NRA

LOUISVILLE - The remarks of presumptive Republican presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) at Friday's National Rifle Association Leadership Forum not surprisingly revolved around gun rights.

The senator has not had a perfect record with the NRA, and has come under their criticism in the past for supporting background checks for firearms purchased at gun shows. He addressed this history today and stuck to his position on the matter.

"Over the years, I haven't agreed with the NRA on every issue. I have supported efforts to have NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System] background checks apply to gun sales at gun shows," said McCain. "I recognize that gun shows are enjoyed by millions of law-abiding Americans. I do not support efforts by those who seek to regulate them out of existence. But I believe an accurate, fair and instant background check at guns shows is a reasonable requirement."

LOUISVILLE -- Amid a day of ceaseless criticism at the National Rifle Association's Leadership Forum in Louisville, the Kentucky campaign of presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) released a statement particularly focused on comments made by his potential Republican opponent.

"The 2000 version of John McCain stood up to the NRA, saying that they shouldn't play a major policymaking role in the Republican Party. But the 2008 version of McCain is more concerned with playing election-year politics," said Obama Kentucky Campaign Director Carolyn Tandy.

LOUISVILLE -- Even though today's National Rifle Association Leadership Forum took place in Kentucky -- a state where presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) leads her primary opponent, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), by 27 points in recent polls -- it was Obama who got the "presumptive nominee treatment" at the forum.

Of course, that treatment means Republicans did not cease attacking him for the entirety of the day's events.

"I dont believe our nation can survive four years of Barack Obama" - Author, talk show host, and Iran-Contra figure, Lt. Col. Oliver North

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville): Politicker Photo

LOUISVILLE -- Kentucky's senior U.S. senator, Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), was honored by the National Rifle Association at Friday afternoon's NRA Leadership forum in Louisville with the annual "Defender of the Constitution" award from the organization. After receiving the award, McConnell's speech went a long way toward showing why he was in the group's good graces.

"I happen to believe more guns in lawful hands means less crime," said McConnell. "I'm sleeping well tonight knowing the NRA is in town."

LOUISVILLE-- While some comments from speakers at Friday's National Rifle Association Leadership Forum have already been widely reported, a few other gems may have slipped through the cracks.

Here are just of few of the more significant or humorous lines of the day:

• "Does that make us clingers or does that make us Klingons? I don't know, I don't get it." - former Deputy Chief of Staff for George W. Bush, Karl Rove, referencing Senator Barack Obama's (D-Illinois) earlier statement that some rural Americans "cling to guns and religion."

• "It is important that you sign this, because we want to protect every citizen's right to be shot by the Vice President." - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), on what she told Vice President Dick Cheney to get him to sign the Amicus Curae brief opposing the Washington, D.C. handgun ban.

LOUISVILLE -- The National Rifle Association's Leadership Forum held in Louisville today falls amid a period of limbo for those on either side of the gun control issue. As gun rights advocates gather for the NRA's annual weekend meeting in Kentucky, the United States Supreme Court is considering a case that is seen by legal analysts to be one of the first genuine tests of the Second Amendment.

"This will be the first time in almost 70 years that the Supreme Court will rule on a Second Amendment case. Its decision will have major implications on all Americans," said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

"We have the case before the Supreme Court that is our very best chance, maybe in our lifetimes, to have this settled clearly and unambiguously," Hutchison continued.

LOUISVILLE -- Following up on recent debates over Senator Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) proposal to engage in discussions with nations hostile to America's interests, presumptive Republican nominee and Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) fired a verbal shot at Obama on the same issue today while speaking at the National Rifle Association's Leadership Forum in Louisville today.

"Senator Obama would meet unconditionally with some of the world's worst dictators and state sponsors of terrorists. I would not add to the prestige of those who support violent extremists or seek to destroy our allies," said McCain."

"I have some news for Senator Obama," McCain continued. "Unconditional meetings with the man who calls Israel a stinking corpse and arms terrorists to kill Americans will not convince Iran to give up its nuclear program. It is reckless to suggest that unconditional meetings will advance our interests."

The stage at the NRA's Leadership Forum: Politicker photo

LOUISVILLE -- Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) added to the heap of jabs being thrown towards Presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) during his remarks this afternoon.

Like Karl Rove -- who took the stage earlier with a similar tact -- Huckabee referenced Obama's so-called "bitter comments" at the beginning of his speech.

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or anti-pathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," said Obama at a San Fransisco fundraiser in early April.

Karl Rove at today's NRA Leadership Forum

LOUISVILLE -- Kentucky Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) was the first elected official to speak at today's National Rifle Association leadership forum, keeping his remarks focused on hunting and outdoors activity, but also discussed the attitudes of those who support certain gun control legislation.

Mongiardo -- who recently endorsed presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) -- did not reference his choice, during his speech.

Thus far through the leadership forum, Obama has been the favored target of many speakers. The NRA is distributing hundreds of stickers that read "I'm a 'bitter' gun owner, and I vote," referencing Obama's now-infamous comments about rural working-class voters.

I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote: Politicker Photo

LOUISVILLE -- Thousands of members and supporters of the National Rifle Association are gathered in Louisville this weekend for the organization's annual meeting.

The political highlight of the event is this afternoon's Leadership Forum, which is just underway. The list of speakers scheduled is a full slate of prominent state and national figures, topped by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

NRA President John Sigler kicked the forum off and introduced NRA CEO and Vice President Wayne Lapierre.

Kentucky's Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) is also on the schedule early in the day. He replaces Gov. Steve Beshear at the event, who was earlier set to appear.

Another Kentucky guest is scheduled just before McCain this afternoon. Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) will speak to the assembled guests.