HERNANDO -- Standing beside two hunting rifles and a shotgun on the DeSoto County Courthouse lawn, U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., Monday accepted the National Rifle Association's endorsement of his re-election to Congress from Mississippi's 1st District.
"I'm pro-life, and I'm pro-gun," Childers declared during a brief event Monday morning.
With 10 supporters behind him, Childers recalled his history in three years in Congress of supporting Second Amendment rights to gun ownership.
"I've always refused to back down when it comes to Second Amendment freedom," Childers said.
State Sen. Alan Nunnelee, Childers' Republican opponent in the Nov. 2 election, tried last week to blunt Monday's endorsement by noting the NRA has a history of endorsing incumbents -- Democrats or Republicans -- with favorable ratings by the gun-owners group.
Childers said he has maintained an A-plus grade with the NRA.
In his introduction of Childers Monday, NRA representative Howie Morgan of Oxford said the organization was "here to endorse a fine man who's been endorsing the Second Amendment rights of every American all across this country."
"The NRA, after a rather easy look at Congressman Travis Childers' record on the Second Amendment and guns, it was a very clear and simple choice for us to make," Morgan said.
In an interview before the event, Childers said he sees little difference between conservative Democrats and Republican candidates, who normally get the NRA nod.
"Southern Democrats have a long history of supporting the NRA, supporting Second Amendment rights. I'm no different from those."
Childers' campaign staffers also faulted a Nunnelee poll of 303 likely voters, taken June 8-9 with a 5.6 percent margin of error, that showed him with an eight-point lead over the sitting congressman.
"He's a very formidable opponent," Childers said of Nunnelee. "But we believe Mississippians will reward us for being an independent voice in Congress. We've done what we said we'd do. And north Mississippians expect you to keep your word. We've done that."
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Comments » 25
4walls writes:
“I’m pro-life, and I’m pro-gun.” That's an oxymoron Congressman.
Monty writes:
If I were a member of the NRA, I'd want my money back.
ben_n_tn#227393 writes:
Congressman Childers, if you were truly pro-life you would not have voted for radical Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. I will NOT be renewing my soon-to-be-expired NRA membership due to this endorsement.
Urbanut writes:
So does anyone support a candidate strictly based on the endorsement of the NRA?
molonlabe28 writes:
Wanna bet.
Carrying a gun to defend oneself doesn't equate with killing babies in their mothers' wombs.
Raccoon writes:
Yes, most aloof Republicans who are primarily interested in being seen with a gun on their paranoid hip.
Urbanut writes:
Someone is a little sensative.
proudlib writes:
Pro life? Pro Gun?
Another hick with no class.
Perfect for a state full of hicks where nobody wants to move. No wonder they have a whopping 6 electoral votes.
Santino writes:
Why?
Santino writes:
proudidiot, northern Mississippi is about 60% folks who were born here and 40% are folks who have moved here. Desoto county is one of the fastest growing counties in the US.
I can understand how someone from a dying city would be bitter. I'm afraid most of the rest of the country considers Tennesseans hicks also. Oh, well.
magmdotcom writes:
I'm sure they only do that to make left wing idiots pee their pants.
ChristopherTutor writes:
I can understand why those two statements would appear inconsistent on the surface, but they are not. Using a weapon to protect one's family and aborting fetuses are very different. The first seems a legitimate use of force to me. The second doesn't.
For example, if your logic is correct, it would be equally inconsistent for someone to say that they oppose gang violence but support policemen. Your logic is wrong.
And, no, I don't own a firearm.
ChristopherTutor writes:
Your ad hominem attacks are extraordinarily persuasive. How do you do it?
damfino writes:
I am one of Mr. Childers constituents and a lifelong voter. He is a member of the Democrat party, a corrupt organization. That alone will cost him my vote regardless of an endorsement. If anything, this will cause me to reconsider my support for the NRA.
sales#241644 writes:
So he should be "Pro Death" and anti constitution?
Would that make you like him?
Bergamot writes:
This NRA supporter will not be voting for Childers!
tonyjack writes:
I'm glad I tossed all those NRA invites I have received in the mail over the years...
txamac#413101 writes:
My problem with Mr Childers is that with him, you get Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the very liberal leadership of his party. I wonder how the NRA will endorse a candidate in her race for re-election.
maddog_fo writes:
I'm a life member of the NRA. Even though a few people endorse Childers, it doesn't mean I'll vote for him. The Democratic party might as well be called the Socialist party. The Democrats used to be the party of the working people, but it has become the party of the non-working people. Sorry Congressman, but it's guilt by association. You will become a casuality of your left-wing associates. I think Walmart is looking for some new greeters.
HellsBelle writes:
This man's support of Obama's "Porkulus" plan is what did him in with me. I'm a gun owner but couldn't care less that he has the support of the NRA. Right now, reduced government spending is the bigger issue on the minds of most.
angryrepublican13 writes:
"Pro Death and anti-Constitution". That sounds like a liberal democrat to me.
MagnaCarta writes:
Childers had 10 supporters behind him at this event? I wonder if Childers’ choice for Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, was one of them? Will Obama campaign for him this fall? This guy is dead in the water!
4walls writes:
Except that guns are much more likely to be used for what I'm sure you would considere are illegitimate uses of force: murder, suicide and domestic violence.
With respect to abortion it is a medical procedure and is undertaken for any number of legitimate medical reasons. When Congressman Childers grows a uterus he can control it anyway he sees fit. Until that time he has no say as to what the women of America do with theirs.
ThreeFiftySevenSig writes:
No one want's to move here? Have you looked at the black explosion here in Desoto county?
I rest my case. I wish they would stay out. I could live with 4 electoral votes.
angryrepublican13 writes:
The murder of an innocent child is not a woman's choice. If she chooses to drop her pants and have sex with a guy why should an innocent child suffer? Unless it's rape, incest or the health of the mother then it should be outlawed period.
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