Your Ad Here  

Shut Fox Down

Previous Page

2012-04-15 18:53:29 Romney Courts NRA Base at Weekend Convention

Transcript by http://www.newsy.com BY VICTORIA CRAIG AND ZACH TOOMBS ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS On the heels of Rick Santorum's exit earlier this week, Mitt Romney hopes to turn skeptics in his own party into supporters. Romney was in St. Louis, Missouri Friday to speak at the National Rifle Association's Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum. Fox News has his comments. "We need a president who will stand up for the rights of hunters and sportsmen and those who seek to protect their homes and their families. President Obama has not. I will." Of the NRA, Bloomberg writes ... "It's a constituency Romney must win over as he tries to consolidate his party's support before the November general election." The convention comes at a time when gun laws are coming under more scrutiny. CNN reports how the Trayvon Martin case provides an unusual backdrop for convention-goers. "This year's focus on gun rights is sure to include the Stand Your Ground Law and the self-defense claims central to George Zimmerman's defense." While Romney looks for support from the NRA, the Washington Times explains the NRA is also looking for support from Romney. "Mr. Romney's address...will give him the important opportunity to reach out to the gun-loving, conservative base that has seen the former Massachusetts governor as having taken stances all over the place in the past ..." MSNBC's Chuck Todd says, despite an inconsistent view on gun law, the NRA still believes Romney is the best candidate. "The NRA supports Romney, though with some reservations. Despite opposition when he was Massachusetts governor, when he backed some stiffer gun laws, the NRA warns that if President Obama wins he will use his power to impose a quote 'Massive anti-gun onslaught.'" St. Louis' KMOV explains Romney would benefit financially from winning over NRA support. "Consider that it spent 20 to 30 million dollars in past presidential elections, will probably spend more this year with mailings, phone calls, TV, radio, Internet and newspaper ads. And the NRA has more than four million dues-paying members." About 70,000 people are expected to have attended the NRA convention Friday and Saturday. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Eric Cantor will also attend the convention as part of the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum.

Your Ad Here