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Radio Spots about Senator Max Baucus run by MSSA Quotes by Senator Max Baucus Comments about NRA contributions to Baucus News Releases about Baucus by MSSA Comments from Montanans and concerned gun owners about NRA financial contribution to Senator Baucus Re: NRA's failure to contact state and local organizations about Baucus, and giving NRA money to Baucus "The NRA giving money to a congressman whose swing vote helped enact more unconstitutional federal gun control is immeasurably insulting. On behalf of our members in Montana and nationally, I am not only appalled, I am furious. What is the matter with NRA's misguided management? Haven't they learned that you cannot buy politicians -- they are only for rent, and only temporarily. Shame on the NRA for selling us out again." Angel Shamaya, Founder/Executive Director, KeepAndBearArms.com The only effective approach to broken promises is a constant drumbeat of listing promises made and broken to the local, state and national media, NRA, etc. during the election year. It seemed that every time Baucus was about to break a promise we saw him in a photo op, jogging with Clinton a few days before. I have contacted the NRA about support for local politicians and received pretty much the same fodder. Makes one feel that a Life Member of NRA is nothing more than a grain of sand on the beach. Dean Anderson, Lewistown Just received your e-mail regarding the NRA's political donation to Max Baucus. I too am a life member of NRA, but after the changes in the nineties by the "New" NRA, such as approving and endorsing anti-gun proposals, I changed my pro-gun cash contributions from NRA to GOA. This new stab in the back by the NRA reinforces the fact that I made the right decision. Leonard A. Shauer, Billings Tell me something I don't know. NRA had better not endorse Max Baucus, Democrat, for U.S. Senate. Corey Stapleton, Montana State Senator Max Baucas has betrayed gun owners and Montanan's. Why would the NRA endorse such behavior with money? I have terminated my membership with the NRA because of such practices. The NRA is a huge bureaucracy that can't provide informationabout/ nor endorse /give money to proper elected representatives. This total lack of responsibility, is why I choose to spend my money and time else ware. While I am defending my country over sea's I don't need the NRA selling out to disloyal politicians. Scott Marbut, SFC, USA I have been a dues paying member since about 1974. When I ran the McDonald for Congress Campaign in 1980 and the NRA endorsed Williams for reelection. I contacted the NRA at that time and expressed my displeasure. I have done so on many occasions since. I have basically given up on the NRA/ILA and just do not send any money EVER to this political wing of the NRA. Their support for Baucus is shocking given his voting record this last term. If I could reach them I would suggest to the NRA that this is likely Baucus last election. If he is reelected I would expect that Max will no longer feel any reason to 'toe the line' on 2nd Amendment issues. If his votes on the Brady Bill and Assault weapons/ magazines does not disqualify him from getting NRA support what would? I have never became a 'life member' of the NRA specifically because of what I feel are their self defeating support of bad candidates. If they support Baucus for reelection it may be the last straw for me. He will surely turn on gun rights in his 6 year lame duck term as the NRA and Montana voters will no longer have any ability to threaten his political career. The NRA needs to get a grip on this. It is likely that Baucus will not be successful in his reelection bid. The support of the NRA is critical for him and for his opponent. The NRA will make the difference between victory and defeat of Baucus. Max does not deserve the endorsement of the NRA or the votes of gun owners. If the NRA endorses Baucus I will be disheartened enough to cease being a dues paying member. This saddens me greatly because of how strongly I identify with the NRA. This is the proverbial 'fork in the road', the decision is the NRA's not mine. I pray that they punish Baucus for his wrong votes. If they do not many of us will punish the NRA by withdrawing our support of that organization. RJ Brewer - Dayton, Montana This is why I don't join the NRA. Saying one thing and doing another. The hypocrisy is staggering. My money goes to GOA where it will do some good. If the NRA changes and takes a sterner and more effective approach like GOA then I might change my mind. David Wiechecki As a NRA member, I am definitely disgusted that the NRA has contributed to Max Baucus. You can bet I will remember that when the next NRA-ILA contribution request shows up in my mail. His 1994 "assault rifle" ban vote revealed what he really is and what he really is is no friend of gun owners. Jim Swain, Helena, MT I can put my opinion of this fiasco (funding Baucus) very simply, although I may have a little trouble with the polite language. A couple of years ago, just prior to the 2000 election, NRA, in their magazine America's First Freedom, endorsed Max by naming him to a list of Democratic legislators that voted with the Republicans on EVERY gun issue. I was shocked. Evidently the folks at AFF had never checked Max's voting record. Although at the time not being an NRA member, I attended the NWMACA banquet in (I believe) 1983. Max was the guest speaker. He was brought out there by Warren Cassidy, at the time the Executive V.P., the position currently held by W. LaPierre. Max, at that time, fervently promised that he would NEVER do anything to hurt honest gun owners. That lasted ten years. I have since become an NRA Life Member, and one of my biggest quarrels with the organization is their sloppy record-keeping on legislative voting records. Max is one who votes Liberal, and runs Conservative. He has done this without fail. Some of the other members of the NWMACA that I can remember that also witnessed this were: Les Bauska, Paul Willis, Paul Beckstrom, Shirley and Bill Wise, plus many others (banquet attendance was over 150 members of the NWMACA (Northwest Montana Arms Collectors Association, who put on the two Annual Kalispell Gun Shows, and have since 1958.) What is the problem with these idiots in the NRA-ILA? Can't they read a voting record? Tracy Robertson, Kalispell This is why I've cut way back on my contributions to the IRA. I'd rather send my contributions direct to organizations and candidates that I trust will do the right thing. It is a shame that NRA National no longer merits that trust. I'm ready for a housecleaning there at the highest levels! Joseph A. Klein I have been a life member of NRA for 30 some years. It was getting harder and harder to figure where NRA was coming from so a couple of years ago I cut up my Life card and my wife's Annual card and returned them, with a letter explaining why. I guess I can't resign since I am still getting the Rifleman, and probably still being counted in their membership numbers. Doug Millard As fellow life member I find it outrageous that the NRA will support those Benedict Arnolds. Gregory Bitterman Giving Max Baucus money from the NRA is like giving Hitler money from Jewish organizations. I also am a life long member- several decades- but this is exactly the reason I never became a life member when it was much cheaper then now. I want to be able to with draw my support. I have given extra donations many times over the years but I will quit if we don't quit rewarding our enemies. Some talk a good fight but talk without action is hot air. Lawrence Smith The NRA claims Baucus "...has voted right lately, and that the NRA cannot turn its back on this good behavior." The question is: "If your spouse cheated on you only one night out of four, would you overlook her deceit?" I seriously doubt it and see no reason gun owners should be asked to do so either! But the NRA does! Larry E. Bigham I twice joined the NRA and twice let my membership lapse because of foolishness like its giving money to Max Baucus. The NRA tactics virtually guarantee that the most we ever can hope for on the national gun control front is a draw. This is because even if Baucus never votes for another gun control measure, he also will never vote for a repealer. And we need Senators and Representatives who will vote for repealers. The NRA's conduct, unfortunately, is a good example of a lobbying group making sure it doesn't win too big, so that it can still scare citizens into giving it money. From now on, my money and support goes to organizations that remain true to their members and to our cause. Rob Natelson, Missoula, University of Montana Law Professor, Constitutional historian, and former Republican candidate for governor Just a note to let you know I think the NRA is making a big mistake financing Max Baucus' re-election campaign. I find it very disturbing. As you stated he alone is responsible for probably the most onerous and invasive pieces of anti gun legislation foisted on honest citizens, the Brady Act. I am a life member of the NRA and a director in the Big Fork Gun Club. I am also active in the North Valley Sportsmans Club and the NW Montana Arms Collectors Assn. Tom Oppel, Bigfork I have no intention of voting for Max Baucus when he comes up for re-election next year. His "conservative" side only comes out when he is running for re-election. He is not a true friend to gun owners and he is certainly not a true friend to Montana. I am distressed that you would contribute to his campaign without consulting those of us who live here. Thanks to him, Bill Clinton further restricted our right to own firearms. In the future, give us a voice where you spend the money we send you. As an NRA life member, I will in the future consider very carefully any contributions I give to you for political purposes. Daryl Taramasso, Stevensville MT I was shocked to read your message that the NRA has given campaign contributions to Max Baucus recently. Max lied to and betrayed gunowners when Bill Clinton was president and to now have the NRA reward him with dollars is another betrayal. I too am a Life member of the NRA. If I was an annual member I doubt that I'd renew knowing this. Max is bad news for gunowners and should not be trusted. Though he may have recently voted for gunowners he's shown that he blows with the political winds. He knows that gun rights are important to Montanans but he should also know that Montanans have good memories. Better memories than the NRA it would seem. Dan Lilja, Plains, MT I have become increasingly disenchanted with nra positions and actions in recent times. They are apparently pursuing a course of appeasement and compromise with the anti-constitutional socialists like Feinstein, schumer, Clinton; etc. max baucus is a perfect example of a politico feeding at everyone_s trough and the nra going along with such traitors. It is time to stand up and declare to such people that you are either for us or against us. And if you are against us, we will do everything we can to see you defeated for political office. Jim H. It sounds like the NRA has become a master of the Plausible Denial Doctrine by subdividing its entities. Gary's synopsis of how everything works is right on line and more people need to know the inner workings of the NRA. I am angry to know part of my dues go to Max and how he sold us out. When the NRA took the stance ( I will not differentiate between the seprerate entities within the NRA, All are part of the whole) that they had to reward Max for the votes he has made since that have been favorable I am mad. If Max wants to admit that he made a mistake and made a bad vote in public and in writing and reaffirm his commitment to the 2nd Amendment then I don't have a problem with them giving him funds. Its not Democrat vs. Republican its the 2nd Amendment plain and simple no negotiation. I have more to say but will do it in person. Greg Mohr, Justice of the Peace, Sidney I too am an NRA member. I have written numerous letters to the leadership complaining of their support for politcians who vote for gun control. I have received no response or a noncommittal response. Now when I receive solicitations for money from NRA, I throw the letters in the trash. Lonnie Renner Thanks for the information about NRA's contribution to Max Baucus' reelection campaign. As of now, I will no longer contribute to the political action coffers of the NRA. I will increase my contribution to Neal Knox and to the 2nd Amendment Foundation instead. Frank Albini, Bozeman MT Did I not tell you repeatedly that I am very leery of Sen. Baucus. Joe B. I am not a member of the NRA and it is precisely for reasons like the one mentioned in your article about the NRA contributing to the election campaign of Senator Max Baucus that I am not a member. I am a member of Gun Owners of America because they seem to always make the right decisions and are only motivated by what is truly good for the American sportsman. Now I would be the first to agree that the NRA does many good things and supports many issues that I whole heartedly agree with. I do not consider them to be in competition with GOA 90% of the time. But they also make decisions like the one mentioned in your article about funding Baucus' campaign that I just cannot agree with. And for that reason and a short list of others the NRA does not get my $35 annual check plus other donations that I instead direct to GOA. I have many friends who are life members of the NRA and even hold positions in the local chapters. They frequently campaign me to join them because I am very vocal about my feelings on constitutional rights. But I cannot join an organization that doesn't always do what is right and funding Max Baucus is just plain wrong. If they want to fund him then first get him to campaign to repeal the Brady bill and Feinstein's Assault Weapon and Magazine bill. If he actively campaigns to have these bills repealed then maybe the NRA should consider contributing to his campaign. Christopher Dodge I am outraged that the NRA would give money, some of which is mine, to a gun grabbing politician. I hope you will start up a petition drive for NRA members so we can stop this. The only reason I would see them doing this is if he changed his ways and I as a member would like to see the proof, please keep up the heat. Derrick G. Callihan As an NRA life member I read with anger your article revealing the NRA's support of Max Baucus. I can't add anything to what you said other than to allow you to use this life member's name in demanding that NRA clean up its act. It's a betrayal by NRA to take my money and support an anti-gun pol. Peter Gadiel I have already notified the NRA that I will not be re-newing my membership until they clean up the ILA. I'm never sure where they stand now. For a long time it was the appropriate legal avenue, speaking for NRA members. Of late, it seems that one or all of the ILA are buttering up to those that would force more gun control and in sponsoring....or at least supporting CARA, they now have moved into the arena of infringing on property rights. Once it goes back to the "old" NRA of which I was a member for over 50 years I will then renew my membership. In the meantime, my funding goes to organizations that are 100% behind the right to keep and bear arms. Chuck Heron I was shocked but not completly suprised to find that the NRA gave Max some of my money. As the elections come closer I have noticed that Max has tried to move a little to the right when he thinks he can get away with it. After the last elections he knows that he is on shakey ground and will talk out both sides of his mouth to save his job. I hope in the future that the NRA doesn't take one small vote and not look at the big picture of the long history of "anti-gun voting". As a NRA member I expect my money to be spent wisely. Gil Conrad, Great Falls, MT As a Life Member of the NRA I would like you to know that I am appauled at the FACT that the NRA is giving Max Baucus any support whatsoever. If the NRA is giving him any financial support it is beyond all belief. Senator Baucus was the deciding vote in the Brady Bill and also in the Feinstein Assault Weapons Ban and Magazine Limitation. For this action I for One can say that this leopard has changed his spots and betrayed the Voters of Montana. For this reason all support for Senator Baucus, by the NRA should be stopped immediately. Senator Baucus will just use this monetary support to be spun politically into saying that the NRA does support his actions. Please forward this letter to the appropriate persons in the NRA. It is action such as this that have placed The Bill of Rights under the sandpaper of our Congress. With each and every stroke of the hand, Congress is Hell-bent on eroding not only the Constitution but the Bill of Rights. If we as members of the voting public do not let our voice be heard then we must be satisfied with the actions and results of a Congress such as ours. As a member of the Custer Rod and Gun Club it is my duty to forawrd this to you. Thanks for keeping a tab on the Senators and Representatives that put out smoke screens and then say they are standing up for our RIGHTS. This is not always the case. Miles Milligan, Miles City, MT I have been paying a "Life Membership" to the NRA. I was very disturbed about the NRA's bedding with CARA, and now they have funded a political enemy and have bedded with an anti gunner. This really proves that the NRA only cares about their agenda, and not that of it's members..... so from here on out I will not support the NRA that does not support the better interest of gun owners and especially the gun owners of Montana. I am canceling my membership with the NRA as a result of their political bed hoping. I do not support anyone or any organization that supports Max Baucus. Jonathan Erdmann, Kalispell, MT I have been saddened by several actions by the NRA leadership, so it comes as no surprise they are up to their old tricks. I am an NRA member, but no longer donate any money to them. They simply do not care how the membership feels about issues. They have become an organization that would rather compromise our rights instead of protecting them. Their support of Project Exile, CARA, and gun-grabbing politicians, shows they are no longer representing the interests of the membership. The NRA needs new leadership with a no compromise attitude. My donations go strictly to no compromise organizations, like COA and GOA. The NRA will have to follow suit before they see my money again. Thank you. Terry Johnson I have become quite disenchanted with the ways and procedures of the NRA in general. The NRA has become too much a part of "the system" which encumbers our rights guaranteed by the second amendment. It appears that much of their action is guided by their desire to self-perpetuate themselves as a lobby, and to keep their offices within the NRA. I have been a continuous annual member of NRA for over thirty years, but am beginning to give serious consideration to letting my membership expire without renewal. The NRA seems to be "giving" the game to the opposition anyway, so why waste MY money on them. I personally would urge the NRA to immediately take a "no-compromise" position on second amendment issues, similar to that of the GOA, of which I am also a member, and to which I shall be giving ALL my support should I decide to withdraw from NRA. I have lost a great deal of respect for the upper administration of NRA, including Wayne LaPierre, Jim Baker and others. I am even beginning to strongly question my admiration of Charlton Heston. And this deal with Senator Baucus serves as one more straw on the camel's back! Joel Roy I am a woman, a shooter and a NRA member. I have just read the information about the NRA contribution to Max Baucas. I regularly contribute to the NRA above and beyond my membership dues and work constantly to bring new members to the NRA. While a I realize that any organization that I belong to will not always take actions with which I agree, this strikes me as contradictory to the stated purposes of the NRA and a slap in the face to its members. One of the characteristics that I have come to admire about the NRA is their (seemingly) uncompromising stance on our Second Amendment rights. But, this information shakes my belief in that regard and causes me to think that my loyalty has been misplaced. My reputation as a supporter of the Second Amendment is important to me and I do not want my integrity to be compromised by actions such as this. Diane Coe There have been several things over the past couple years that have really irked me about NRA and how they operate. Won't try to mention them, but this situation with Baucus is "the straw that broke the camels back" with me. I intend to not renew my membership with NRA when it comes due in January, and I too have been a long standing member. I feel my support of gun-rights groups would be better utilized with GOA, CCRKBA, JPOF and any others who "take a hard line" to our 2nd Amendment rights. I admire Charlton Heston, to a point, but think and feel that Wayne LaPierre is "A WIMP", and is not really "totally committed to our cause. Others that I have spoken with over the past couple years feel the same. Jim Skipper Thanks for sending this because it mirrors my thoughts and feelings exactly. At the time Baucus sold our secound amendment down the river he was holding a farm group meeting in Shelby. I questioned him about the reversed position he had taken on SA rights. He stated that, " I just had to vote my conscience in light of recent events." He was refering to a school shooting. Apparently his conscience does not include his sacred oath to uphold the constitution and the many letters he sent me on gun issues stating he would never take any action to compromise the secound amendment. If the NRA are going to financially support this kind of spineless individual they will recieve no further support to the ILA or PVF from this life member. By playing the political game instead of sticking to principles they have become part of the problem. Dave Broberg, Cut Bank, MT Baucus has been a real anti-Montana when it comes to our guns, mining, logging and access to land(he supports road closures) and our rights in general as Americans.I will not support NRA any more until NRA Supports all the right people( this does not include Baucus). Maybe we should all send a ban Baucus sticker to NRA instead of our dues!!!!!!!!!! They might get the hint. Eric Alexander, Martin City MT I have donated money to NRA-ILA in the past but this sort of thing has convinced me to give any money above my membership to GOA rather than to the NRA. We have to make it very clear that those who oppose us, even once, will not get support in the future. This is especially true if it is an important vote. Tony Lekas I have been supporting the NRA for years, I always try to answer their call for funds in what they call a fight of our life.Sometimes I feel that we just keep paying for rights that are our constitutinal right,so I often wonder if the gun protectors are in with the gun grabbers in a large money generating game.Now I learn that they give money to somebody who backs Diane Feinstein,very disappointing. Richard Gonzales I'm calling the nra today to cancel my NRA memebership, because stuff like that is what is hurting our gun rights, thanks for the information. I'm also letting my nra friends know about this..... this has got to stop. Sgt Arthur J. Barrett I just returned home from a long trip and found in my mail your message concerning the NRA and their contributions to Max Baucus. Thank you. I find the NRA's actions to be a blend of callous arrogance, treachery, and contempt towards their members. Especially Montanan's. What to do? As for myself, I left the NRA some 25 years ago when they decided to support a new government agency known as the Law enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA). This new federal agency provided funds to police departments throughout the country to "improve" their ability to fight and investigate crime. What it really did was remove local control of police departments and placed it in the hands of the Feds through the money departments received. Anyway, I voiced my opposition to NRA leadership explaining to them their support of the LEAA would at some point result in tyrrany. I received my, "Thank you very much" letter and was assured that every thing would be all right. After all they were the experts. The LEAA in no small fashion has brought us were we are today. Another thing worth mentioning since I'm on the soap box, is the fact that men, such as Bob Stewart, manufacturer of the Madi Griffin .50 cal. rifle kit, receive no support from the NRA as they fight a legal battle for their very freedom. So, funding traitors like Max Baucus is worse than a double standard. It can even be described as evil. My suggestion to anyone at this stage is to keep any donations to defend your liberty as close to home as possible. Period. Men needing pay checks and counting on 401k plans for their retirement are not going to be pulling at the oars against the strong currents of tyranny the despots in government continue to create for us. Gary, once again thanks for all you do! God bless. Tom Farrenkopf President, Citizens to Preserve the Second Amendment You can forward to NRA that if they are going to waste my dues on the likes of turncoat Max ( even though he has be voting "right" lately) they are doing the same thing as trusting Clinton with their daughter! They have just lost my faith in their 'good judgment's and my dues! Ben Uselman, Billings, MT