An influential anti-gun group is targeting Clint Eastwood’s potential Oscar nominee “American Sniper,” but it might be the group’s corporate sponsors — including the NFL — that get blasted in the assault.
The Washington-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has given critics of the upcoming movie a Facebook outlet to rant about the subject of the movie, sniper Chris Kyle, killed after the leaving the military and while he was at a gun range with a vet suffering from PTSD.
“Good Riddance,” wrote one. “What goes around comes around,” sneered another.
Kyle is an American hero, a sniper so effective in Iraq that terrorists put a bounty on his head. But the movie is a liberal’s nightmare and the anti-gun coalition’s supporters have been eager to condemn it and keep it out of the Oscar spotlight.
It is expected to be a hit, and the organizations and companies that support the coalition directly and indirectly could see fire from their right flank for not moving in to stop the attack on Kyle.
Second Vote, a group that grades corporate politics, has identified several sponsors of the Coalition, such as the Urban League and YWCA, which get backing from Pepsi, Walmart, Kroger, the NFL and Macy’s. Their support opens them up to potential boycotts.
“Americans’ voices don’t end on Election Day, they continue with the dollars they spend every day,” said Chris Walker, executive director of 2nd Vote, which unearthed some of the disturbing comments. “The companies and groups that are financially supporting outrageous comments like these need to explain why they continue to receive their support or risk a financial backlash as consumers might choose to take their money elsewhere.”
TEAM BUSH SNIFFING AROUND FOR 2016 STAFF
Calls from Florida are starting to ring in Washington as Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential team begins to hunt for a campaign staff.
Insiders reveal that the Republican is sniffing around for a spokesman, communications director and even campaign manager.
“It’s smart for him to start this soon. He’s already established himself as the front-runner and the top talent will be ready to work for him,” said one who received a call.
Bushies are targeting the National Republican Senatorial Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee. In focus are NRSC Executive Director Rob Collins and Communications Director Brad Dayspring as well as Ken Spain, former NRSC communications director.
GOP ARE TOWN HALL KINGS
Democrats have been talking about “transparency” and outreach ever since President Obama came into office, but it’s the Republicans who are the most accessible to voters.
According to a calculation of events by Capitol Hill watchers at LegiStorm, Republicans held nearly twice as many town halls as Democrats last year.
The numbers: 2,700 town halls, with 1,712 by Republicans and 977 by Democrats.
When we asked Illinois Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren about the trend, he said, “It’s a great tool to reach many people who can’t always travel far for an in-person meeting.”
HUMANE SOCIETY DOUBLES DOWN ON LEAD AMMO
Congressional and court action blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from banning the use of lead ammunition isn’t tripping up the Humane Society of the United States, now focused on a new legislative bid to ban the ammo for sport hunting on national parks and national wildlife refuges.
Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle told the Washington Examiner that the effort is focused on requiring some agencies within the Interior Department, specifically parks and refuges, to stop the use of lead bullets. The group and others say 10 million to 20 million animals a year from 130 species are poisoned eating the spent bullets and pellets from shotgun shells.
“We are committed to the legislation and we will be working with our allies in Congress to get it introduced,” Pacelle said.
QUOTED
“The Cold War was something that lasted, what, 30-40 years? I don’t think this is going to last that long. There may be a period of real frost.”
Zbigniew Brzezinski, Carter-era national security adviser, on a Center for Strategic and International Studies podcast discussing differences between the West and Russian President Vladimir Putin over his capture of Crimea and fight with Ukraine.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
