The NRA finally made their official endorsement of George W. Bush for re-election today (or more accurately, the NRA Political Victory Fund did).  In addition to the above news release, they sent out an email (reproduced in the extended text section) that tries to rally members to participate in the Bush-Cheney campaign.

What I found interesting was the elephant in the room that Mr. Cox failed to acknowledge, specifically the President’s promise that he would sign an “Assault Weapons” ban renewal if it came to him.  Frankly, I don’t care if he didn’t think one would ever get to him.  That he would support such a thing tells me that he’s no real friend to gun owners, despite his past in Texas.  Sure, he’s better than John Kerry, but then a crack-addled syphilitic howler monkey with a case of diarrhea would be better than John Kerry.

So, I don’t think I’ll be enthusiastically running out to join the Bush-Cheney campaign.  If NRA really wants people like me to get out and vote for Bush, perhaps they’d be better served by sending out some of these to the members.

Below is the full test of the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund endorsement press release.  (Note that I have added a bunch of verbiage here to prevent the EE Acronym Plugin from munging the first couple of lines, which breaks EE’s use of eval() in the templates).

NRA’S POLITICAL VICTORY FUND ENDORSES PRESIDENT BUSH!

Today, NRA’s Political Victory Fund (www.NRAPVF.org) endorsed President George W. Bush for re-election to the White House.

“On behalf of NRA’s four million members and tens of millions of American gun owners and sportsmen I’m proud to endorse President Bush for re-election to the White House,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. “The differences between President Bush and John Kerry on issues of concern to gun owners and sportsmen couldn’t be clearer. John Kerry has never met a gun control bill he didn’t like. He has voted against gun owners more than 50 times as a U.S. Senator, and has accepted the endorsement of the Humane Society of the United States-one of the most virulently anti-hunting organizations in America,” Cox added.

“NRA stands with President George W. Bush on November 2,” said Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President. “If you believe in freedom and want to preserve the Second Amendment for future generations, vote to re-elect President Bush and Vice President Cheney. In the United States we have a long tradition of hunting and sport shooting,” stated LaPierre. “President Bush and Vice President Cheney both love to hunt and fish. They know the Constitution guarantees people the personal right to bear arms. And, they want to pass the values of our Nation on to a new generation.”

President Bush: Friend of Gun Owners

• The Bush Administration stated, “that the text and original intent of the Second Amendment clearly protect the right of individuals to keep and bear firearms,” reversing the Clinton Administration position that the Second Amendment only applies to state militias;
• President Bush sent representatives to the United Nations with a clear message: we will not allow the UN to impose international regulations that would violate the Second Amendment and infringe on our sovereignty;
• George W. Bush respects America’s sporting and hunting heritage. His administration signed an agreement with 17 major sportsmen’s organizations to improve hunting and fishing access to Federal lands, and initiated a conservation agenda to protect millions of acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands for future generations of hunters;
• As President, he gave money to prosecute federal gun crimes through Project Safe Neighborhoods and signed a national Right-to-Carry law for law enforcement officers;
• President Bush knows that holding the American firearm industry responsible for the acts of criminals is wrong. That’s why he supported the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,” to prevent reckless lawsuits against lawful American businesses.

John Kerry: A Gun Owner’s Worst Nightmare

• Kerry voted in 2004 to ban most center-fire rifle ammunition, including the most common rounds used by deer hunters, siding with Ted Kennedy, and said in a CNN interview, “I think you ought to tax all ammunition more, personally, I think you ought to tax guns.” (“Late Edition,” Nov. 7, 1993);
• Kerry cast numerous votes to ban guns, and currently is a co-sponsor of S. 1431, which would ban all semi-automatic shotguns, all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, and many other guns commonly used by sportsmen;
• Kerry voted to effectively shut down gun shows in America; voted to hold firearm manufacturers responsible for the acts of criminals; and voted 11 times to impose waiting periods on law-abiding gun buyers;
• Kerry has a 100% voting record with, and earned the endorsement of, the Brady Campaign (Formerly Handgun Control, Inc.)-a group that says you have no right to own any gun. And, he repeatedly earns the support of PETA and the Humane Society of the United States-groups who openly want to ban all hunting in America.

Chris Cox summed it up well: “Without a doubt, John Kerry and John Edwards are the most anti-gun presidential ticket in our country’s history.”

Not understating the importance of the November 2 election for the future of our Second Amendment rights, Wayne LaPierre concluded, “The future of our freedom is at stake on November 2. Join with us, and ask your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen to join with us, in voting for a freer and stronger America. Vote to re-elect President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.”

There are a number of ways you can get involved with the Bush-Cheney re-election efforts:

1) The Republican National Committee (RNC) has put together a sportsmen specific 72-Hour Deployment plan. This entails sportsmen and sportswomen from “non-target” states traveling to “target” states to organize sportsmen during the last 72 hours of the campaign. A 72-Hour Task Force Volunteer must be willing to participate in grassroots activities such as walking door to door, mailing literature, and phone banking. He or she must be willing to commit at least five to seven (or even more) days of his time to the 72-Hour Task Force Volunteer Program (though if you can only volunteer a couple/few days, you will be utilized). Each volunteer would need to commit to arriving in the assigned target state no later than the evening of Thursday, October 28, and stay through Election Day. Travel and hotel expenses would be covered. In addition, volunteers will receive a per diem for food. (The RNC will make your travel arrangements.) If you or someone you know can help with this endeavor, please contact Angela Hill at (202) 863-8600 or via e-mail at: ahill -at- rnchq.org. WHEN CONTACTING ANGELA, PLEASE LET HER KNOW YOUR ARE AN NRA MEMBER AND SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORTER!

2) Please contact your local NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC), who is a local NRA member spearheading our pro-gun volunteer campaign efforts. To locate your EVC, please visit NRA’s websites (www.NRAILA.org or www.NRAPVF.org) or contact the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE-8683.