To: JakeStraw who wrote (280508 ) 3/17/2006 4:26:57 PM From: tejek Respond to >Their members are mostly Republicans. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the NRA has contributed more than $15 million to political interests (mostly Republican) since 1990. It reportedly spends millions more annually on so-called issue ads and other forms of propaganda." 72.14.203.104 The legislation has long been a top priority of the NRA and other gun- rights groups, but has never passed the Senate. The time now seems ripe, however, since the 2004 elections produced a Republican majority of 55 seats, which along with some Democrats in support means the bill has 61 co-sponsors in the 100-member body." huffingtonpost.com In the last election cycle, gun defenders gave $3.4 million, mostly to Republicans." 72.14.203.104 "The biggest jump came in the 1994 election cycle when the NRA PAC spread $36,725 among 90 state legislative candidates, mostly Republicans. Nationally, the NRA played an important role in financing the Republican capture of the U.S. House of Representatives, and they played a similar role in North Carolina in 1994 by helping Republicans win a majority of seats in the General Assembly for the first time in the 20thCentury. Although it tilts heavily to Republicans nationally, the NRA has been careful to give to key Democratic leaders in North Carolina. Records show that it gave the Senate Committee within the state Democratic Party $6,000 in 1998." 72.14.203.104 however, more Republicans tend to agree with its views than Democrats, and this is reflected in the number of endorsements. The NRA's policy is that it will endorse any incumbent who supports its positions, even if the challenger supports them as well."72.14.203.104
