NASHVILLE — A prominent gun-rights supporter who surprised many Republicans by endorsing Democrat Mike McWherter for governor said today he has switched his support to Republican Bill Haslam.
Bob Pope, who formerly operated gun shows and now publishes the Tennessee Patriot, said in an interview that he changed his mind after the McWherter campaign decided to bring in former President Bill Clinton for a rally and fundraiser.
“It is Clinton coming in and endorsing him,” said Pope, a longtime Clinton critic who still faults Clinton for pushing the so-called “assault” weapons ban as president. “There’s no way I can be associated with Bill Clinton in any way.”
The rally is set for Thursday in Nashville.
During the GOP gubernatorial primary, Pope had endorsed Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville.
Pope said he didn’t like Knoxville Mayor Haslam’s positions on several Second Amendment-related issues, including his one-time membership in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Haslam quit the Bloomberg group when it became an issue in the primary issue.
“Let me tell you something,” Pope said. “Bill Clinton trumps Bloomberg.”
McWherter spokesman Shelby White said Pope is “being pressured to take this position.”
“And clearly, Bill Haslam feels he needs some cover on the Second Amendment because of his history on this issue,” White said.
Pope said he’s not happy that McWherter sees a need for “tweaking” a law passed this year to allow permit-holders to bring their guns in to places where alcohol is served.
Pope said a Republican state senator, whom he would not identify, told him about the planned Clinton appearance “and said I need to come aboard and go with Haslam.”
He said he doesn’t believe Haslam was ever “anti-gun” and added that the nominee in recent weeks has outlined positions that he is more comfortable with on Second Amendment issues.
Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, ...
I like Bob Pope, but in this race he should be running from both of these candidates. Haslam has a past affiliation with Bloomburg's group that makese instantly dis-trust anything he has to say in support of gun rights.
As McWherter.... We need to "tweak" the concealed carry law for establishments that serve alcohol? Please, someone, anyone tell me of just one incident that a permit holder has been involved in any kind of problem while carrying at an establishment that serves alcohol. You can even include the 35 other states that allow carry where alcohol is served and you still won't come up with one. The only "tweaking" that our carry law needs is to become more like Utah or Oregon or Alabama where virtually nothing is off limits, including schools.
Then maybe we won't call out the police, sheriff, swat, national guard, TBI..... Because someone drops a bullet in his pocket while doing his business in a bathroom at Tennessee Tech.
McWherter is a liberal, he will follow the liberal establishment blindly. I will hold my nose and vote for Haslam
indian lets be fair, by his (obummer) own proclomation, he is a product of mixed races, that means the white side is just as useless as the black side, but the muslim part need to go.
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