Bloomberg Plans a $50 Million Challenge to the N.R.A.

[FarmerRick]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/us/bloomberg-plans-a-50-million-challenge-to-the-nra.html?rref=politics&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Politics&pgtype=article

Michael R. Bloomberg, making his first major political investment since leaving office, plans to spend $50 million this year building a nationwide grass-roots network to motivate voters who feel strongly about curbing gun violence, an organization he hopes can eventually outmuscle the National Rifle Association.

Mr. Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, said gun control advocates need to learn from the N.R.A. and punish those politicians who fail to support their agenda — even Democrats whose positions otherwise align with his own.

“They say, ‘We don’t care. We’re going to go after you,’ ” he said of the N.R.A. “ ‘If you don’t vote with us we’re going to go after your kids and your grandkids and your great-grandkids. And we’re never going to stop.’ ”

He added: “We’ve got to make them afraid of us.”

The considerable advantages that gun rights advocates enjoy — in intensity, organization and political clout — will not be easy to overcome. Indeed, Mr. Bloomberg has already spent millions of dollars trying to persuade members of Congress to support enhanced background check laws with virtually nothing to show for it.

What is more, for many gun owners, the issue is a deeply personal one that energizes them politically, said Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, who dismissed the mayor’s plans.

“He’s got the money to waste,” Mr. Pratt said. “So I guess he’s free to do so. But frankly, I think he’s going to find out why his side keeps losing.”

The N.R.A. had no comment.



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[landon410]

I think spending $50 million isn't creating a grass roots movement, its buying one

although the libs were wrong, wasn't it was they said the tea party did, a fake grass roots movement?

[bkoenig]

I think spending $50 million isn't creating a grass roots movement, its buying one

although the libs were wrong, wasn't it was they said the tea party did, a fake grass roots movement?

[RobertH]

sounds like a great way to waste $50 million.....

[thirtydaZe]

Talk about having a hardon for doing nothing but pissing off ½ the country, for no other reason than pissing off ½ the country.

[NE Bull]

Bloomberg- the NRA's best fund raiser!

[RedBird]

Bloomberg threw a large amount of money at Mayors Against Illegal Guns too. That didn't work out very well either


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[bkoenig]

Bloomberg threw a large amount of money at Mayors Against Illegal Guns too. That didn't work out very well either


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Not to mention a TON of money into the Colorado recalls, and he got spanked there.

You can buy a lot in the realm of politics, but you can't buy grassroots enthusiasm.  Other than a small core of crazies, left-leaning voters just don't get excited about gun control.  It's something they're in favor of, but not something they're typically passionate about.  It's more of a tag along issue.

That's not to say there's nothing to worry about.  Bloomberg is a serious threat to our freedom.

[landon410]

a democrats "grass roots movement" is buying homeless people food to get them on a bus to take them somewhere to protest and or vote multiple times

[Mudinyeri]

If I was more mischievous I would figure out a way to "help" him start that grassroots initiative and spend some of that $50 Million.

[shooter]

 I get mail from all the anti gun groups, It costs them to send it to me, and I put a piece of steel in the return envelope, so they pay for that to

[NENick]

If I was more mischievous I would figure out a way to "help" him start that grassroots initiative and spend some of that $50 Million.

I think you're plenty mischievous for that ;-)

[CliffD]

He added: “We’ve got to make them afraid of us.”

I'm guessing they shouldn't have banned the Big Gulp. It would have been a helluva lot more intimidating than bottled water.

[RedDot]

If I was more mischievous I would figure out a way to "help" him start that grassroots initiative and spend some of that $50 Million.

YES!!  They advocate "teaching gun safety and responsibility"(as they see it), so what better way to do this than to take their money and use it to organize a 3-gun competition or an Appleseed-type rifle instruction camp.  Those both seem perfect examples of practical gun safety being exercised.

[Mudinyeri]

YES!!  They advocate "teaching gun safety and responsibility"(as they see it), so what better way to do this than to take their money and use it to organize a 3-gun competition or an Appleseed-type rifle instruction camp.  Those both seem perfect examples of practical gun safety being exercised.

Yup, we're thinking along the same lines.  Of course, it's all in how your write the grant request.

[FarmerRick]

I'm not sure how other members feel, but I surely don't want ANY of Bloomberg's money associated in ANY WAY with the NFOA.