By Greg Halbleib
As Democratic members of Congress continue their push for stricter gun laws, a Republican strategist has a reminder that they face a huge obstacle.
Former Illinois GOP chairman Pat Brady tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he agrees that some reasonable changes are due, but the National Rifle Association wields plenty of power against tighter restrictions.
“The background check kind of stuff is really common sense and the overwhelming majority of people support it, but you can never underestimate the power of the NRA,” said Brady, “They control a lot of legislation. I’m not sure it’s always in the best interest of the country, but they’re certainly powerful.”
Brady says last night’s Republican move to shut down Democratic protests over the gun debate was not the GOP’s best look.
Brady says Donald Trump’s campaign for president is losing steam, and he wants to see a last-ditch effort to install a more viable candidate. Brady says Trump is falling behind on campaign money and support, and the GOP needs a candidate the entire party supports.
“I’m not voting for him,” Brady said about Trump, “but it’s a tough pill to swallow to pull the lever for Secretary Clinton. What I’m hoping at the convention is efforts I’m involved in to amend the rules to allow delegates to vote their consciences and maybe we can get a candidate who can actually win.”
Brady says he expects state lawmakers to figure enough of a spending plan to send funding to schools before classes begin this fall. Brady says there will be opposition to any attempts to incorporate a Chicago schools bailout.
“Chicago public schools are bankrupt, and it’s just a matter of what we going to do,” said Brady. “I think the governor is right not to stick downstaters and suburban people with the mess Chicago schools have created and the debt they have accumulated over the years.”
Brady says although House Speaker Mike Madigan has cancelled Wednesday sessions for the last three weeks, lawmakers are still working in committees to form a new budget.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
