Republican candidates for statewide office pledged during the weekend to continue defending the Second Amendment -- and took aim at Democrats who, they said, are working to undermine the right to bear arms.
With Republicans hitting the First Coast Saturday to attend a tea party event in St. Augustine and a picnic in Jacksonville, the candidates showed up at the Southern Classic Gun Show at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, in the shadow of EverBank Stadium where the Jacksonville Jaguars play.
Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the Republican nominee in the U.S. Senate race, received a rousing reception from attendees and vendors. He vowed if he was elected, he would continue to defend the Second Amendment.
The Second Amendment is one of the distinctive features of our Constitution, Rubio told a cheering crowd.
Rubio added that, if elected, he would take the Second Amendment into consideration when he voted for judges to the Supreme Court of the United States. Its not about the laws we pass, he said. Its about the judges.
While Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Gov. Charlie Crist, a former Republican who is now running without party affiliation, backed President Barack Obamas appointment of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, Rubio opposed the nomination.
Rubio spent a half-hour attending the gun show, meeting with vendors and even quickly trying on a ballistic vest. He also met with volunteers who were manning a table for the statewide Republican candidates and some local candidates including Sen. John Thrasher of Jacksonville and Mike Yost who is challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown.
Miamian Rubio was not the only Republican to attend the event. Rick Scott, Republican gubernatorial nominee, made an appearance before heading for the tea party event in St. Augustine. Thrasher, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, whose district office is in Jacksonville, attended the show accompanied by Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach, the Republican candidate for state CFO, and former Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi, the GOP candidate for attorney general.
Were proud every one of us has been backed by the NRA, said Thrasher.
I am very blessed to receive an 'A'-rating from the NRA, said Bondi, who engaged in friendly banter with Atwater -- saying the fact she has never held elective office prevented her from getting an A-plus -- the grade the NRA gave to the Senate president. Bondi also commented on the grade received by another senator, Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, the Democratic candidate in the attorney general race. My opponent has an 'F', she said.
Bondi won cheers for vowing to fight for Second Amendment rights and for pledging to defend the 10th Amendment -- and continue the legal challenge launched by current Attorney General Bill McCollum against new, President Barack Obama-backed federal health-care laws.
Talking to Sunshine State News, Bondi said that one of the chief differences between her and Gelber is on McCollums lawsuit. My opponent says the day he is elected, he will dismiss that lawsuit, she said.
While Atwater pledged to defend the right to bear arms, he also touched base on economic issues. We dont need to spend as much as were spending, he said, noting that protecting the checkbook is also important.
Atwater was clearly pleased by the "A-plus" grade he received from the NRA -- as well as the association's endorsement Friday.
"On a day that celebrates the wisdom of the founders who established our nation and created our Constitution, it is a great honor to have my work to protect our freedoms acknowledged," Atwater said Friday, when the NRA announced it was backing his campaign over Democratic nominee Loranne Ausley, a former state representative.
"No other candidate in this race has the background of dedicated legislative service that you have demonstrated to the cause of freedom, the Second Amendment and protection of constitutional rights, wrote Marion Hammer of the NRA to Atwater.
Bill Bunting, who handles Second Amendment issues for the RPOF and is a Republican state committeeman from Pasco County, praised the candidates for their commitment to the right to bear arms and for going through NRA and concealed-weapons classes. He especially praised Bondis marksmanship.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
