The National Rifle Association endorsed Bob McDonnell today in the Virginia Governor’s race. The NRA has over 120,000 members across the Commonwealth. In 2005, the NRA endorsed Creigh Deeds over Bob McDonnell in the Attorney General’s race, so one has to wonder what changed over the course of four years.
Here is the statement released by the McDonnell campaign:
Speaking about the endorsement, McDonnell remarked, “Over the course of my career in public service, I have worked to protect and uphold the Second Amendment rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment rights of law abiding Virginians must be respected and protected. That is what I did while serving as Virginia’s Attorney General. We worked to stop unauthorized attempted straw purchases by outside agents operating in the Commonwealth. We moved quickly to make the Commonwealth one of the first states to file an amicus brief in support of the individual right to bear arms in the historic Supreme Court Case of District of Columbia v. Heller. As governor I will continue to defend the individual right to keep and bear arms, and stand on the side of Virginia’s law abiding gun owners. The National Rifle Association is committed to protecting our constitutional rights and I am honored to receive this endorsement.”
Speaking about the endorsement, McDonnell remarked, “Over the course of my career in public service, I have worked to protect and uphold the Second Amendment rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment rights of law abiding Virginians must be respected and protected. That is what I did while serving as Virginia’s Attorney General. We worked to stop unauthorized attempted straw purchases by outside agents operating in the Commonwealth. We moved quickly to make the Commonwealth one of the first states to file an amicus brief in support of the individual right to bear arms in the historic Supreme Court Case of District of Columbia v. Heller. As governor I will continue to defend the individual right to keep and bear arms, and stand on the side of Virginia’s law abiding gun owners. The National Rifle Association is committed to protecting our constitutional rights and I am honored to receive this endorsement.”
Chris Cox, NRA-PVF Chairman and NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director noted, “Bob McDonnell is an effective leader for Virginia hunters and gun owners. His opinions and actions as an attorney general have protected and enhanced the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians. His zero-tolerance attitude toward criminals makes him the best choice for governor. We ask every Virginia hunter, gun owner and Second Amendment advocate to vote McDonnell for Governor this November.”
Of course, there are some naysayers on the left who claim that this might help Creigh Deeds. Blogger Not Larry Sabato claims that this will give Northern Virginia liberals another reason to pay closer attention to the differences between the two candidates.
Creigh Deeds has remained silent on the issues of core importance to this campaign, such as improving the economy and addressing the issue of transportation. If Northern Virginia liberals are disengaged, what makes anyone believe that this could energize the Deeds campaign?
