NRA Declines attending CCN's Townhall?

[R-Cubed]

CNN is reporting that the NRA has declined to send any representatives to CCN's "Guns in America" town hall.

I understand that the whole thing is going to be a one sided sham, but I don't see abstaining as a good move. Now they can say anything they want about the NRA without fear of being called out. directly.

What happened to Stand Up and Fight? I'm sure I don't have the whole story but I have to say I'm disappointed.

[rootuser]

CNN is reporting that the NRA has declined to send any representatives to CCN's "Guns in America" town hall.

I understand that the whole thing is going to be a one sided sham, but I don't see abstaining as a good move. Now they can say anything they want about the NRA without fear of being called out.

What happened to Stand Up and Fight? I'm sure I don't have the whole story but I have to say I'm disappointed.

The NRA cannot respond and burn any credibility on what you know is an ambush. There is no sense in risking live response to the pure poppycock that will be spouted. It's like playing cards at any number of card rooms in the state: You will be team played and you really have no chance in winning anything of significance. IF the townhall were straight up and regulated to the extent that it would have a level playing field, then fine. Instead the NRA can put out a well thought-out rebuttal in a press release and be done with it.

[readysetgo]

I was thinking when I heard about the sham that is this "townhall" that Obama should go head up with LaPierre.

Too bad. They must see it as lose lose.

[TRICKSTER]

CNN is reporting that the NRA has declined to send any representatives to CCN's "Guns in America" town hall.

I understand that the whole thing is going to be a one sided sham, but I don't see abstaining as a good move. Now they can say anything they want about the NRA without fear of being called out. Instead of flat out declining they should have made demands. On stage next to the "emperor", with the opportunity to ask him a few questions directly.

What happened to Stand Up and Fight? I'm sure I don't have the whole story but I have to say I'm disappointed.

When one decides to "Stand Up and Fight" one needs to be smart enough to not walk into an ambush and instead do so at a time and place that gives them the advantage or at least a fair chance.

[R-Cubed]

It might be a bigger lose not to show up.

There's never going to be an opportunity where they have the advantage.

Instead of flat out declining they should have made demands. On stage next to the "emperor", with the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Then they could make the ambush/unfair argument. Now, to the uninformed they look like they are scared, have something to hide, or are as unreasonable as Obama paints them to be.

They make it far to easy for Obama to say "It's hard to have a dialogue with someone who doesn't show up or negotiate."

Obama is saying kids are dying because of the NRA and he'll do it again tomorrow night and it will be undisputed.

[SuperSet]

Debating is not in the NRA wheelhouse. They're much better at behind the scenes stuff.

[Bainter1212]

I think Chris Cox could pull it off. Wayne Lapierre is not a very charismatic guy IMHO, and charisma would be necessary to win over even a small percentage of the unwashed masses who will be drinking this Koolaid.

[bazineta]

One does not simply walk into Mordor....

[sl0re10]

CNN is reporting that the NRA has declined to send any representatives to CCN's "Guns in America" town hall.

I understand that the whole thing is going to be a one sided sham, but I don't see abstaining as a good move. Now they can say anything they want about the NRA without fear of being called out. directly.

What happened to Stand Up and Fight? I'm sure I don't have the whole story but I have to say I'm disappointed.

sometimes the deck can be so stacked against you; there is no point in showing up. It's like going on the John Stewart show or something. No point.

[HPBrowningMK3]

Just because your opponent is offering you battle, it doesn't mean you should accept the invitation. You should instead force him to accept battle on your terms.

[hardcore4sure]

They should send Colion Noir

[R-Cubed]

It sickens me give cnn.com a web hit but look how it's already being portrayed:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/06/politics/nra-obama-gun-town-hall/index.html

The reason for not attending - "The National Rifle Association sees no reason to participate in a public relations spectacle orchestrated by the White House,"

The reason is- The only way to combat lies is with the truth. You have to tell the truth at least as many times as the lie is told.

Obama has said that the NRA is holding the country hostage, responsible for needless deaths. It is beyond me how, but a large percentage of people do not recognize CNN as liberal media. Those people will see this absence as an admission of guilt.

I agree that Wayne LaPierre would not be a good choice. Chris Cox maybe, but what about Colion Noir or Dana Loesch? Here is an opportunity to blow up some of the lies being told about who the NRA are and what they stand for.

The deck is stacked against every Republican Candidate in every Presidential Debate. Should they refuse to show up? Mitt Romney was ambushed and it was a lose. Ted Cruz was ambushed and he turned it into a win. The NRA has to take it's case to the public directly. Try to make this backfire on the president. After San Bernadino they started gaining public opinion. Polls are coming out that more people support concealed carry, and were against an assault weapons ban. This shift in momentum is the reason for Obama's urgent executive actions. He wants the momentum back for gun control, for himself and for the Democratic party. CNN is all too happy to help, and by not showing up and making their case the NRA may be helping him as well.

[glockman19]

I'm confident that the NRA will put on their own Town Hall meeting and it will be more balanced than the one they were invited to.

[Gringo Bandito]

They should send Colion Noir

Yup

[wireless]

The NRA cannot respond and burn any credibility on what you know is an ambush. There is no sense in risking live response to the pure poppycock that will be spouted. It's like playing cards at any number of card rooms in the state: You will be team played and you really have no chance in winning anything of significance. IF the townhall were straight up and regulated to the extent that it would have a level playing field, then fine. Instead the NRA can put out a well thought-out rebuttal in a press release and be done with it.

Yup. Excellent decision by the NRA. I'd rather not have public opinion in the hands of one anxious person who slips up trying to get their point across.