Richardson speaks to the NRA, by video

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 3:43 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray and Lauren Appelbaum
Will this line work with Democratic primary voters? For the general election, sure. But primary voters?

Here is Richardson today addressing the NRA confab, via videotape (emphasis is ours): "As a governor, a westerner, a supporter of our individual freedoms, and a Democrat, I urge all NRA members to stay involved in the election of candidates of both political parties. In America, we have a long and honorable tradition of solving our problems in a bi-partisan manner. Your voice needs to be heard. When I'm president, it will be. Today, I am proud to join you in celebrating freedom. And I thank you for your support."

Richardson's support for gun rights isn't a surprise, however. As NBC's Chuck Todd has constantly said, Richardson is perhaps the NRA's favorite presidential candidate of this cycle -- from either party.

Richardson spokesman Tom Reynolds tells First Read that the governor's position on guns is a winner in the primaries. "In a state like Iowa, gun ownership and hunting is something that's an important value to caucus-goers," he says.

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Comments

I obviously don't speak for all caucus goers, but I am certain that gun ownership and hunting is not something that's an important value to me. I'm thinking that is more a value to conservative caucus goers than liberal caucus goers - and unfortunately for Richardson, the former cannot participate in the Democratic caucus.

Personally, I think the NRA's voice has been heard enough. I certainly don't think it needs to be heard anymore than it already is and has been.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 3:52 PM)

Jimmy Stewart (the Pilgrim) in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance":

What's wrong with everybody?
Is everybody out here gun happy?

The GOP sure seems to be.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:04 PM)

"Happiness is a warm gun" -- The Beatles

nuanced (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 5:19 PM)

Ok, According to Richardson God wants Iowa to be the first caucus state, Iowa is in the top ten states at risk of a terrorist attack, and Iowa caucus goers value hunting and gun ownership.

What the heck does he base this crap on? Conversation with God? US intelligence data?

The fact that Richardson has the highest NRA rating of any candidate from either party is not a plus. Caucus goers have never exceeded 20% of registered Democrats. While a lot of Democrats hunt (in total #, not necessarily %), I doubt hunters make up a large number of caucus goers.

More importantly being a hunter does not mean a person is opposed to regulations. I have never hunted, and have no desire to hunt, but as I understand it you don't need to use an AK 47 to kill a deer. Unfortunately all you need is a car, but that's another matter altogether.

Thanks Bill for helping to improve our image!

Molly, Iowa City (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 6:04 PM)

Scarborough is a biased republican hack. I only watch when he is gone and mika or willie giest hosts. other than that I tune to cnn. not great but better than the alternative.

Why do republicans hate America???????????

leon houston (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:59 AM)

The second amendment has absolutely nothing to do with hunting, it is about protection for the individual and for the nation as a whole. You leftist loons want to rid us of our guns, I ask you to look at the 20th century and tell me how many people were killed by their government. That is the point of the second amendment, individual ownership as a check of government power and as your god given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Not the National guard that was created in 1917, not the police that have been ruled not to be responsible for any particular individuals safety only the people as whole, just the individual.

Lane, Onawa, Iowa (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 12:37 PM)

Advice to all Presidential Candidates, planning on bagging a Deer in Iowa while campaigning. Take the carcass to the Oran Locker for butchering. They have a Venison,Beef,Pork Sausage mix that is the true, 'Taste of Iowa', unless of course, you're a Vegan. Then it would be, 'Corn on the Cob'.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 2:21 PM)

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Hunting and self protection are only part of the second amendment it is also to deter a tyrannical government from imposing its will upon the people of a free country. Remember the first three words of the constitution We The People our government is having a problem remembering that.

Larry Minneapolis, Mn (Sent Saturday, September 22, 2007 5:36 PM)

People need guns to protect us from Blackwater terrorists! They sell guns and they have guns, I want mine too.

Wally Austin, TX. (Sent Sunday, September 23, 2007 5:21 PM)

Reasonable restrictions by unreasonable (and ignorant) people doesn't seem very reasonable to me.

Frankly Frank (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 10:41 AM)

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