Bloomberg dismisses NRA's power as 'overrated'

[michigandem58]

Source: Politico

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday that it was a "myth" that the National Rifle Association could destroy political careers.

"One of the things I decided to do in this last election was to support some candidates that were running against those that had great records with the NRA. Where the NRA was putting their money into one side, I decided to put my money into the other side," Bloomberg said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"We won four out of seven," he said. "And we won with a small amount of money. There is this myth that the NRA is so powerful."


Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2012/12/bloomberg-nras-power-is-overrated-152086.html

[yellerpup]

1. He's right.

It all comes down to money and Bloomberg has enough to fight back. It is inexcusable that we have so many in Congress who are bought and paid for by the arms and ammunitions makers. It's the money in politics that makes the NRA so powerful. The NRA writes the gun laws for this country. It isn't as if our representatives think about, study, and prepare bills to benefit the NRA because they are worried about what might happen if people aren't allowed to have guns in bars, and churches, and daycare. Was any politician EVER elected by putting this initiative forward? No, all they have to do is sign whatever the master puts before them and take the check. Bloomberg is all about making money work.

[Mr.Bill]

13. I was ready to post Of course he thinks that, he has more money than the NRA

But thank you for stating it so much better.

[valerief]

2. Why do I find it difficult to trust the judgment of this 1%er? nt

[randome]

3. Money should not have anything to do with it.

Obama is probably not part of the 1% but he's rich. Words should matter. Information matters. Money? Only when there is a direct link between it and an issue. In this case, I don't see one.

[valerief]

4. His criminal treatment of OWS has not been erased from my memory. And

what does PRESIDENT Obama have to do with this?

[axetogrind]

8. I'm with you!!!

Why would anyone trust this 1% after what he did to the Occupy movement in NY. His NYPD were brutal and out of control and that was at his orders.
Just shameful.

[underpants]

5. That is the first step that needed to be taken

Thank you Mayor Bloomberg

[Danmel]

6. There are many things I do not like about Mayor Bloomberg

But this is not one of them. He has consistently taken on the gun lobby. At least he has the cojones to do that.

[FreeBC]

7. Typical republican: "The crazies that set our agenda aren't that important"

They can keep saying that, whether it's about the Tea Partyiers, Anti-abortionists, Evangelical Christians, whatever... it doesn't make it true.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. 4 for 7 is better than 46% for 51% of the votes

Mayor Bloomberg must have old-style, upper crust Republican progressive
roots. Nelson Rockefeller, Ribicoff. Or maybe it's just NYC breeding.

I don't agree on him with everything, but at least he will act in the long
term best interest on issues.

The Republican Party could do worse than to turn to him if they ever
try to regain the mainstream.

[Blasphemer]

10. He used to be a Democrat.

His party-switch was political maneuvering.

[silhouete2]

11. He is definitely right

The NRA isn't all powerful as it used to be. They inflate their importance--kind of like Norquist does. The only ones afraid of the NRA are the politicians who have taken their money and now have to kowtow to them.

[jaysunb]

12. The Wizard of Oz,the NRA and Grover Norquist are all

the same. We need Dorothy and that little dog of hers

[hughee99]

14. I think it depends where you are...

I'm sure they don't have nearly as much power in New York City as they do in other regions.

[VPStoltz]

15. According to its web site, the NRA has 4.3 million members!

4.3 million!!!!!!!!!!!
60+ million voted for PrezO TWICE.
Who should have the pull?
Those people in Washington are beholden to US, not a little blip of an organization like the NRA.

[yellerpup]

16. How is it that a lobbying group has membership?

The lobby for the armament and ammunition manufacturers should be separate from the membership. Not all the membership wholeheartedly supports all the NRA's lobbying efforts. Yes, our representatives have been voting for the lobby that funds their campaign and provides other personal benefits.

[AZ Progressive]

17. Fuck the Arms Industry (which the NRA is the front of)

We the People are stronger than a single Industry. Also, remember how powerful was the Tobacco Industry? And look at them now.

[malibea]

21. You're correct!

You're absolutely correct. It is typical of bully behavior. All it takes is ONE PERSON or THING to initiate action against them and they foldup like a cheap suit! I speak from experience from high school-and I am now over 66 years old. The highschool "bully" wanted to be my best friend after I confronted and stood up to her. Nothing has changed; my grand daughter went through the same thing recently because she was small and cute. The would-be high school bully is now her protector and best friend and my grand daughter can't get rid of her!

It is time that the NRA are confronted and this, hopefully, is that time.

Why did it take the death of these innocent "babies" to arouse the resentment and resistance that is apparent now against the NRA? These cowards, the NRA, show nothing but cowardice and FEAR! Again, typical bully behavior.

[Fire Walk With Me]

18. This from the man who called NYPD his "private army". n/t

[Sgent]

19. Yea

because a pro gun control New Yorker has any idea what a southern democrat like Mary Landreu will go through in two years. If she votes for anything opposed by the NRA, she loses.

[marble falls]

20. Its not over rated. Its influence is out of porportion to its minority position.