I’m in Ohio again--on the campaign trail for Obama. The response I’ve been getting from gun owning Democrats is very positive. It’s been important to let them know Obama is on their side and values their votes – and I’m more than happy to be that messenger.
Our Sportsmen for Obama video already has 16,000 views. And, the Obama campaign also launched a new t.v. ad with an NRA life-member talking about his support for the Democratic ticket. Just more proof that the Obama campaign gets it and isn’t ceding any vote to the NRA leadership. For years, those NRA honchos have conveyed the idea that gun owners are a monolithic vote, which they control. That’s not true--this year, we’re proving it.
Over the weekend, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund released its 2008 candidate ratings. My organization, American Hunters and Shooters Association (ASHA), did an analysis of the grades and endorsements, which show that the NRA continues to overwhelmingly support Members of Congress who have terrible records when it comes to protecting the environment.
The NRA clearly does not put any value on conservation. In the 2008 ratings, the NRA gave an average "A" rating to the 161 House Members who have poor conservation records – a score of 25 or below from the League of Conservation Voters - and an average rating of a "D" to the 210 House Members with strong records on environmental conservation – 75 or above from the League of Conservation Voters.
The NRA gave an average rating of an "A" to the 10 Senators running for re-election who have poor conservation records and an average rating of a "D minus" to the 6 Senators who are running for re-election with strong conservation records.
These ratings and endorsements from the NRA confirm what American Hunters and Shooters first reported in August: The NRA leadership overwhelmingly supports Members of Congress who put the interests of Washington corporate lobbyists ahead of the interests that hunters and sportsman have in protecting America's public lands.
AHSA’s earlier report, "SLASH AND BURN: Why Does the National Rifle Association Support Congress's Biggest Opponents of Conservation?" can be found here.
In our analysis, we looked at critical issues like the Roadless Area Conservation Act to protect America's National Forests from corporate loggers and clear-cutters; the 2005 Pombo-Gibbons Amendment that would have enabled the sale of public wilderness lands to corporate mining interests; and "Katrina Amendment" (Senate Amendment 1094), which recognizes the impact of climate change in future flood-control and other water resources projects. Those are priorities for America’s hunters and shooters--but not the NRA.
It's time for gun owners, hunters, and all Americans to repudiate the NRA's slash and burn culture war politics and join the movement to protect our gun rights and the lands we love.
That's why AHSA, on behalf of hunters, shooters and conservationists, gives the NRA an F.