As Twitchy reported, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on Friday were applauding companies for suspending discount programs for NRA members and urging other companies to join in.
After all, they argued, the NRA incites violence with its ads and attacks America’s law enforcement officers — news to us, certainly.
On Saturday morning, though, Scarborough seemed to soften a bit on his stance toward the NRA. Here’s Parkland school shooting survivor Cameron Kasky:
To those following our message, please remember the difference between the NRA as an organization and the members of the NRA. The vast majority of NRA members are decent people. Patriots. Our issue is not with them individually.#NeverAgain #MarchForOurLives
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) February 23, 2018
Sorry, guy — we appreciate that you’ve been traumatized by an unspeakable attack, but the NRA is its members. But back to Scarborough:
This is a critical point. A handful of NRA DC lobbyists live in a bubble, attack law enforcement officers and incite violence with ads. The overwhelming number of NRA members are patriotic, respect the law and disagree with the DC lobbyists’ most extreme views. https://t.co/bqUq3EI8Sp
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 24, 2018
Oh, so it’s the handful in D.C. that attack law enforcement and incite violence with ads, while the majority of members “respect the law” and — get this — “disagree with the D.C. lobbyists’ most extreme views.” If that were true, the NRA’s membership would be dropping precipitously — why pay dues to a lobbying group that you disagree with?
In any case, Mary Katherine Ham noted that Scarborough had walked back his stance on the NRA quite a bit; maybe the demonization campaign wasn’t working?
This is a significant shift in messaging. The results of the week of demonization not so great, I guess. https://t.co/MuJOLF388n
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) February 24, 2018
Scarborough disagrees and says he’s been saying the same thing for years: NRA members are good, patriotic folk, but the leaders inside the D.C. bubble are extremists.
Messaging? I’ve been saying the same thing for years. And if anyone thinks the NRA has had a great week of “messaging”, they’re operating in an alternate reality. Neither side should demonize.
See @DavidAFrench. https://t.co/ndz5mgjHNd— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 24, 2018
Look at how many sponsors the NRA has lost this week. Make no mistake, the NRA is losing ground by the day. If you can't see that then you're more biased than I thought.
But there's room for nuance and understanding on both sides. Not every member of the NRA is evil.
— Nate Manzo (@NateasaurusMex) February 24, 2018
That’s generous … but not what we’ve been hearing. How about that “Kill the NRA” billboard? Does that mean just kill the D.C. lobbyists?
The NRA did not lose “sponsors.” These are companies that offered small discounts to NRA members.
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) February 24, 2018
Sponsors was the wrong word, you're right. But the point is the brand is becoming toxic to the point companies no longer want to be associated with them.
— Nate Manzo (@NateasaurusMex) February 24, 2018
It’s always about money and my guess is, these companies didn’t see a significant revenue stream from the discount programs. It’s an easy PR decision on their part.
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) February 24, 2018
I've never used any discount program, and I've been AAA vastly longer than NRA.
— Downey Woodpecker (@KieranEleison) February 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/WhiteBlazeHiker/status/967423881643544578
Correct. If anything, this kind of behavior (calling the NRA a terrorist organization, mass murderers, etc) will only make them stronger. Kind of like how Barack Obama was the best gun salesman in recorded history!
— Will (@WillOfRightsTX) February 24, 2018
WE are the NRA. They forget that.
— KJV (@LB1524) February 24, 2018
Exactly. The NRA doesn’t sell guns; it sells memberships to millions of like-minded individuals.
I highly doubt anybody has un-joined the NRA now that they can't get discounts on car rentals at Hertz or flights on Delta but you do you liberals.
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) February 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/JammieWF/status/967444755264212992
Related:
‘I can’t even’! Joe Scarborough & Mika Brzezinski’s new line of attack on NRA sends heads to desks
‘No one is SCARED of YOU.’ Dan Bongino makes an ASS of Joe Scarborough with his own SCARY words
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