By David Codrea
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- “For the first time in my 16 years on the NRA board there will be a recall on the NRA ballot,” NRA Director Todd Rathner notes. “I urge you to VOTE NO on the recall of Grover Norquist.”
Rathner characterizes the recall effort as an “attack” on Norquist. He writes the motive behind it is personal, by a “troubled” and “obsessed” individual.
“There are no allegations in the Recall Petition that have anything whatsoever to do with the NRA, its mission, purpose or programs,” Rathner assures us.
Perhaps. The petition and its supporting documentation appear to ignore an important issue that has plenty to do with NRA Bylaws purposes and objectives. And that distracts attention from Norquist’s support for “amnesty” while wearing his Americans for Tax Reform hat.
What’s that got to do with gun rights?
Obama’s Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson insists that illegal aliens have “earned the right to be citizens.” Democrat Rep. Kurt Schrader claims immigration will decide “who is in charge of this country for the next 20 or 30 years.”
All credible polling shows that this will result in millions of new anti-gun Democrat voters, establishing unchallengeable majorities in the legislatures, a resultant stacking of the courts through confirmations of anti-gun activist judges, and a reversal of all legislative and judicial gains enjoyed in recent years.
NRA Director Norquist demonstrated his priorities on another occasion when competing loyalties between guns and taxes offered incompatible outcomes. Case in point, he endorsed Bob Dold for Congress, even though it was known that Dold “supports restricting gun purchase & possession.” That penchant for infringements would later win Dold an award from the Illinois Council Against Gun Violence.
What further conflicts Norquist’s participation in the Hispanic Leadership Fund and the Council on Foreign Relations present remain to be identified.
Also of concern is Norquist’s continued alliance with Michael Bloomberg’s amnesty-supporting “Partnership for a New American Economy.” There’s a reason why Bloomberg believes that will advance his interests. There’s a reason why the Department of Homeland Security under Obama is “turning foreigners into citizens as quickly as possible.” There’s a reason why Hillary vows she’ll go further than Obama. And none of those reasons bode well for gun owners.
Bring all three branches of government into the “progressive” sphere, and gun owners can forget political and “legal” remedies. And don’t look for the insiders and players putting their names behind Norquist to get behind anything else when those stop working.
As far as the Norquist recall goes, it’s probably a moot point. The voices in his corner will easily drown out mine.The Fairfax establishment is solidly behind the guy, in no small part because of his connections and the doors he can keep open for them. Besides, Jeff Knox of The Firearms Coalition has estimated something like only 7% of eligible members even bother to vote anyway.
So if Norquist beating the recall is a foregone conclusion, what’s the point in calling attention to it?
Essentially to springboard off it to repeat what the gun groups won’t tell their members because they’ve been avoiding it: Immigration is a legitimate issue for the firearms rights community to be involved with, and importantly, for gun rights groups TO SCORE POLITICIANS ON. Which they won’t do.
It would be easy to dismiss this article as just another personal attack. It would be harder to explain how Norquist’s support for amnesty, combined with the “pathway to citizenship” will not result in overwhelming Democrat majorities that control the legislatures and the courts.
Who can do that?
So far, Norquist and his allies have ignored the specifics, offering only incomplete context historical references, opinions, anecdotes, wishful thinking and platitudes. Those aside, they’ve produced nothing to refute all credible polling reflective of current conditions. They’ve offered no numbers that can be independently validated to show anything less than a collective 70+% advantage in favor of the Democrats/gun-grabbers.
I wish they could. Truly.
Barring that, this Life Member is voting YES on recalling Grover Norquist. And I’m reserving my director votes for candidates willing to unequivocally (and correctly) answer specific questions so that an informed choice can be made.
That said, there’s a much more important concern than who sits on the NRA Board. There is an existential threat, not just to the Second Amendment, but to the Republic, what a friend and colleague calls the “cultural terraforming” of America. Any politician not working to remove that threat, and any lobby group enabling such a politician, is part of the problem. That’s no matter which “good” votes they’ve cast, because they’re making inevitable the day when those votes will no longer be enough.
See updates:
- Respectful Response RE: Norquist Recall Vote
- Rathner Response Would Be More Respectful if It Didn’t Dismiss Objections to Norquist
David Codrea in his natural habitat.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating / defending the RKBA and a long-time gun rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament.
He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” and also posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
I’ve been looking online for a vote count on the unsuccessful recall but can’t find it. My guess is it’ll be in the American Rifleman in a few months. I voted to recall Norquist. I trust Andy McCarthy & Frank Gaffney more than Bob Barr & company. I also only voted for new Director candidates who were not endorsed by the Board; my goal was to change the board completely. They should have ousted Norquist on their own, due to his Islamist connections. I abandoned any thought of contributing to NRA or buying any of their products, after two phone… Read more »
He is not one of us. He can not be trusted.
Please respect other cultures Mr. Codrea! The correct Arabic spelling is Groveler al Nor’Qu’isling, may his pomp and glory continue!
Peace be upon those who submit!
We do not speak or write in Arabic in the USA thank you very much.
You will if Groveler al Nor’Qu’isling continues to have his way with the NRA, may his pomp and glory continue!
Peace be upon those who submit, pay the jizya, wear the hajib, put their daughters in burkhas and treat women like chattel. Grovel to Mecca 5X/day. That’s all we ask!
He must GO
An NRA life member, this is only the second time I’ve voted.
I voted NO on the recall.
All the personal attacks, smear campaign, all seemed to be backed by supposition at most. It’s so sad to see the huge effort on a person’s integrity, but based on just guesses. Everyone does agree that he has been the most influential person in the last few decades to support decreasing government spending and decreasing taxes. There is no question on that. As to the accusations, just a bunch of made up innuendo.
Who gets to vote? Please be more specific about how we go about it. If I don’t get the magazine, what do I do?
I get the digital edition of American Rifleman, but there is NO ballot inside. Nothing for me to print and mail in. I’m a life time member. Shouldn’t I get a say in this?
I’m not sure– I thought digital subscribers eligible to vote would get a separate mailing– call
NRA Member Programs 1-877-NRA-2000 or email membership@NRAHQ.org.
You need to have five years continuous membership or be a Life Member or higher. For magazine options, call
NRA Member Programs 1-877-NRA-2000 or email membership@NRAHQ.org.
Rodger W. Hollister: As per the NRA. Where do you find that information? I was all over the NRA website and saw nothing on the Election period. In fact, nothing on even who the board members are, what their views are or anything much of anything on the site at all except how to donate money and a few Propaganda adds… Somebody please tell me where this missing information is and how to access it on the NRA website… Maybe it is time a lot more voting members did a little research on who is on the board. And as… Read more »
Vote no for Grover Norquist as per the NRA. I will. Roger
Tired of the liberals taking over everything and people just let it happen. Dump this ass hat if he is in anyway connected to The King of Anti gunners Bloomberg he is out. Do your job and do it fast. We don’t have to be members of the NRA we choose to be.
If a board member is not performing his/her duties they should be removed. Any elected official or representative who are a detriment to the organization should be removed. It should not need a special election or recall ballot. We have elected a president and executive board for this purpose. We are not seeking to replace the president of the NRA. The longer you let an infection exist, the harder it is to cure it. My wife and I are NRA life members. If you choose not to remove him, maybe you should resign your position as well. We have enough… Read more »
trumped: Yep. Do you hear the crickets?
Jack: Well “your” clearly not an author. For starters “your” illiterate. Anyway, what are you, a zebra? Does everyone have to look the same and take the same picture to make you happy? Looks like he’s next to a horse fence, not a marina, and I don’t see a mojito. What’s wrong with a lounging in his backyward with a cigar and a drink? Come to think of it, it’s a bit suspect that “your” focused on what he’s wearing, thinking about his butt and trying to get him to play dress up. Are you one of them insecure fellas?… Read more »
russn8er,
Making such a blatantly incorrect comment like that certainly does not do his anti-recall side any favors. I am sure he supported the recall process began by a small amount of voters in CO because it favored gun rights. He also probably saw the point I was making by asking if he hypocritically disapproved of recalls if he opposes the goal, but there is no room on our side of the debate to make up facts like that – we aren’t gun banners!
I wonder if at any given time, all gun supporters and gun owners and second amendment proponents always 100% of the time do and say everything the right way in support of our freedoms and liberties and gun rights?. I have seen outrageous comments from “gun guys” that are an embarrassment to pro-gun individuals and groups. If their comments or ideas were part of their “position” or status, they too would be ostracized and in some cases, kicked out (of whatever). I read an article in favor of Norquist….and now this one opposing….which is the truth?…..does it even matter?…. how… Read more »
Abs a flippin lutely!!
RDNKTXN: GRNC is Grass Roots North Carolina. OFF is Oregon Firearms Federation. Both competently run, loyal, no-appeasement, no-sellout organizations.
1. Vote him out on the recall.
2.The author believes himself to be a Hemingway style author with the photo he has at the bottom of this article…Come on, your pro 2A, not like a south Florida Mojito drinker..Plant your butt in some Levis and put a shottie over your shoulder broken open at the range…!
Maybe it is time the Members consider “term limits” for board members and everyone else Running the Organization… Allen G in the other article by tred law named a bunch of Reagon people and people that have been on the board since Hector was a pup…. Time voting members took this a lot more serious. Time the NRA sent the ballets separate and made a lot bigger deal of it…. Or is this what they want is nobody voting except there “INSIDERS???” All the references Allen G gave sounded like Washington insiders and Deal makers… Sorry, I don’t want to… Read more »
NRA board members should be pro-self defense gun owners.
Trumped: Good point. The rule is signatures equal to at least 25% of vote count in the prior election. Since turnout is a fraction of registration, only an idiot or a liar would make the claim Tred Law made. his other ridiculous implication is that no one should vote for a recall unless a big majority of the electorate signed the petition. If that’s the case, why ALLOW recalls in the first place unless a big majority of the electorate signs? It’s not a “loophole”, it’s a safeguard, and it’s the law. The clique that runs the NRA knows there… Read more »
Tred Law: nice try. What a load of idiotic double talk. Of course it IS a vote for whether or not Norquisling should be on the board. If you don’t think he should be on the board you vote yes. If you want a quisling on the board who collaborates with Bloomberg against the interest of the membership and for the demise of the USA, you vote no. It’s simple unless you’re a simpleton. The recall was “forced” on the subversive clique who have hijacked the NRA, according to NRA rules and by NRA voting members. VOTE YES TO RECALL… Read more »
Goodbye Norquist? Don’t bet on it. Not unless the sponsors took out ad space in the magazine, and even then. The corrupt, subversive, self-serving beltway clique that runs the NRA is in bed with Norquist, who is in bed with Bloomberg. They obviously see Norquist as a key part of their self-serving beltway agenda and they’re fighting to keep him no matter the cost to the alleged single issue of gun rights. Combine that with the clique’s overwhelming built in money and communication advantages and the fact that the vast majority of members have no idea what’s up and don’t… Read more »
“The corrupt, subversive, self-serving beltway clique that runs the NRA…” You’re being too kind with your description of the bureaucrats at NRA, Inc. If Chris Cox & Chuck Cunningham at NRA-ILA pay scum like Illinois state lobbyist Todd Vandermyde to betray Otis McDonald and 12 million people in Illinois by putting Duty to Inform in our 2013 carry bill, then there must be a least one more traitor at NRA HQ to cover for him. NRA is not a gun rights or civil rights org, NRA is a rotten front of traitors that actively promotes the criminal police state and… Read more »
You are mistaken. Your accusations against the NRA are like Trump calling Ted Cruz a liar. Groundless repetition of a false charge does not make it true. But it does work on the ill-informed.
But Ted Cruz IS a liar.
“Yes I did, 100%, because a substantial majority of the voters signed on for a recall of their representative.”
That is simply incorrect. A substantial majority of the voters in those two districts did not sign a petition to initiate the recall elections.
Who is tred law ??? you own this blog ???? You make your article into a story and it says nothing but what todd said ???? I spend my time writing a reply to your crap and it disappears ???? Thanks, but you logic is stupid, like I said in my conveniently lost rebuttal, your loophole is there in the bylaws of the organization to be used to “Clean House” of trash NOW when we need it, not 2 years from now. You are a lair too, as you know there are not 5 million voting members and as I… Read more »
Tred Law: Sorry, I disagree with you and you are “Weaseling” around the “FACTS” like norquist is always doing…. First, you are saying “loophole”…. It is not a loophole if it is in the LAWS of the Organization….. it is there for use for instances just like now…. It is there for members to “Clean House,” who where misled or given false info to reconsider there vote. Second, you are lying when you compare 450 to 5 million members…. You know very well that not all 5 million members have voting rights. And where did you get 450 members who… Read more »
@trumped Yes I did, 100%, because a substantial majority of the voters signed on for a recall of their representative. Unlike this NRA recall which only 450 individuals of 5,000,000,000+ plus members started a recall. Again that is .000009% minority that is disrupting the NRA organization. If you don’t like Norquist vote him out when his term come up. But do NOT be fooled into supporting this effort to undermine the NRA by a small bunch of antis that have found a loophole in the NRA and are using it to attack NRA board members. Vote NO on the 2016… Read more »
Tred Law,
Did you disapprove of the CO recall elections?
@Another Kansan (February 11, 2016 at 11:21 PM)
Did you even read this article before responding? If you did, you may want to work on your reading comprehension. Mr. Codrea lays out perfectly why Quislings such as Norquist are not needed.
OLE, you are right, in that you still do NOT understand. It is about the process, not about whether I like or you like Grover Norquist. The correct way to add or remove board members, that you may or may not like, is by regular board member elections. Every board member comes up for re-election every three years. The recall was initiated by a super minority of 450 petitioners out of 5,000,000 NRA members. That is called tyranny of the minority. This minority, taking advantage of a NRA bylaw loophole, has thrown the stable process or orderly elections into disorder,… Read more »
Why wait to get rid of Grover? Why call it a loop hole, it is there like the other rules. A few astute people became aware and alerted the rest of us, what is wrong with that? “…thrown the stable process of orderly elections into disorder…” Really? My ballot arrived on time. I sat down in the cool dispassion of my office. I considered the literature, the debate here, and some advice that I received, here, and committed my decision to paper. The USPS picked up my ballot. Deloitte and Touche are doing their job I presume. So… to what… Read more »
Furthermore, everyone is always screaming “dirty tactics” used in Government and “all the dirty deals” that are made and we need to drive all the “weasels” out of Washington D.C. [ and everywhere else ] but then turnaround and crawl in bed with these same “weasels”….. Sorry, you can’t have it both ways….. Either you want to clean up the situation or you are becoming just like them……………………………….
Right wing watch.org
tred law: I don’t understand your logic… It is the same thing the other article by todd said… How does dumping some one who does not look and smell like he is 100% above board and for what the NRA stands for make us look weak and corrupt? To me it makes us (and by us I me as a life member and all other members) look like we care how the NRA is perceived to the world and others who are looking for an organization to represent there believes in this country…. I have heard lots of people say… Read more »
Here is what everyone is missing and what Todd Rathner is try to get at. This is not a yes or no vote for Norquist to be on the board. This is an recall question that has been forced upon the NRA membership by a few anti NRA people who have found a loop hole in the NRA member bylaws. They are using it to create an issue where none should be and cause fighting among NRA members. If you don’t like Norquist you can just vote him out when his board term comes up. But if he is voted… Read more »
Recall This bastard who wants to infringe on our 2nd amendement rights ! I will support and defend all of the constitution of the United States of America !
@Russn8r,what do you really think about the NRA ? J/K,Seriously,I too have really become disillusioned with the NRA over the last 4 years. Protecting the 2A rights of its members has become a secondary agenda for the NRA. I still can’t get past what they said about OCT a year and half ago,then retracted. I am also a member of GOA but unfamiliar with GRNC and OFF !
As a Patron Member of the NRA, a member of the GOA and several other pro-gun organizations as well as being a former police offers, an NRA Instructor, retired Army Master Sergeant, I have routinely voted against Grover Norquist because he is anti-American, he supports CAIR and other Muslim organizations and works with K Street to subjugate the people of the United States to the United Nations and the One World Government. I totally and absolutely support his removal from the Board of Directors of the NRA and, most likely from the United States. This may be a tad over… Read more »
Don’t look like norquist will be infiltrating the NRA much longer. All the evidence points to him being a piece of garbage that will be thrown out !
Thank you David for the excellent article, bringing up points against Norquist that others had not. We need to get this weasel off the NRA board! There is a competing article also posted here on ammoland arguing in against his recall. I strongly resent the argument by Todd Rathner that Norquist’s ties to a group that supports and donates money to other terrorist organizations has nothing to do with the NRA’s mission. The 2nd Amendment should always be against any group that supports pro-Islamic terrorism, no matter how much money they might have or what their connections could do for… Read more »
Wasn’t Norquist tied in with C.A.I.R, an un-indicted co conspirator to fund islamic terrorist groups? Whichever way he was tied in with islamic groups it isn’t good, he’s got to go, and should’ve been gone when Glenn Beck also raised the alarm about him. It isn’t safe to have Anti-American spies in the NRA.
Being a retired Marine with considerable Hands on in your face combat operations time followed by 25 yr LEO career, I really look at the PC Police supervisors / Chiefs, who are against gun ownership. Especially since retired LEO, can apply for and receive a federal permit under US Code 218, Like most Politicians they seem to think their lives are more important then the people they get paid to serve and protect vie their TAXES. Most are only at the supervisor / Chief level because they Kissed enough fannies to climb over real LEO supervisors and street officers, who… Read more »
Case in point Portland, Or Ret police chief Mike REESE, teaming up with Gabby Giffords and Bloomberg!
Are you really too dumb to realize that over-immigration is THE long term gun rights issue, or just pretending?
The single issue argument is bogus and hypocritical anyway. NRA gets involved in all sorts of indirect gun rights issues, including campaign finance.
Roger Hollister/ Life Member
Norquist should be removed!
My vote goes for removing Norquist! Roger Hollister
By voting against Norquisling if you’re already a voting member. Otherwise by dumping NRA and joining GOA, GRNC or OFF instead. Last thing you want to do is give NRA’s beltway vampires more money.
Another Kansan, but giving amnesty to several million new anti gun voters is only going to reward gun banning politicians. Al Franken from Minnesota won by a margin that has been proven to be from illegals who should not have voted. Making them legal is only going to make sure more and more gun banners are elected all across the nation.
I am a nra member and havebeen for twenty years or more an I agree we need to remove grover norcrest we eed people who have the same standers as we do thanks for bringing this to my attention Albert. Orton
The NRA should support everyone who supports 2A rights, and not get into other issues. Grover Norquist is solid on 2A, and his position on other issues only helps grow the base of Americans who might support 2A issues. A vote against Grover is a vote against growing the 2A coalition.
How does one participate in the recall effort?
By becoming a NRA 5 Year or Life Member.
And if one is already a Life Member, how does that work
I heard that it’s in the Publication
Which one?
If I get the electronic version, do we have a link?
Does the NRA board care who NRA-ILA hire as lobbyists? NRA and Richard Pearson of ISRA did nothing to promote concealed carry for 20 years. Then they recruit Otis McDonald to sue Chicago because it’s trendy to have a black face for their lawsuit. After the U.S. Federal Appeals Court in Chicago totally overturns IL’s concealed weapons law in Dec. 2012, NRA contract lobbyist for IL Todd Vandermyde cuts a deal with the anti-gun Chiefs of Police to put Duty to Inform in Rep. Brandon Phelps HB183 carry bill. NRA made $1.3 MILLION in legal fees on the McDonald case,… Read more »
I have read both articles – for and against Grover Norquist. I like to be fair.
I have only one question – Why is he still on the board of the NRA? This man should have been removed ages ago!
He is one of the reasons the NRA has failed at truly standing up for our Rights!
From a Life Member and a disabled veteran to Grover Norquist – better catch “the next train out of Dodge”, the “sheriffs are hot on your heels”.
I VOTE YES on the Recall of Grover Norquist from NRA Board!
Say goodbye Grover.