Fri Jul 13, 2012, 11:25 AM

kpete (38,905 posts)

EXCLUSIVE: NRA Threatens Senators Who Support Campaign Finance Disclosure

Source: Think Progress

EXCLUSIVE: NRA Threatens Senators Who Support Campaign Finance Disclosure
By Josh Israel on Jul 13, 2012 at 11:19 am

NRA Lobbyist Chris W. Cox

In a letter opposing the DISCLOSE Act of 2012 — a bill to allow citizens to know what corporations and wealthy donors are paying for the “independent expenditure” attack ads enabled by the 5-4 Citizens United ruling — the National Rifle Association (NRA) is warning Senators it will score the issue in its legislative scorecard for this Congress.

The NRA opposes the measure — arguing that its “provisions require organizations to turn membership and donor lists over to the government” and would unconstitutionally abridge the right of citizens “to speak and associate privately and anonymously.” The legislation would merely require groups that opt to run outside political ads to tell voters which donors funded those efforts. By setting up a separate bank account for independent political spending, a group like the NRA would be able to keep its membership list private and would need only disclose the large money donors paying for the group’s campaign ads. Far from being unconstitutional, this sort of disclosure was explicitly endorsed in Justice Anthony Kennedy’s Citizens United majority opinion as “the less-restrictive alternative to more comprehensive speech regulations.”

In 2010, after supporters of the DISCLOSE Act agreed to exempt just the NRAfrom the bill, the group dropped its opposition. Now, without those special protections in the 2012 version, the group is taking no chances and is issuing a strong message to any Senator who might support political transparency. The NRA letter warns:

Due to the importance of the fundamental speech and associational rights of the National Rifle Association’s four million members, and considering the blatant attack on those rights that S. 3369 represents, we strongly oppose the DISCLOSE Act and will consider votes on this legislation in future candidate evaluations.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/07/13/516229/exclusive-nra-threatens-senators-who-support-campaign-finance-disclosure/

175 replies, 16374 views

Reply to this thread

Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum

Replies to this discussion thread

175 replies	Author	Time	Post
EXCLUSIVE: NRA Threatens Senators Who Support Campaign Finance Disclosure (Original post)	kpete	Jul 2012	OP
Ain't it funny that the RW demands citizens have photo ids and present them	sinkingfeeling	Jul 2012	#1
+1 000 000 000 - hypocrisy is the name of the RW game.	kestrel91316	Jul 2012	#27
Excellent point!!	Nancy Waterman	Jul 2012	#33
!	Bozita	Jul 2012	#56
Oh, yes	Canuckistanian	Jul 2012	#95
nice observation....	lostnote12	Jul 2012	#103
.	myrna minx	Jul 2012	#117
Arguably, the text of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment leaves the door open for positive identification...	PavePusher	Jul 2012	#162
I agree	permatex	Jul 2012	#163
Uh-OH!	MrMickeysMom	Jul 2012	#167
Sure looks like the NRA is trying to run the Country	trumad	Jul 2012	#2
also appears they're trying to collect a nationwide "militia" for coups and such	wordpix	Jul 2012	#7
Yes, something like this	siligut	Jul 2012	#109
NRA membership is a small fraction of America's gun owners	hack89	Jul 2012	#165
purely observation	wordpix	Aug 2012	#174
Well... if not run it...	MrMickeysMom	Jul 2012	#168
And we thought we got rid of organize crime	liberal N proud	Jul 2012	#3
All the coward blue dogs	boomerbust	Jul 2012	#4
Sounds like the NRA has something to hide.	brentspeak	Jul 2012	#5
No more than the ACLU	permatex	Jul 2012	#122
Is the ACLU also threatening to "take down" senators who vote for the Disclose Act?	brentspeak	Jul 2012	#137
Your predictions suck, don't buy lottery tickets.	permatex	Jul 2012	#139
Who in Congress is lobbied by the ACLU?	brentspeak	Jul 2012	#169
Oh don't give me this crap	permatex	Jul 2012	#170
The National Republican Association painting 'targets' on those friendly to openness?	onehandle	Jul 2012	#6
Amazing - the NRA and the ACLU agree on something.	hack89	Jul 2012	#8
Damn, that's amazing. nt	NickB79	Jul 2012	#11
So	atreides1	Jul 2012	#23
The ACLU agrees with Citizens United	hack89	Jul 2012	#25
The average American, including myself, does not understand how throwing money around	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#42
I agree. Just pointing out what the ACLU thinks. nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#44
I've always greatly admired the ACLU but this time I'm speachless. I just don't see their point.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#90
I'd like to point out how the NRA thinks.	safeinOhio	Jul 2012	#93
So Ted Nugent is a douche - is it a big shock? nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#94
Does that make the membership that	safeinOhio	Jul 2012	#115
Go ask them. nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#125
WTF? CU is free speech and disclosing donors is not free speech? ACLU, consider this donor	wordpix	Jul 2012	#128
apparently, ACLU has been taken over by the Reich Wing	wordpix	Jul 2012	#126
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#9
By that standard any group is a terrorist organization. nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#12
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#15
Ok - so you simply render the term "terrorist" meaningless	hack89	Jul 2012	#16
NRA's board of directors and leaders sure look like a bunch of terrorists to me.	Hoyt	Jul 2012	#19
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#43
No - that's just your irrational paranoia.	hack89	Jul 2012	#50
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#53
So the end result of the NRA's agenda has been what exactly?	hack89	Jul 2012	#58
More unstable people armed with guns and fewer things stopping them	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#72
And yet crime levels are falling	permatex	Jul 2012	#73
the reasons are many & complex, but usually have to do with community policing & social programs	wordpix	Jul 2012	#101
Let me rephrase my statement.	permatex	Jul 2012	#105
And this has created more shootings and deaths .... oh wait.	hack89	Jul 2012	#74
fearing a gun is rational	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#75
I don't fear firearms.	permatex	Jul 2012	#76
snooze	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#77
Hey, fear them if thats what floats your boat	permatex	Jul 2012	#79
why do you take offense at the simple word choice about an inanimate object?	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#80
I'm not taking offense over a simple word, all I said was why would someone fear an	permatex	Jul 2012	#81
Your concern suggests you do care	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#82
where did I say I care?	permatex	Jul 2012	#83
So now we go to the personal attacks	hack89	Jul 2012	#84
Yes, I am safer and I don't have a gun	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#85
Fortunately California is coming around	hack89	Jul 2012	#86
look, you care about guns and tax cuts way more than i do	CreekDog	Jul 2012	#87
I don't support tax cuts	hack89	Jul 2012	#88
You're supporting a republican thug organization	DisgustipatedinCA	Jul 2012	#150
Just a pro-RKBA Democrat	hack89	Jul 2012	#151
Here we go again	bongbong	Jul 2012	#96
You are the liar	hack89	Jul 2012	#98
I'll second what hack said.	permatex	Jul 2012	#106
Most anti gun zealots I've seen here resort to making up names, usually pretty juvenile ones at that	rl6214	Jul 2012	#110
H/she ain't going to put up some real facts	permatex	Jul 2012	#123
They willingly pump guns into the economy and don't care who they are arming.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#45
And the result of all those guns is what exactly?	hack89	Jul 2012	#51
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#55
There has been a 50 percent decrease in murder and manslaughter deaths since 1991	hack89	Jul 2012	#62
again, the drop in these crimes has more to do with increased community policing than with more guns	wordpix	Jul 2012	#102
Never said that more guns were the cause	hack89	Jul 2012	#127
I'm not sure the drop in crime relates to violent crimes with deadly weapons	wordpix	Jul 2012	#130
Not a problem - lets look at murder, manslaughter, assaults and robbery	hack89	Jul 2012	#132
most urban public schools now have social workers & after-school programs. Special ed also	wordpix	Aug 2012	#175
Are you kidding? I suggest you take the time to view Bowling for Columbine.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#91
I would rather look at real DOJ crime statistics. nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#92
You've been corrected many times	bongbong	Jul 2012	#97
You are the liar.	hack89	Jul 2012	#100
This message was self-deleted by its author	permatex	Jul 2012	#107
The NRA does NOT have a license to sell guns so please provide a link	rl6214	Jul 2012	#111
He didn't do that either. He said he thinks the NRA should be classified as	Tunkamerica	Jul 2012	#113
So surely you can prove your statement with a link	permatex	Jul 2012	#124
did you misread my response?	Tunkamerica	Aug 2012	#171
Except nothing the NRA has done fits any accepted definition of terrorism	hack89	Jul 2012	#129
Why?	permatex	Jul 2012	#13
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#14
Who.	permatex	Jul 2012	#17
Look at their leadership -- Norquist, John Bolton, Ollie North, Teddy Nugent, Chuck Norris, Barr,	Hoyt	Jul 2012	#20
They are dicks for sure	permatex	Jul 2012	#21
Literary and political license. Besides, the lethal weapons and laws they promote enable terrorists.	Hoyt	Jul 2012	#24
So tell me again	permatex	Jul 2012	#26
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#36
Links please	permatex	Jul 2012	#46
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#48
Here's how it works	permatex	Jul 2012	#61
They arm anyone without regard, they intimadate our legislature, they are terrorists.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#47
they arm anyone without regard.	permatex	Jul 2012	#78
The NRA cannot legally sell firearms so how are they arming anyone? nt	hack89	Jul 2012	#133
All I see here is a man holding a perfectly legal .50 cal. Barrett rifle.	permatex	Jul 2012	#28
why	donquijoterocket	Jul 2012	#30
Why shouldn't they be legal?	permatex	Jul 2012	#31
Need to turn that question around	hack89	Jul 2012	#40
Google Laurel Canyon B of A robbery.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#49
So? Not a single mention of a .50 cal rifle.	hack89	Jul 2012	#54
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#64
So you support citizens having to justify to the government the exercise of their rights?	hack89	Jul 2012	#66
A Barrett is designed to kill as many as possible in a short time?	permatex	Jul 2012	#70
Today's Catch 22 ought to be: If one has really gotta have one for these things, they can't	Hoyt	Jul 2012	#138
And you can prove this?	permatex	Jul 2012	#140
Yes, I can. Let's start by you telling us why you want one of these things, and why you think	Hoyt	Jul 2012	#142
Ok I'll play your little game for now	permatex	Jul 2012	#143
Winner!	smirkymonkey	Aug 2012	#173
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#37
I, again, went to the NRA website and, again, couldn't find anything like you claim.	permatex	Jul 2012	#57
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#59
So in other words	permatex	Jul 2012	#63
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#67
So, again, in other words,	permatex	Jul 2012	#69
Yeah, I've seen all of those news articles about the burglaries using .50 cals.	rl6214	Jul 2012	#112
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#35
How do they inspire more hatred and violence then, say, Al Queda?	permatex	Jul 2012	#65
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#116
Do you have any idea how inaccurate the so called terrorist watch list is?	permatex	Jul 2012	#131
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#118
And that means what?	permatex	Jul 2012	#134
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#144
So in other words	permatex	Jul 2012	#145
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#147
Your using the terror watch list, which BTW, has been condemned by all civil rights groups,	permatex	Jul 2012	#148
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#156
Back atcha	permatex	Jul 2012	#158
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#119
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#120
This message was self-deleted by its author	bupkus	Jul 2012	#121
they feed terror and divisiveness against Americans themselves	fascisthunter	Jul 2012	#149
Then I.m sure you've reported them to the FBI, amiright?	permatex	Jul 2012	#152
hahaha... keep lobbying for them	fascisthunter	Jul 2012	#155
Their day is numbered?	permatex	Jul 2012	#160
Yet unions have to ensure all members support the union's position, if these GOP	Suji to Seoul	Jul 2012	#10
K&R n/t	bobthedrummer	Jul 2012	#18
If money is speech	Mz Pip	Jul 2012	#22
"we strongly support corruption of our elections and voter suppression"	librechik	Jul 2012	#29
So it seems the NRA is pretty much the teabag militia. . .n/t	annabanana	Jul 2012	#32
Yep	47of74	Jul 2012	#34
Good thing there are more non-NRA gun owners then NRA members	hack89	Jul 2012	#41
At least the RWers aren't phoning in death threats like they did during the "immigration debate"	Kolesar	Jul 2012	#38
Are you saying the NRA encouraged that?	permatex	Jul 2012	#68
Oh, yeah, the NRA is a-gunnin' for ya. I know their current president.	DFW	Jul 2012	#39
Tell it DFW, amen.	xtraxritical	Jul 2012	#52
If somebody did shit like that during the Bush admin	Turbineguy	Jul 2012	#60
PING NRA fans from the Gungeon.	2ndAmForComputers	Jul 2012	#71
be serious	Kolesar	Jul 2012	#114
Thou doth not liketh Ye Olde Butcherede English?	2ndAmForComputers	Jul 2012	#166
The NRA	secondvariety	Jul 2012	#89
"blatant attack on ... rights [of NRA]" Really? Disclosing donors is freedom of speech!	wordpix	Jul 2012	#99
Now if CAIR had said something like this...	DBoon	Jul 2012	#104
I don't get it. The NRA used to be a group for people who believed in Gun ownership.	AJTheMan	Jul 2012	#108
This message was self-deleted by its author	permatex	Jul 2012	#135
Interesting article from the WaPo. on NRA dem endorsements for the House races.	permatex	Jul 2012	#136
I think the NRA's tranformation occured in the early 90s...	Odin2005	Jul 2012	#146
No - it was the AWB	hack89	Jul 2012	#154
Oh, I forgot about that!	Odin2005	Jul 2012	#157
Ironically, it was the gun controllers greatest victory that made the NRA what they are today	hack89	Jul 2012	#153
The NRA is going after Republican Debra Maggert from TN	Tippy	Jul 2012	#141
While it's far too late...	Jeff In Milwaukee	Jul 2012	#159
As a hunter	permatex	Jul 2012	#161
As a hunter	Jeff In Milwaukee	Jul 2012	#164
And The NRA Is Just A Single-Issue Interest Group? Yeah, Right.	Paladin	Aug 2012	#172

Response to kpete (Original post)

Fri Jul 13, 2012, 11:27 AM

sinkingfeeling (27,880 posts)

1. Ain't it funny that the RW demands citizens have photo ids and present them

to vote, but demand the people trying to buy our government be protected?

EXCLUSIVE: NRA Threatens Senators Who Support Campaign Finance Disclosure

1. Ain't it funny that the RW demands citizens have photo ids and present them

27. +1 000 000 000 - hypocrisy is the name of the RW game.

33. Excellent point!!

56. !

95. Oh, yes

103. nice observation....

117. .

162. Arguably, the text of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment leaves the door open for positive identification...

163. I agree

167. Uh-OH!

2. Sure looks like the NRA is trying to run the Country

7. also appears they're trying to collect a nationwide "militia" for coups and such

109. Yes, something like this

165. NRA membership is a small fraction of America's gun owners

174. purely observation

168. Well... if not run it...

3. And we thought we got rid of organize crime

4. All the coward blue dogs

5. Sounds like the NRA has something to hide.

122. No more than the ACLU

137. Is the ACLU also threatening to "take down" senators who vote for the Disclose Act?

139. Your predictions suck, don't buy lottery tickets.

169. Who in Congress is lobbied by the ACLU?

170. Oh don't give me this crap

6. The National Republican Association painting 'targets' on those friendly to openness?

8. Amazing - the NRA and the ACLU agree on something.

11. Damn, that's amazing. nt

23. So

25. The ACLU agrees with Citizens United

42. The average American, including myself, does not understand how throwing money around

44. I agree. Just pointing out what the ACLU thinks. nt

90. I've always greatly admired the ACLU but this time I'm speachless. I just don't see their point.

93. I'd like to point out how the NRA thinks.

94. So Ted Nugent is a douche - is it a big shock? nt

115. Does that make the membership that

125. Go ask them. nt

128. WTF? CU is free speech and disclosing donors is not free speech? ACLU, consider this donor

126. apparently, ACLU has been taken over by the Reich Wing

12. By that standard any group is a terrorist organization. nt

16. Ok - so you simply render the term "terrorist" meaningless

19. NRA's board of directors and leaders sure look like a bunch of terrorists to me.

50. No - that's just your irrational paranoia.

58. So the end result of the NRA's agenda has been what exactly?

72. More unstable people armed with guns and fewer things stopping them

73. And yet crime levels are falling

101. the reasons are many & complex, but usually have to do with community policing & social programs

105. Let me rephrase my statement.

74. And this has created more shootings and deaths .... oh wait.

75. fearing a gun is rational

76. I don't fear firearms.

77. snooze

79. Hey, fear them if thats what floats your boat

80. why do you take offense at the simple word choice about an inanimate object?

81. I'm not taking offense over a simple word, all I said was why would someone fear an

82. Your concern suggests you do care

83. where did I say I care?

84. So now we go to the personal attacks

85. Yes, I am safer and I don't have a gun

86. Fortunately California is coming around

87. look, you care about guns and tax cuts way more than i do

88. I don't support tax cuts

150. You're supporting a republican thug organization

151. Just a pro-RKBA Democrat

96. Here we go again

98. You are the liar

106. I'll second what hack said.

110. Most anti gun zealots I've seen here resort to making up names, usually pretty juvenile ones at that

123. H/she ain't going to put up some real facts

45. They willingly pump guns into the economy and don't care who they are arming.

51. And the result of all those guns is what exactly?

62. There has been a 50 percent decrease in murder and manslaughter deaths since 1991

102. again, the drop in these crimes has more to do with increased community policing than with more guns

127. Never said that more guns were the cause

130. I'm not sure the drop in crime relates to violent crimes with deadly weapons

132. Not a problem - lets look at murder, manslaughter, assaults and robbery

175. most urban public schools now have social workers & after-school programs. Special ed also

91. Are you kidding? I suggest you take the time to view Bowling for Columbine.

92. I would rather look at real DOJ crime statistics. nt

97. You've been corrected many times