Debate Magazine

Bloomberg and La Pierre

Posted on the 25 March 2013 by Mikeb302000
bloomberg_lapierre.jpg
Shown here are New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, and National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre. (AP) 
Fox
NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre on Sunday challenged New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to spend $12 million on ads meant to pressure senators into backing strict new gun control measures, saying Bloomberg "can't buy America."

Bloomberg's pro-gun control group Mayors Against Illegal Guns is launching the campaign in states where senators may be on the fence regarding a package of firearms proposals making its way to the Senate floor. As the push for that legislation appears to falter, President Obama plans to soon tour the country to talk about the need to reduce gun violence, a senior administration official confirmed to Fox News. Bloomberg also confirmed Sunday that he plans to spend $12 million to run ads in at least 10 states, suggesting there could be a political price to pay for opposing the measures.

Making clear he intends to be a counterweight to the NRA, Bloomberg said he wants to make sure the powerful gun lobby is not "the only voice" in this debate. If he can achieve that, Bloomberg said, "then I think my money would be well spent."

LaPierre bristled at Bloomberg's comments.

"He can't spend enough of his $27 billion to try to impose his will on the American public," LaPierre said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "He can't buy America."
Bloomberg said he wants to ensure that the NRA is not the only voice in the debate. La Pierre said "He can't buy America."  What a perfect illustration of one man being reasonable and the other being a bullying fanatic.
Wayne doesn't like the idea that the gun control side of the debate might be equally represented.  Like any bully, it makes him nervous.  It's a frightening prospect that the millions spent by the NRA, to "buy America," might be matched or even outdone by his opponents.
By outdone I mean, communicating clearly to the voting representatives that by voting against gun control measures they are not representing their constituents. They are simply doing the bidding of the gun manufacturers.
Sooner or later this will cost them.
What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.


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