I've been watching it like a hawk all weekend, and like you, I suspect it went into damage control mode ASAP and have been in it all weekend trying to hash out talking points. The fact that it had nothing for their surrogates to say on the Sunday morning talk shows is quite interesting. I'm wondering if all hell has broken loose within the executive ranks of the NRA, especially for them to not have a response by now. To be a fly on the wall there!
Timing is everything, and for the NRA, the Sandy Hook shooting couldn't come at a worse time and place. After telling us shooting after shooting this year that "now is not the time to discuss the politics of the matter," THIS massacre goes completely against the NRA's game plan, which Wayne LaPierre usually phoned in.
Also from a PR standpoint, the NRA is running out of time to effectively state its case. Once the funerals are televised 24/7 this week showing teddy bears on the coffins, and Diane Sawyer nabs her inevitable primetime exclusive with the grieving families sitting in front of their Christmas trees with presents that will never be opened, the NRA is going to suffer a blow similar to how Rush Limbaugh took it in the shorts commenting about Sandra Fluke. And when Congress reconvenes, gun control legislation is going to be at the top of the agenda with much of the public's support.
It'll be interesting and disgusting watching the balloons being floated on talk radio this week. But I think business as usual for the NRA is going to work against the organization.
Good.