NRA Endorses Phil Bryant
Earlier today, Phil Bryant received the backing of the National Rifle Association, probably the most coveted endorsement from an organization in Mississippi (or at least right there with Mississippi Right to Life). Bryant got them both in the past week.
Chris Cox, chairman of the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund and executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, said this in a letter to Bryant: “Your rating and endorsement are based on your positive responses to NRA-PVF’s candidate questionnaire and your strong record of leadership on issues of importance to gun owners and sportsmen as presiding officer of the Mississippi Senate. Working together we have secured protections for shooting ranges in the state, so that both civilians and law enforcement officers will have safe places to train and shoot for years to come, and we have worked to loosen restrictions on where law-abiding carry permit holders may legally defend themselves. We thank you for your steadfast support of our Second Amendment rights and wish you the best of luck in your campaign.”
Bryant said this in receiving the endorsement: “As a Lifetime Member of the NRA and former Law Enforcement Officer, I am so very pleased to receive this endorsement. As a gun owner and defender of the Second Amendment, I believe the work of the NRA is critical in protecting our freedom. As Governor, I will always be true to this mission.”
As for organizational endorsements, the big one that remains out there is the Chamber of Commerce.
For a trip down memory lane, here is some classic WAPT footage from the 2007 campaign. After the NRA endorsed Haley Barbour, John Arthur Eaves called a camera crew to his house to show his collection of guns and argue that he is the real sportsman in the race.
I never thought I’d say this, but….I gotta go with JAE on this one. At least in part. In a state like Mississippi the NRA shouldn’t give an “endorsement,” it should give a “beware.” In other words, say “All these candidates get the NRA seal of approval except candidates X, Y, and Z.” Just about everyone in the race is probably deserving of the endorsement, except Johnny Dupree of course (because of his MAIG membership). Picking just one candidate to endorse when everyone pretty much believes the same thing has always struck me as kinda weird. The same could be said for the Right to Life groups’ endorsements.
All that said, this seems to be a pretty good get for Phil. It should pay off very well for him if he rolls it into some commecials.
I’ve seen instances in the past where groups, I believe this was MSRTL or some pro-life org, sent out a flier with endorsements and then also listed the other candidates as pro-life or acceptable, something along those lines.