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Obama Endorsed by Gun Group on Anniversary of V-Tech Killings
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ShareApril 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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Common Sense -- If Hillary is the nominee, will you vote for her?
Posted by: LOM | Apr 16, 2008 3:40:26 PM
Norm, you mean they let Michelle out of hiding? They took the duct tape off her mouth?!
Watch out!!! No telling what she'll say to even further lose the election for her hubby.
Posted by: Jo | Apr 16, 2008 3:42:07 PM
The AHSA is a "false-flag" organization. They have never held an open meeting; they have never elected a Board of Directors; they have no members; they do not issue memberships; they have never sanctioned a marksmanship event; they have never organized a hunting event; they exist only on paper. They were funded by contributors to The Brady Campaign and the Violence Policy Center. The AHSA is a gun control organization.
Posted by: Turk Turon | Apr 16, 2008 3:42:54 PM
Mary,
Everybody said it a few days ago after his Bitter speech.
He will get a lot of endorsements.
I just don't get it why everything he said turnout to be right even it's wrong.
Just like you said what is behind this and who is doing this. What do they want from him?
I'm just afraid once he becomes president all these powerful people, billionaires will make him like their puppet.
They know they can not do it to Hillary or McCain.
Posted by: crisis08 | Apr 16, 2008 3:43:01 PM
You Clinton supporters are amazing. How in the world did you get to be that delusional? Obama has WON, and thank God for that! Obama in '08!
Posted by: Kathleen | Apr 16, 2008 3:43:40 PM
Turk, I KNEW there was something fishy about this.
It's kinda like when the American Council of Churches endorses really liberal candidates and they pretend they're this big Christian organization and they're just a bunch of Unitarian like liberals.
It's such a crock. When will the media out them?
Posted by: Jo | Apr 16, 2008 3:44:35 PM
I guess you can't post a link here. Bad story for Hillary by Sam Stein on the Huffington Post. MSM has already picked it up.
Posted by: Jill | Apr 16, 2008 3:44:58 PM
It's really scared me
Posted by: crisis08 | Apr 16, 2008 3:45:01 PM
Kathleen -- You should call the Clinton campaign and let them know that Obama now has the 2,025 delegates needed to clinch the nomination. For news that big, I would expect to see it somewhere in the MSM???
Obama has WON...perhaps you could clarify what he has won?
Posted by: LOM | Apr 16, 2008 3:47:14 PM
This story should read "Obama endorsed by anti-gun group" as AHSA has no membership is only a front group of the Democratic party and an organization called the 3rd way. The 3rd way is run by two form Schumer staffers who crafted the democrats gun control agenda in the 90's. AHSA is run by Bob Ricker who has spoken out against the gun industry on 60 minutes and testifed against the gun companies in many frivolous lawsuits.
I wonder if AHSA knows that Obama has stated his support for a ban on handguns. GET REAL
Posted by: Mack | Apr 16, 2008 3:49:34 PM
Let him win ,just don't ruin our country later.
Can he take care of our problems?
Can he pass all his bills?
After he becomes the President he can not ask for help anymore.
Nobody will spoil him anymore
Posted by: crisis08 | Apr 16, 2008 3:50:44 PM
Clinton people won't like this at all. After her remarks that Obama is an elitist backfired on her. Now it looks like gun groups don't even think she is what she appears. I love reading these blogs I can hear clinton supporters screaming at their computers right now. Then when she loses the debate tonight we can put a fork in her cuz she'll be done. I hope he makes her cry!
Posted by: Joe | Apr 16, 2008 3:51:27 PM
How can we come together to get the White House?
Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:52:08 PM
Obama + guns = terrorist attack!!
Posted by: rufer | Apr 16, 2008 3:54:45 PM
I hope we still have a good times to celebrate christmas this year.
We don't know what will happen later.
It's really make me worry.
Posted by: crisis08 | Apr 16, 2008 3:55:13 PM
Every now and then a REALLY EVIL
person tries to take power.
This generation it is Obummer.
Posted by: refer | Apr 16, 2008 3:56:12 PM
All those who are worrying, if Obama is the nominiee vote for McCain. Atleast you know what you are getting.
Posted by: Rick | Apr 16, 2008 3:57:01 PM
So, the "screw 'em" controversy is going to erupt in the MSM, right? And then what? You're going to call Clinton an elitist now? What's new? You guys have been doing that for the past week in response to Obama's remarks.
Next.
Posted by: LOM | Apr 16, 2008 3:59:07 PM
justme,
It won't happen. Just look at the hatred on these boards. Obama is supposedly a uniter and has done nothing but divide people. Sorry to say McCain will be the next President. Many Hillary supporters will either not vote or vote for McCain because Obama is dangerous for this country. At least McCain and his wife are proud of the United States. Obama and his Amazon wife, I am not so sure about.
Posted by: J | Apr 16, 2008 3:59:24 PM
Obama is a fraud, and his wife needs therapy, she has an inferiority complex. They both are racists. What more do we need to know? We don't have time to find out right now. NOBAMA 08
Posted by: fraud-detector | Apr 16, 2008 3:59:28 PM
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