need to come together. If democrats came together and made this the sound that both candidates could hear, maybe we could get this done. They could capture the White House together. Let's revist this idea!
Hillary/Barack....Barack/?

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:34:52 PM

AHSA is a anti gun/2nd amendment organization that only pretends to benefit hunters and shooters. The simple fact they show support for a gun grabber only proves how gullable some folks can be.

Posted by: Rural one | Apr 16, 2008 3:36:47 PM

Justme,

Come back to reality. Hillary is not going to be in anyone's picture or anyone's team after this.

Posted by: Common Sense | Apr 16, 2008 3:37:23 PM

Common Sense, use your common sense and read the handwriting on the wall. Separate we are doomed, together we may have a chance.

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:38:28 PM

Went to a party for my grandma at the nursing home and talked to all of her pals. They were all supporting Hillary. I asked what they would do if Obama won the nomination, and they all immediately said they'd vote for McCain!!

BWhahahahahahah......Novemeber is going to be sooo fun.

Posted by: Jo | Apr 16, 2008 3:38:29 PM

Today, Michelle Obama was at a rally crying about how she is one of those small town people, because she came from a poor middleclass family and had to work her way through college. She is one of them>

Cry me a river...Miss Obama...you make me sick!!!!!

Posted by: norm | Apr 16, 2008 3:39:52 PM

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