For the past ten years, rural Democratic-leaning voters who own and use firearms have been telling me they wish we had a Democratic candidate who is strong on their interpretation of the Second Amendment.
For the past ten years, I’ve been reassuring these same people that the Democrat who is actually on the ticket won’t initiate restrictions on guns.
This year, in Ohio, we have an NRA-endorsed Democratic incumbent Governor who is in a tough race.
I’m happy when I see the NRA endorsement, because I’m thinking all those gun rights rural Democratic-leaners I’ve been listening to for years will come out in droves.
Finally, they have their candidate, and he needs them.
“Our members will interpret your ‘A+’ rating and endorsement as an indication that you are a pro-Second Amendment, pro-hunting candidate who supports sportsmen and gun-owners on every issue,” said Chris Cox, the chairman of the NRA’s Political Victory Fund, in a letter to Strickland.
Except, I’m not feeling it. They’ll vote for Strickland, but I was expecting enthusiastic support, on that single issue.
So, to the Second Amendment Democrats, how important is an NRA endorsement? I know you’re not single-issue, or you would be supporting very few Democrats.
Is this issue a big plus to you as an individual voter, or just one less negative?