Democrats Say NRA Will Not Sway Sotomayor Vote

By Seth Stern | July 30, 2009 5:14 PM | | Comments (0)

Democratic Senators say their decision about whether to support Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court is not being swayed by the National Rifle Association's decision to use the vote to evaluate lawmakers.

"I think the fact the NRA is scoring that vote is dumb," said Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who predicted it will have no effect on how Democrats' vote.

"I'll be surprised if she doesn't get everybody's support," McCaskill said.

Among the pro-gun rights Democrats who intend to vote for Sotomayor are Evan Bayh of Indiana, who faces reelection in 2010 and last week voted in favor amendment that would have allowed licensed gun owners to carry concealed firearms across state lines.

Jon Tester, D-Mont., said Thursday he will also support Sotomayor.

Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said he will wait to announce his decision until next week but said the NRA scoring "is not going to effect how I vote."

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