NRA in Louisville: Piling on Obama

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, 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.

The popular accessory at today's event was an NRA-distributed sticker reading "I'm a 'bitter' gun owner, and I vote." Obama's comments regarding rural American have been turned into ammunition against him by the NRA. and the prospect of an Obama Presidency seemed to be more than some could bear at todays forum.

I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote: Politicker photo The hits against the senator are too numerous to list completely, but here are some of the most glaring examples:

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

"Barack Obama is one of those liberals who thinks he knows the words the founders would have put into the Constitution if they were alive today" -- Former Republican presidential candidate and Massachussetts Gov. Mitt Romney

"Someone who says that Americans cling to guns or religion because they are bitter doesn't say it because he misspoke. He says it because that's what he really thinks. And here's what I think: he's dead wrong." - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)

"Can you imagine how Barack Obama's Supreme Court would decide these issues?...This is the guy who voted against the right of a homeowner to defend himself in his own home. -- Romney again, on gun rights cases.

"John McCain signed the brief. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama did not. Enough said." -- U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), speaking about the amicus curae brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in opposition to Washington, D.C.'s ban on handguns -- a ban currently being tested for constitutionality in the case District of Columbia v. Heller.

"You probably thought you shot trap and skeet because it was fun and competitive, but according to Barack Obama, that’s not true," -- Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, again referencing Obama's "bitter" comments.

"It would be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don't have enemies. But thats not the world we live in. Until Senator Obama understands that reality, the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgement, and determination to keep us safe." -- Presumptive GOP nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

"That was Barack Obama...He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he, he dove for the floor." -- Former Republican Presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, after an off-stage noise distracted him and the crowd.

ALSO on PolitickerKY.com:

• NRA in Louisville: Obama campaign responds to the flack

EARLIER on PolitickerKY.com:

• NRA in Louisville: Mongiardo avoids directly referencing Obama, while Rove swings away
  
• NRA in Louisville: Quotes of the forum