WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association’s threat to punish senators who vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been met with a shrug by Democrats from conservative-leaning states and some Republicans who are breaking with their party to support her.
The gun-rights group is used to getting its way by spooking lawmakers about the political consequences of defying its wishes. But it never before has weighed in on a Supreme Court confirmation battle.
It was cautious about breaking that pattern, and it looks like a losing fight to defeat President Barack Obama’s first pick for the court.
Sotomayor is expected to easily win confirmation in a vote this week that could deflate the long-accepted truism in Washington that you don’t cross the NRA.
Those voting “yes” will include:
• A-plus-rated and NRA-endorsed Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.
• Another Montana Democrat, A-rated Sen. Jon Tester.
• A-rated and NRA-endorsed Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, the only GOP leader to back Sotomayor.
That is not to say that the NRA’s late decision to wade in hasn’t had an impact.
Many Republicans who were considered possible “yes” votes for Sotomayor — including Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison — have come out against her after the NRA’s announcement, citing gun-rights concerns as an important reason.
Some Democrats who have high NRA ratings, including Alaska Sen. Mark Begich and Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, are on the fence. Still, the NRA’s threats seem to hold less potency on this vote.
Asked whether he was worried about ruining his perfect NRA score and endorsement by opting to vote for Sotomayor, Nelson paused and said with a smile, “I’d probably have a good rating regardless.”
