Some challenges we’re going to face in our issue in 2010, and they are numerous.
- MAIG is continuing to build itself into an increasingly virulent organization, and they are usage our local mayors to build political legitimacy. Personally, Bitter and I have a good bit of work to do in this area, as MAIG has signed up more than a few mayors in our respective districts.
- We have to be mindful of redistricting that will be happening post 2010, as a result of the Census. Texas stands to gain four seats. The only blue state that stands to gain is Washington. Pennsylvania will lose a Congressional seat. If the PA house doesn’t turn around, the Democrats will have a lot more input into redistricting than the GOP.
- We have to be involved in the primary process in both parties, but especially the GOP. The GOP stands to make substantial gains in 2010, and we want them to gain with pro-gun candidates. Since guns aren’t the first thing on people’s minds, this is going to be a real challenge. We won’t do the Second Amendment any favors if we replace good pro-gun Democrats with soft or anti-gun Republicans.
- The 2010 elections themselves are going to be critical. Bitter and I will certainly be busy with helping out NRA endorsed candidates here at the local level. Chances are we’re going to lose Harry Reid, so things are going to get more difficult for us in the Senate. Chance of the GOP turning the Senate are virtually nil, just because of who’s up. The House is a different matter, and we could switch that back to GOP control. Getting Nancy Pelosi and her cronies being out of power will be a good thing for our gun rights, but it’s probably not going to change much.
- Pennsylvanians get to elect a new Governor this year. We will finally be rid of Ed Rendell. All three GOP contenders are good on gun rights. We’re very lucky there. The Democrats are a mixed bag, with several candidates being rabidly anti-gun. We have to be cautious here.
It’s going to be a very interesting year, that’s for sure. But this year, we have an opportunity to change things. This will be our first opportunity to tell Obama and Pelosi what we think of their leadership.
Now that NJ has dumped Corzine, do you reckon Rendell is the most anti-gun governor in America or does he still have competition for that title?
A quick comment on WA (a blue state) adding a rep after the census. The BLUE part of Washington is concentrated in and immediatly around Seattle wich is one of the few parts of the state that has actually LOST population lately.
Depending on how much Gerrymandering goes on, it might actually be possible for the state to turn slightly purple. A lot will depend on the next set of elections in Nov 2010.
The gun-rights star is ascending, have no fear. 2010 promises to be a fascinating year.